Verifying Truth

Verifying Truth
Words of Faith 10-27-16
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2016
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
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John 7
[10] However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. [11] Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, "Where is that man?"
[12] Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man."
Others replied, "No, he deceives the people." [13] But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.
[14] Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. [15] The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?"
[16] Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. [17] If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. [18] He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. [19] Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law.

Jesus traveled secretly to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. It was not yet the time for Him to fulfill His ultimate mission in Jerusalem.
This Feast took place for eight days in October and began with the Day of Atonement. It was one of the three great Feasts, which required the attendance of all Jewish men.
During the Feast, each family constructed a temporary shelter of branches and lived out of doors. This was a way of remembering the years of wandering in the desert and giving thanks for God’s provision for Israel in the wilderness. The Feast was also a time of thanksgiving for the fall harvest. It was a joyful celebration under crisp blue skies and cool nights. Jerusalem must have been a delightful and fascinating sight. Tabernacles would have been everywhere as families enjoyed “camping” together.
But there was a stir in the air this fall at the Feast. Jesus was the talk of the town even though no one knew quite where He was. There was “widespread whispering” about him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others replied, "No, he deceives the people." The enemies of Jesus were searching for Him. A Feast was a good place to find a Jewish man who was required to attend, but also a good place to hide among the crowds.
When Jesus finally surfaced it was to teach in the Temple courts. We don’t know what this teaching was about but it was impressive. Those who heard Jesus were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?"
Jewish teaching was always verified by the opinion or authority of a renowned Rabbi. Everyone knew that Jesus had been raised in Galilee and never studied with any of the great Rabbis, yet the profound truth that came from His words was undeniable.
Jesus also never cited the authority of a Rabbi. He spoke out of the authority of the Father and as an authority Himself as He illumined the Scripture. How could such teaching be verified as authoritative through others?
Jesus answered those who questioned His teaching credentials by saying that this truth simply comes from God. The way such truth is verified is simply to walk in it. Choosing to “do God’s will” in response to the teaching of Jesus will bring the only verification needed.
Jesus pointed out that the best-schooled teacher, who speaks apart from the directive of God, is only seeking honor for himself; but the one who works for the honor of God alone is a man of truth. As an example, there were many teachers of the Law of Moses yet not one person could say that they kept the Law in its entirety.
Jesus raised an important point. How do we verify the teaching of Jesus? How can we know that it is true? There is only one sure way and that is to walk in it. When we hear the truth of God from Jesus it may sound strange or impossible, yet when we begin to walk in that truth, we quickly find exactly why Jesus is the man of Truth. In fact, He is truth.

Lord, I want to hear clearly from You that I may walk in Your truth. Give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and faith to walk. In Jesus’ name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2002, 2016
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.