IN GOD’S RECOGNITION

John 7:1-24

Tuesday, 10 February 2026

“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” –  John 7:24

There was a lot of disbelief amongst the several sections of the Jews as to who Jesus was. Some of them saw the works He did and were convinced but others looked for further evidence on whether he was truly the Christ. Even his brothers did not believe in him or his message. They were all judging by external standards!

At the beginning of our text today we see the conversation between Jesus and his brothers who were urging him to go along with them to the Feast of the Tabernacles in Jerusalem. When Jesus declined to go along, they mocked him telling him to go perform his miracles in public where people could see him and he would become popular. They weren’t able to recognize that he was God-sent with a mission, which was contrary to their viewpoint. 

How was Jesus’ reaction to their attitude? Jesus was neither provoked to anger not did he convince them. Instead, his reply was: “You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come” (V.8). Was he making an excuse? He did go later on... did he change his mind? What did his statement mean? His time to be accepted by his brothers, those of his family and those of the family of Jews, had not yet come obviously. Besides, in the programme of God, the full accomplishment of his mission had not yet come. God would orchestrate the events leading to his death and resurrection in His time plan and Jesus did not want to move away from that plan of action. 

Jesus chose a narrow path, that was lonely at times. He wasn’t trying to pull a crowd to follow him or do things to make himself popular. In continuing to do what God sent him to do and speakwhat God gave him to speak, he was not always accepted. He most often went against the conventional norm and the repercussion from the religious group was extensive. In the previous chapter, John 6 when Jesus stated that he was the bread that came from heaven and that if anyone eats of it will live forever (John 6:51), several people could not digest his teaching and left following him. Most of the crowd were only interested in his miracles and did not want a deep-rooted relationship with Jesus. To keep doing the work of God he had to keep in the company of those who believed and accepted him. The chosen twelve continued with him. 

A believer’s life and witness—his convictions, his avoidance of certain customs in the world, his keeping off wrong and ungodly company- certainly charters a lonely path most often. When a believer keeps to the narrow path avoiding many of the world’s ways, he is often misunderstood and ridiculed for the stand he takes. One is reminded of Psalm 1— where we walk, stand and sit affects our testimony, our walk with the Lord and our work for the Lord.

May the Holy Spirit and the Word of God be our constant guide that keeps us on track in God’s will and purpose.

Jesus understood his mission, kept himself in the plan of God without being swayed by public opinion or personal preferences. Popularity was not his agenda but the Purpose of God to be fulfilled in his life. How about you?

To meditate: He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” (Luke 16:15)