Do You Believe Jesus?

Monday, March 16th, 2026

5 am

Good morning! Today I am in John 7:10-31. After Jesus' brothers left to go to the Festival of Shelters, Jesus also went. But Jesus went quietly, staying out of public view because the Jewish religious leaders were looking for Him. There were a lot of people in the crowd talking about Jesus, and who they thought He was. Some said He was a good man, but some said He was a fraud who deceives people. But no one had the courage to speak favorably about Him because they were afraid of getting in trouble. Then, midway through the Festival, Jesus went into the Temple and began to teach. The crowd was amazed and wondered were He got His knowledge from because they knew He had not been trained. But Jesus knew what they were saying, and He told them that His message was not His own, that the One who sent Him gave it to Him. And anyone who wants to do the will of God would know whether His teaching was from God or from Himself. He tells them that anyone who speaks for themselves wants glory for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the One who sent him speaks truth not lies. Then He tells them that Moses gave them the law, but none of them obey it, and they were trying to kill Him. The crowd then shouted, "You're demon possessed! Who's trying to kill you?" Jesus goes on to tell them that He did one miracle on the Sabbath, and they were amazed, but they work on the Sabbath, circumcising their sons if the required day falls on the Sabbath. So He asks them why should they be angry with Him for healing on the Sabbath? He tells them to look beneath the surface so they could judge correctly. Then some of the people began asking each other if this was the man they were trying to kill? Saying that He was there teaching, but they were not doing anything to Him, wondering if they might think He was the Messiah. But some said, "How could He be the Messiah, for we know where He comes from?" Saying that when the Messiah came, He would just appear. Jesus knew what they were saying and He told them that yes they knew where He came from but He was not there on His own, and the One who sent Him is true, but they do not know Him. But Jesus tells them that He knows Him, for He sent Him to them. Then the leaders tried to arrest Him, but they could not get their hands on Him because His time had not yet come. Many in the crowd believed Him, saying, "Would you expect the Messiah to do more miracles than this man?"

Jesus had told His brothers that He was not going to Jerusalem for the Festival in John 7:8, but He ended up going secretly. He knew the leaders were trying to kill Him, so He went quietly. Even though He faced persecution, Jesus went to teach the people. Many people around the world face persecution for teaching the Good News, even in the United States there are places that don't want you teaching publicly. But Jesus doesn't want us to be afraid to step out for Him. He wants us to be bold and courageous for Him, and He will give us the right words to say at the right time. He doesn't want us to just talk about Him when we are in church, but speaking to others about Him wherever we are. But we first have to make up our minds about Him for ourselves, then accept Him into our lives, repenting from our sins, and giving Him our hearts.

The people that were in the crowd were questioning who Jesus was. They were not sure what they believed, plus they were afraid to speak up. We each question if Jesus is who He says He is, or if God even exists. And it is a question that has eternal consequences. But we must answer it for ourselves, no one else can do it for us. If you are questioning today? I want you to know that this is normal. The world tells us so many different things, just like these people were saying. And if you are questioning, God is calling you. When Jesus called each of the disciples, they too had to decide. It was not an easy decision, and we see the trials they went through and the doubts they had. That is the amazing thing about the Bible, God's Word! God shows us how every person questioned, doubted, and the trials they went through, and then their ultimate decision in the end. Don't think you are alone. It is okay to question. The more you question and search for yourself, the more He will show you.

Seek Him if you question, and know that God hears you, and He will answer you. But make sure you are giving Him the time and space to show you. He works in everyone of our lives differently. Your journey may not look just like someone else's, so don't be discouraged. Keep searching, and you will find (Matthew 7:8). Then make the decision for yourself. Remembering, that the answer you give is the most important answer you will give because it determines where you will spend eternity, heaven or hell. The choice is yours.