About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.” vs14-17

If we want to do God’s will, then we’ll know the gospel. He will not cast us out, but He’ll teach ignorant souls, for He is gracious and merciful. The only obstacle is unwillingness to obey.

Men who want to satisfy curiosity never learn the gospel; they never taste its power. Men who have a deep seated need to obey… to discern truth unto practicing it… are taught by God already. He’s given you a DESIRE to be made whole, and He will fulfill it [John 5:6]. He will show you that Christ is the way. There’s no other way we can deal with God except through a Mediator. He is too high and holy. In Christ, however, we have the forgiveness of sins, because sins have been punished, and we have a ransom through His blood [Eph 1:7]. You’ll learn imputed righteousness and justification by faith, because we can’t be good enough. You’ll learn the Spirit’s power, because you are righteous, and He’ll work in us to do God’s good pleasure. You’ll learn to overcome sin by Jesus Christ, which necessitates faith. You’ll learn the teaching, if you want to please God. He’ll guide you to the Son and show that He is everything.

Therefore, let’s not blame God for our darkness or blame the Bible itself. Humble yourself. Say, “Make me obedient,” and you will learn.

Secondly, the crowd and Jesus are in opposition. Are you? vs18-20

The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?”

Are you opposing the Son of God? Are you calling Him a demon and a liar? Do you know more than the Infinite and the Holy? Are you wiser than Jesus Christ?

It is better for us to humble ourselves and learn. We are the demons, if we deny His teaching on any matter, and we have no sense in our heads, for we oppose the One that the Father has sent [vs29]. He came down from heaven to save us, and will we argue? How foolish. Oh, no. We are the sinner. We are the ones that need saving. We need to yield to whatever He says. Acts 3:22, “For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brothers. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.”

Indeed, we all killed Him, for we joined together in opposition, represented by Herod and Pilate, even as Adam represented us. Acts 4:27, “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together.” We joined in rejecting the Savior, and we have to take this place as sinners, if we want to be saved. Believe the Bible. We are as bad as it says, as evil, and as wicked. Only as sinners can we be saved, so confess and acknowledge it. Own that the Master is true, and every man is a liar.

Finally, judge righteous judgment. vs21-24

Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

We must not judge according to what we think is right. Our reasoning must be scriptural, rather than human. Check your mind at the door, and bow to revelation. Search the Scriptures: they speak of Christ, righteousness imputed, and acceptance in the Son of God. Men read them and see themselves, so they oppose the Savior, because He takes man’s place as a representative and a substitute, when men want the glory. Men see themselves OBEYING RULES, but they don’t see that Christ obeyed for us, and His work is why we are saved.

Rest, like the man on the Sabbath, and be healed. Do not work to earn your place with God. Do not preach Christless sermons.

The Pharisees were very religious, and the Jews did not know God. They didn’t see the gospel in the Scriptures, and it is thus today. People go to church and sing. There is a story filled talk, called a sermon, but it is moral tales and lies, rather than the gospel; it is talk of a god that is not offended and easily pacified with man’s best efforts. It is not the gospel of a saving God who pacified His own justice and gives grace to sinners; it is what man can be do to be righteous, instead of Christ as our only righteousness before God; it is self-empowered human strength, instead of the joy, peace, and supernatural power of believing. It is human religion, and Christ is left out. If we really judge righteously and search the Scriptures, then we’ll see that Christ is all, and they’ve been talking about Him the whole time.