True Messiah

Posted by Karah

Pause

Have you ever had a preconceived idea about someone that you found out wasn’t true after you met that person or got to know them better? What happened?

Journal your thoughts.

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples.’” —John 8:31

The Jews had a lot of ideas about what the Messiah would be like and what He would do. Jesus surprised—and even upset—many of the Jewish leaders because He didn’t fit their preconceived ideas. That animosity is clear in John 8. Read John 8:31-59 in your Bible. As you read, jot down the things the Jews were depending on to make them right before God.

The Jewish leaders trusted their heritage as “children of Abraham” to make them right with God and free them from sin, but Jesus said that only He could set people free from bondage to sin. They were trusting in the wrong thing.

What “wrong things” do you see people trusting to make them right before God today? List a few ideas.

Why is a heritage or family history of faith not enough to free someone from the bondage of sin? Explain.

According to these verses, what are the characteristics of a true follower of Christ? Do those describe you? Why or why not?

The Point

We live in a world where people are putting their faith in the wrong things. We must be faithful to proclaim the truth.

Respond

Are there people in your life who are trusting in the wrong things to set them free from sin or make their lives fulfilling? Pray by name for each person the Holy Spirit brings to mind. Ask for opportunities this week to share the hope of the gospel.

How can you know what the truth is? The primary way is studying God’s Word. What steps will you take this week to commit to reading Scripture, meditating on it throughout the day, or memorizing verses? Jot down two ideas.

For further study, read 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; and Psalm 119.

Behind the Story

John 7–8 include Jesus’ teachings during the Feast of Tabernacles. During the feast, Jews would build booths in Jerusalem to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt and live in them during the seven days of the festival. Later additions to the ritual included drawing water from the pool of Siloam and lighting huge menorahs, which provide background for Jesus’ words in John 7:37-39 and 8:12.

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Weekly Devotions