As we journey together through Lent, Christians throughout Columbia will be sharing their own beautifully written personal meditations. Each will be accompanied by a corresponding scripture reading, and be linked to that passage in the Holy Bible. If you would like to join us on Columbia’s Lenten journey, please submit your personal meditation by email. Especially meaningful submissions will be printed. Let us continue our Lenten journey, day by day, to its glorious culmination on Easter Sunday.
Scripture reading: John 7:1-13
Jesus remained in Galilee since the Jewish leaders were trying to find a way to kill Him. It was time for the Feast of Tabernacles in Judea. Jesus’ brothers encouraged Him to go. They wanted Jesus to make a public appearance at the celebration. They wanted Jesus to show His miraculous works, for even they had a hard time believing in Him. Jesus’ brothers wanted to follow a popular leader, not one who did miracles in secret.
Jesus, however, was not influenced by what His brothers wanted Him to do. He remained obedient to God’s timing and God’s will even though it went against popular opinion. “I can testify that its (the world’s) works are evil.”
Sometimes I need to go against popular opinion to remain obedient to God. My prayer is that I will remain obedient in this situation and not be influenced by my family or friends. Isn’t that how I show my love for God? If I am too comfortable in this world, am I truly being obedient to God?
Jesus did end up going to the festival, but on His own terms and secretly. He had to do it this way because the Jewish leaders would make it more difficult for Him if He went publicly. Sometimes it was necessary for Jesus to work and teach quietly in order to be effective. There was whispering among the crowds at the festival both in favor of Jesus and against Jesus. But the crowds would not speak publicly about Jesus for fear of the Jewish leaders.
If I had been there, would I have spoken publicly about Jesus or whispered so the leaders wouldn’t hear me? And today – will I acknowledge Jesus before others, choose to be obedient to God, or remain with popular opinion?
Emily Moses
Columbia, South Carolina
You might also like to read:
- Bible Verse of the Day
- Daily Bible Guide
- Growing in Christ
- Bible Study Tools Online
- The Jesus Walk Bible Study Series
A discussion of today’s Lenten meditation is encouraged. If you would like to participate, please feel free to write a comment in the space below. There are many different outlooks and interpretations of scripture passages and, the more we share, the more we learn.
Sharon is a member of the Community Church of the Midlands that meets at Seven Oaks Community Center at 200 Leisure Lane in Columbia and is a frequent participant, with her husband Douglas, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral located at 1100 Sumter Street in Columbia.
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If you enjoyed this article, you can find more at Sharon's Columbia Biblical Studies Examiner homepage.
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