I got a great diversity of opinions about Jesus in today's reading. In John 7, many of the religious leaders hated Jesus, and some of the general public took Him for a fraud. However, there were others who saw His real identity - a revelation from God, no doubt. Just in case you are wondering about His identity, Jesus clarifies in Rev. 1:
4 ... Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him.And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One." ...17 ... "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
Well, now that we know Who He Is, what are we supposed to do about it? Jude helps us out with this one:
17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God's Spirit in them. 20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love. 22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. 24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise you for being eternal, omniscient, and sovereign. I praise you because you are so worthy to be praised! I humble myself before you. Thank you for bringing me into your family; thank you for making me your child. Lord, I pray that I would live like you charge us to at the end of Jude. I pray that I would have a better understanding of who Jesus is and that He will be the focus of my existence. I pray this in His wonderful name. Amen.
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