John 7 21 to 30

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.
22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

Key Observation:
At this point in Jesus’ ministry, the Jewish leaders were actively trying to kill Him.

Devotion:
Christmas morning here. Not the same as it was when I had my young children over. By now we would have exchanged gifts among the kids, and Mom and I might be getting ready for a nap, which the noisy children would not let us have anyway. I will be going to my daughter’s this afternoon, and can expect lots of noise then, but right now the house is so quiet.
I notice that Jesus is having to fend for his own life, but the Scripture is very clear to us that Jesus gave His life, and no man took it from Him. In statements like that I see the awesome sovereignty of God complementing the willful sinfulness of man, for it can be argued that the ruler’s intent to destroy Christ did find ultimate success. I wonder at the might of our God, who is able to take the wayward hearts of men, and design a plan for the rescue of the world. Divine sovereignty and free choice of men quilting together in a tapestry too complicated for me to understand!
Which brings me to what I would like to show this morning, and that is the fulfillment of God’s prophecies concerning the birth of Jesus. I am using Josh McDowell’s Evidence that Demands a Verdict, and only treating the main prophecies.

By presenting these few proofs, (there are many many more) I would like to show there is credible proof of Jesus being whom He said He was. Presenting proofs will never convince the hard skeptic, for a veil remains over his heart lest he should see and repent. Rather these verses are to show that there is much credible reason for believing that something incredible happened to mankind some two thousand years ago. Our gracious and loving God made a path whereby we might be restored to Him, and believing, be saved.
Happy Birthday Jesus!

Angels We Have Heard on High

1. Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o'er the plains:
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav'nly song?
3. Come to Bethlehem, and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
4. See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
Chorus:
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Lyrics: French carol