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Teaching That Makes Sense To Some And Not To Others

John 14:22-24
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, ‘But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?’ Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. (NIVUK)

The Last Supper was a special private time for Jesus alone with His disciples.  These were His last hours before being arrested, falsely tried, wrongly convicted and cruelly crucified.  Judas Iscariot, the traitor, had already left the Upper Room to do his wicked work of betraying the Son of God with Satan’s help (John 13:25-30).  In that room, there were no crowds to teach, no sick people to heal or any demons to expel.  It was Jesus’ last opportunity to be fully open with His remaining disciples about their ongoing relationship with Himself, the Father and the Holy Spirit.
 
It was such important teaching that Judas asked why they were the only people to hear it.  Jesus’ answer was that He would only disclose such precious, personal information to the people who loved Him – and who proved it by obeying what He taught.  There was no value in sharing with people who had already proved they had no desire to obey Him.  As Jesus said in Matthew 7:6, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” That may sound a hard message, but precious information about important relationships must be treated preciously.

The relationship that Jesus and the Father desired with all who believe is to make Their home with them.  This is such a powerful truth.  All who believe in Jesus, who receive Him (John 1:12), not only receive the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) but also the Father and the Son choose to abide in that person.  The converse is also true – that those who do not love Jesus or obey Him are arrogant rebels who have no right to demand God to reveal Himself … but when through grace they do, and repentance flows, even such Jesus-haters as the Apostle Paul can be saved (Galatians 1:13-24).
 
The same passage of Scripture will stir love, worship and obedience in some people, while others have no interest.  Indeed, the attitude of people to God’s Word shows what sort of relationship they have with Him.  If you love Him, You will want to hear Him speak to you through the Scriptures; and having heard you will obey.  Many claim to have so-called ‘intellectual difficulties’ with the Bible, but really they have moral difficulties within their own hearts: instead of honouring God’s authority they assert their own; and instead of obeying they want to argue!  If they keep ignoring what God says, they will stop hearing Him.  But the more we obey, His Word will become more precious and relevant, and our love for Him will grow too.

Prayer 
Heavenly Father. Thank You for the privilege of letting me know what Jesus said to His disciples, and for giving me a desire to learn more so that I can grow in my relationship with You. I am sorry for the times when I have not taken Your Word seriously so that I could be disobedient. Please forgive me and help me to understand that my relationship with You will only grow as I take Your Word seriously and put it into practice. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams