February 2 Of One Mind

John 7:25-26 At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? 26 Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Christ?”
 
HAVE you ever been at a lecture when a group around you begins a separate conversation? They disturb and confuse your listening, don’t they? Or maybe people arrive late to the class to ask questions on topics already covered, disrupting delaying the teaching.
   It seems these disruptive circumstances threatened Jesus’ teaching. Some had earlier asked in v. 20 “Who is trying to kill you?” as if they knew nothing of the Jews’ desire. And here the question is, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill?” The people who had come to the Feast had come from many regions and were unaware of the Jews’ motives. No one completely understands Jesus’ words and the reasons for his message. Is anyone really listening to him?
   John records the crowd’s confusion to highlight the Jewish people’s gross misunderstanding regarding Jesus. The Jews – the authorities – “tried all the harder to kill him” (John 5:18b). But they let him speak here. Some in the crowd then asked, “Who is trying to kill you?” (John 7:20b). And now they ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill?” Fragmented by lack of knowledge and preconceived ideas, all the people need to stop talking and begin to listen to Jesus’ clarifying Word.
   The people’s confusion is the devil’s weapon. Confused minds cannot grasp the truth. Separated groups have their own agenda. Questioning hearts are too often centered on their own answers.
   One reason the apostle Paul wrote his epistles, his teaching letters, was to clarify confusing teachings in the early church. The Bible and church history record many different groups and doctrines formed in response to Jesus’ gospel. Some were true to Christ as people believed in God and believed his Word. Others were confused, holding to old rules or developing new false teachings. To the Evil One’s delight, confusion weakened and threatened the church’s viability.
   Here Paul responds to this in the Galatian church. Galatians 1:7b Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
   Do you know Jesus’ true gospel? Do you know how to listen to Jesus? Or are you debating his words in your private group? Are your ears attentive to Scripture? Or do you arrive late to the study or resist true doctrine because it offends you? Are you united with others in Jesus’ church to listen and follow Jesus’ teachings?
   This is God’s will for your faith. Be quiet with God. Hear him speak. Listen closely and know.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray your church is mindful, “There is one body and one Spirit—just as we were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph 4:4-6) May the confusion stop. Amen.