ERCC DEVOTIONAL (TEKAN) DAILY SPIRITUAL DIET; THURSDAY 16TH NOVEMBER, 2023.
JOHN 8: 21 - 30.
_SPIRITUAL FOCUS: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JESUS AND THE PHARISEES.—
The Pharisees were proud people due to the knowledge they profess have, which is their greatest pride. Their hypocritical lifestyle makes them always be on the lookout for criminals.
This is very clear about Jesus. Ever time Jesus spoke to them, he was doing it by the power of God. In today reading He said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, bi where I go you cannot go" and "you will die in your sins" (verse 21).
Jesus said this because the Pharisees failed to recognize Him as the Messiah ant rejected Him. He will be going to the Father by giving His life on the cross for the salvation of mankind. This, the Pharisees could not do because al they do was by their own power.
Therefore, they are spiritually blind so the cannot understand everything that Jesus is saying to them. Today, we have many "Pharisees" among us. They are proud of their worldly knowledge and they often argue about spiritual matters.
Jesus Christ is sinless, always showing kindness to people. Because of their misunderstanding, the Pharisees asked, "Is He going to kill himself?" (vs 22). Perhaps they asked because Jesus said that they would die in their sins. Yes, indeed, because of their wickedness, if they do not repent, they will surely die. This is also relevant to us in our day.
We need to repent, turn around, and return to the Lord. If not, we'll die like the Pharisees in our sins.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Today is your chance to repent.
PRAYER: Lord God, help me to do Your will in my actions and words in the name of Christ Jesus, Amen.
JOHN 8: 21 - 30 (AMP).
21 Therefore He said again to them, I am going away, and you will be looking for Me, and you will die in (under the curse of) your sin. Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come.
22 At this the Jews began to ask among themselves, Will He kill Himself? Is that why He says, Where I am going, it is not possible for you to come?
23 He said to them, You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world (of this earthly order); I am not of this world.
24 That is why I told you that you will die in (under the curse of) your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He [Whom I claim to be—if you do not adhere to, trust in, and rely on Me], you will die in your sins.
25 Then they said to Him, Who are You anyway? Jesus replied, [Why do I even speak to you!] I am exactly what I have been telling you from the first.
26 I have much to say about you and to judge and condemn. But He Who sent Me is true (reliable), and I tell the world [only] the things that I have heard from Him.
27 They did not perceive (know, understand) that He was speaking to them about the Father.
28 So Jesus added, When you have lifted up the Son of Man [on the cross], you will realize (know, understand) that I am He [for Whom you look] and that I do nothing of Myself (of My own accord or on My own authority), but I say [exactly] what My Father has taught Me.
29 And He Who sent Me is ever with Me; My Father has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.
30 As He said these things, many believed in Him [trusted, relied on, and adhered to Him].
