trusted online casino malaysia
Realizing the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.
The DEEP

"Canceling" Jesus

It's nothing new.

John 7:14–24

Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”

Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”

The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”

Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel. Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

Jesus is keeping His presence at the feast low key, but He shows up in the temple and teaches there. In a way, this counts as another miracle. His knowledge can’t be explained naturally. So, Jesus points out that it isn’t natural; it’s from God. “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

Then, as He always seems to do, He cranks up the volume—this time accusing them. “Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?

Their response is curious. “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”

Remember how yesterday’s lesson concluded with the point that everyone knows about the intimidation of talk about Jesus. Their tongues seem plenty loose now.

This is not a contradiction or a change in the situation. It shows that the intimidation is all on one side.

Being against Jesus is perfectly okay with the authorities.


This kind of one-sidedness is common. People have a natural tendency to suppress views they don’t like. This often turns into group-think, where an unpopular view isn’t tolerated, much less listened to.

This have been happening to an amazing extent lately. An unpopular or unorthodox view gets you canceled. Even the press, which is formally schooled in how to resist this tendency, has given in to it.

Just this last month, the press’s suppression of some views on the origin of COVID-19 resulted in some significant consumption of crow. This had led to some serious introspection, but on this one issue only.

They need a revival of objectivity.


These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Saturday DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

The weekly study guides, which include the Monday–Friday devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.

Mike Slay

As a mathematician, inventor, and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mike Slay brings an analytical, conversational, and even whimsical approach to the daily study of God's Word.

Subscribe to Ailbe Newsletters

Sign up to receive our email newsletters and read columns about revival, renewal, and awakening built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification.