2nd Saturday of Lent (March 7). Nothing unjust

Prepare to Listen.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
 
Prayerfully Read John 7:14-18
14About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach.  15The Jews were astonished at it, saying, “How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?”  16Then Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine but his who sent me.  17Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own.  18Those who speak on their own seek their own glory, but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing unjust in him.
 
Prayerfully Wonder
In response to the Jews’ (probably Temple authorities) accusation about his teaching, Jesus claimed it was God-given.  He then, subtly, accused them: “Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own.”  The implication is they don’t recognize his teaching as coming from God because they’re not doing the will of God.  Enough to make any religious leader froth at the mouth.
 
So what does it mean to “do God’s will”?  Many claim to be resolved to do God’s will but aren’t doing it.  It’s easy to become like “the Jews” who couldn’t accept Jesus’ teaching because they weren’t living God’s Word.  Therefore, they were too blind to see the truth about Jesus, and too blind to lead others.
 
In a brief sentence, Jesus tells us how to discern the true from the false, those who do God’s will from those who don’t.  The false are focused on “their own glory,” even as they piously claim to promote God’s glory.  They crave popularity and the resultant wealth, and luxurious lifestyle.  These are not true teachers from God.
 
Jesus focused on two marks of the true teacher.  First, they seek God’s glory, not their own personal glory and gain.  Their goal is to enrich others, not themselves.  The second mark is perhaps surprising to some of us.  You will know the true, said Jesus, because “there is nothing unjust in” them.  They do not oppress, cheat, deceive, distort truth.  Instead, they help others find freedom to be fully alive, whole, living truly.  Living justly and for God’s glory is the will of God.
 
How can you live so that others will say of you there is nothing unjust in you?
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord, help me live, resolved to do your will so that others see there is nothing unjust in me.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Live justly; live for God’s glory alone.