What Jesus Did : John 7:28-29 - My Father Sent Me!
by Phil Ware
My Father Sent Me! - John 7:28-29
Jesus was still teaching in the temple area. Jesus said, "Yes, you know me and you know where I am from. But I have not come by my own authority. I was sent by the One (God) who is true. You don't know him. But I know him and I am from him. He sent me." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Jesus came on a mission. It wasn't a mission of his own initiative. He wasn't looking for honor for himself. He was sent to do the Father's work, to do the Father's mission, and to bring glory to the Father by completing his work. The cost was high: he gave his life to complete the Father's work. The mission was clear: to reveal the Father to us. The amazing thing about it, however, is that when Jesus leaves, he gives us a very similar mission. "Just as the Father sent me, I'm sending you!" (John 20:21). So let's live today following the example of our Savior, fully committed to represent the one who sent us and to reveal his glory and grace.
Today's Prayer
Holy God and loving Father, I confess that sometimes I see life as monotonous and predictable. I lose sight of the opportunities to do your work with each new day. Sharpen my focus God, so that I can seize the opportunities each day to help others see you more clearly. Give me passion as I face the challenges, opportunities, and yes even the monotony of each day. Empower me to live as one sent on a mission. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Then some of the people that lived in Jerusalem said, "This is the man they are trying to kill. But he is teaching where everyone can see and hear him. And no person is trying to stop him from teaching. Maybe the leaders have decided that he really is the Christ. But we know where this man's home is. And when the real Christ comes, no person will know where he comes from." Jesus was still teaching in the temple area. Jesus said, "Yes, you know me and you know where I am from. But I have not come by my own authority. I was sent by the One (God) who is true. You don't know him. But I know him and I am from him. He sent me." When Jesus said this, the people tried to get him. But no person was able to touch Jesus. It was not yet the right time {for Jesus to be killed}. But many of the people believed in Jesus. The people said, "We are waiting for the Christ to come. When the Christ comes, will he do more miracles than this man (Jesus) has done? No! {So this man must be the Christ.}" The Pharisees heard these things the people were saying about Jesus. So the leading priests and the Pharisees sent some temple police to arrest Jesus. Then Jesus said, "I will be with you people a little while longer. Then I will go back to the One (God) who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me. And you cannot come where I am." These Jews said to each other, "Where will this man go that we cannot find him? Will he go to the Greek cities where our people live? Will he teach the Greek people there? This man (Jesus) says, 'You will look for me but you will not find me.' He also says, 'You cannot come where I am.' What does this mean?"-- John 7:25-36 (ERV)
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