John 7:13-18 CSB
Still, nobody was talking publicly about him for fear of the Jews. [14] When the festival was already half over, Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. [15] Then the Jews were amazed and said, "How is this man so learned, since he hasn't been trained?" [16] Jesus answered them, "My teaching isn't mine but is from the one who sent me. [17] If anyone wants to do his will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. [18] The one who speaks on his own seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Glory of the Father
There is a quiet, heavy pressure we often feel to be “someone great”—to be known as special or to prove our worth to the world. We see this in the pursuit of elite education, where we can find our identity in degrees and status. We see it in the “self-made” worker who feels they must rely solely on their own strength to stay secure. This desire for recognition can even seep into the church, where we might view our ministry or our books as a way to prove we are “special” workers for God.
But there is a danger in relying on our own power. When we seek recognition for ourselves, we miss out on the beautiful freedom of giving all glory to our loving Father. He is the one who makes our work possible. He doesn’t ask us to lift ourselves up to be seen; He invites us to be a reflection of His name—a name that provides light to a dying world and a clear path to be saved.
Jesus was a puzzle to the religious elite. There were Pharisees who had spent years at the feet of Gamaliel, and scribes who were professional scholars and interpreters of the Law.
Yet, Jesus’ teaching was like nothing they had ever heard. He spoke with an authority that didn’t come from their institutions. They wondered, “Where did this carpenter’s son get such knowledge?”
Jesus had waited until the festival was half over to go up to the Temple. By then, the initial whispers and the frantic search for Him had likely died down, giving Him the opportunity to speak freely and let His words—not His presence—be the focus. Despite the toxic intentions, the religious rulers were held back by the crowd’s wonder.
Jesus settled the mystery of His authority by pointing away from Himself: “My teaching isn’t mine but is from the one who sent me.” By seeking the Father’s glory rather than His own, Jesus showed us a better way to live. He didn’t have to defend His credentials or build a personal “brand.” He simply spoke the truth of the Father. There is so much peace in that example. Even Jesus, who is above all, found His purpose in lifting up the Father in Heaven. We are invited to trade the exhaustion of seeking our own glory for the joy of reflecting His.
Reflection Questions
- How does it feel to realize that you don’t have to be “self-made,” but are instead “Father-sustained”? Does that change how you look at your accomplishments?
- Jesus suggests that the key to recognizing truth is a simple desire to do God’s will. Is there a “hard teaching” you’ve been struggling with that might become clearer if you simply ask the Father for the willingness to follow Him?
- What is one area of your life this week where you can “deflect” a success back to God, turning a moment of personal pride into a moment of gratitude?
Prayer
Father,
Thank You for the freedom that comes when we stop trying to build our own kingdoms. We confess that we often get tired trying to prove our worth. Today, we want to follow the example of Jesus. Help us to see our talents and our hard work as gifts from Your hand. May everything we do point others back to Your light, for Your glory and not our own.
Amen.
