Hi and welcome to Wednesday’s podcast. My name is Alan and today it is my great pleasure to be trekking with you through the middle chapters of John’s gospel. Our hope at STC is that the podcasts together with the Grow project will help us to centre our whole lives on Jesus throughout the week.

REFLECTION:

Today’s reading is from John 7:14-34. Today’s focus verses are 16 and 17.

Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.  Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.

Today I want to ask the question, “who do you listen to, who do you trust?”

We live in a world of Fake News. Donald Trump tweets his version of the truth scores and scores of times a day. And he lambasts any journalists who speaks counter to his version of the ‘facts’, accusing them of spreading fake news. Boris Johnson, a Tory leadership contender, until recently, was faced with a civil action over his false claims made whilst campaigning for Brexit. The internet is awash with opinions and comment. It is easy to get lost not knowing what or who to believe.

So who do we listen to? Who do you trust to tell you the truth?

For the news or current affairs do we turn to the BBC, Sky, Channel 4, The Sun, The Times, Laura Kuenssberg or John Snow?

Or how about parenting, whose advice do we follow? Gina Ford, Annabell Karnell or Super Nanny Jo Ford?

In the Alpha Film Series videos… when we want to talk about science and religion, on the screen is an eminent scientist, because he’s studied… he’s studied an awful lot… his opinion holds weight. When we talk about life transformation, on the screen is an ex-prisoner who knew a thing or two about turning from darkness to light. He’s the expert, his story proves what we are trying to say.

This was also the case in Jesus’ day. Rabbis would quote the great Rabbis and so this would lend weight and authority to their words.

But…

Jesus quoted… no-one… Not a single reference to a scholar or a teacher of the law… Not one.

Who on earth does he think he is?

Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.

This Jesus is expressing his opinion and claiming that his teaching is from God! And the leaders weren’t convinced by the miracles, the healings, the signs and wonders, they were not enough. So Jesus prove it! Prove that your words are from God.

To which he replied,

Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.

That was the challenge to the Jewish elite, it was the challenge to the rank and file Jews and it is the challenge to us today. Do we want to know God? Then it’s simple: live out Jesus’ teaching. We want to know what God’s will is for us? Then we simply have to put Jesus’ words into practice.

You see, this is what it means to be a disciple… it’s what it meant to be a disciple 2000 years ago and it is what it means to be a disciple today. As an apprentice we learn from Jesus and we follow his example, we trust his words… by carrying out his instructions.

To add weight to my argument I will quote Mahatma Gandhi! He said, “If Christians would really live according to the teaching of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today.”

If we Christians would really live according to the teaching of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of England would be Christian today. But it will mean that the way we live our lives might change dramatically. Are we all in?

So, two little question for us to ponder today: Which words of Jesus are we consciously trying to put into practice? Which part of the sermon on the mount or which Parable? Let’s name it, let’s ask others to pray and to hold us to account…

And question 2.

Who do we quote to those around us?