Follow The Leader or Follow The Lord?

The past 2 weeks my study in the Gospel of John has focused on chapters 12-21, obviously because of the significance of the Crucifixion and blessed Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  These nine chapters are so beautiful… there are no words to express what the Holy Spirit inspired within me, with the exception of JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Abundant, fiery, overflowing, empowering JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I learned some very important truths ( 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”) and I profited much spiritually, for which I thank my Father.  There is so much I could share, but when I am impressed to explore a certain issue, I must!

The hatred of the Jewish people towards Jesus, even though all things pertaining to His life on earth and His horrible death on the cross were firmly set in Old Testament Biblical prophecy, and yet many hated Him!   I asked myself over and over as I read, how could they?  Did they not know?  Weren’t they instructed in the Temple by the Pharisees, Scribes and Chief priests?

The problem with the average, everyday Jew in Jesus time  (as I see it and Isaiah prophesied) is they listened to the leaders and NOT to the Savior Himself!

“But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:  That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled , which he spake , Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed ?  Therefore they could not believe , because that Esaias said again,  He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted , and I should heal them.  These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.  Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:  For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”  John 12:37-41

Where are you in your relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ who obediently died for our sins–yet He was without sin?  What do you believe about our Heavenly Father who raised Jesus from the dead to conquer sin and death for us?  Are you following church leaders, book authors, tele-evangelists, speakers, and on and on OR are you following the Word (John 1:1-5)?  If you’re hanging your salvation on a pastor or a church for fullness… you’re going down a very dangerous path!

• GET INTO THE WORD DAILY and I am not talking about a “quickie” 5 minute devotional!
• PRAY WITH JOY AND THANKSGIVING ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL all day long!
• DESIRE TO BE MORE LIKE OUR LORD… get hungry for His Word and needful of personal fellowship!
• GET OUT INTO YOUR WORLD  and let you light shine… speak the Gospel… and walk the walk!