Oct 18. John 7. Marnica Brown
Everyone's Talking About Jesus
Jesus left an impression wherever he went. Everyone had something to say about him and his teachings. Some people in the crowd believed him to be a good man, a prophet and even the Messiah. Others believed he was deceiver and demon-possessed. Even Jesus’s own brothers had a hard time believing in him. Some people were amazed at his teaching and his signs, while others were hostile, and others doubted that he could be the Messiah because they thought they knew where he was from. Whatever they believed about Jesus, not many were willing to express their beliefs publicly out of fear of the Jewish leaders. Many people were talking about Jesus privately, whispering about him, but few of them were saying anything out loud due to fear. Fear can stifle us as well. It can stop us from speaking up and proclaiming Jesus and his words to others. We can be fearful of rejection, ridicule, being different, standing out, not having the perfect words to say and so many other things.
Do we only talk about Jesus with those in the church or those that we know feel the same way about Jesus that we do? Are we only whispering about Jesus as to not disturb those around us that don’t know Jesus or don’t believe in him? Jesus himself tells us in Matthew 10:32 that if we acknowledge him before others, he will acknowledge us before God. The reverse is also true. Jesus says in Luke 9:27 that if we are ashamed of him and his words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of us. How are you acknowledging Jesus in your life, in your home, with your family, at your job, in your school, wherever you are?
When we are faced with fear, we don’t have to let it overcome us. Jesus promised that if we believe in him rivers of living water will flow from within. In the waters of baptism, we were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. When we fan into flame the Holy Spirit living inside of us, we can conquer that fear. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:7-8a NLT)