The Jews were amazed by Jesus' teaching, but they challenged Jesus' credentials (15). Jesus told them that his teaching was not his own but came from God. There was nothing false in Jesus, for he sought the glory of God. When we seek God's glory, we too become people of truth (17-18). Those who do not obey the truth cannot understand Jesus' words. A wise person once said, "Obedience is the best way to learn the will of God."

The Jews rejected Jesus and his ministry and even tried to kill him due to his unconventional attitude toward the Sabbath. They judged Jesus by appearances, not by his teaching; their judgment was biased. People doubted his identity, but Jesus declared, "I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true…I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going back to the one who sent me" (28-29, 33). Jesus is the Messiah, sent by God to bring his people back to the kingdom of God through his death and resurrection. Those with only human sight could not recognize their Messiah, but those who loved truth put their faith in him. The Pharisees failed to arrest him because God's time for him to die had not yet come.


Application: Lord, help me to do your will and seek your glory so that I may make the right judgment.
One Word: Choose to do the will of God