John 7:25-34

Be still: Lord, I thank you for this moment in your presence. Would you open my eyes to more of who you are, my ears to hear all that you want to say and my heart to the truths you want to reveal. Amen

Read: John 7:25-34

I am not here by my own authority, but He who sent me is true. (v 28) 

Encounter: Ages ago on 'Twitter', I randomly gained thousands and thousands of bot followers overnight, which after a few days became quite distressing. There is a Korean Popstar called Jungkook, whose nickname is Kookie, and these bots and fans thought I was him. I continuously received messages of how much I was loved and demands for a reply. All I kept thinking is – I’m not who you think I am!!

There is sometimes a voice in my head that whispers at different moments 'I’m not who you think I am.' Maybe you feel that way too, when there are expectations from kids, work, or others in your life. It can be overwhelming. 

In the passage we see division over who Jesus is, opinions and thoughts on whether he is the Messiah. I love Jesus’ response in verse 28 – confidence in the authority that he walks in and the one who sends him. I also love how Jesus says, 'I am not here by my own authority.' It’s a reminder to us that we are here 'in authority', it’s just it's not our own. 

So, even when days come where we feel we are not who we think we are, or situations arise where others don’t speak the truth of who we are, this passage is a reminder that we have authority. We can have confidence and boldness in what we do — because of who the Lord is. 

Apply: Challenge yourself to do one thing that feels terrifying in your own strength but possible with the Lord’s: maybe sharing your faith with someone close, sending the email you have been holding off or confronting something you have been avoiding. 

Devote: Lord, I thank you that you are true which means that your plans, promises, and ways are trustworthy. Help me to operate from a place of your authority and not from my own.