The Unlikely Messiah
Open Your Bible
John 7:1-52, Isaiah 9:1, Matthew 7:28-29, Luke 4:20-24
BY Kim Cash Tate
When I was a young girl, I loved to visit my father’s elementary school. He was the principal, and being the principal’s daughter made me feel special. I especially loved the times he sent me on errands. I would walk into the cafeteria or library, looking like any other student. But when the staff learned who I was—and that I’d been sent by my father, the principal—it made all the difference. All that he represented was connected to me.
I love that the book of John sets itself apart from the other Gospels in the way it showcases Jesus as the Son of God. While Matthew, Mark, and Luke together have a handful of instances in which Jesus refers to Himself as “sent” by God, John records more than thirty. As Jesus talked to the crowds—and in particular, to the Jewish leaders—He used some version of these words: “Him who sent me” and “the One who sent me.”
Jesus’s choice of words was purposeful. The Jewish people knew that God had promised to send a Savior. It’s amazing to me that Jesus would tell them so plainly, so many times, that He was the sent One. In chapter 7 alone, those words appear five times:
“My teaching isn’t mine but is from the one who sent me” (John 7:16).
“…but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is true…” (v.18).
“ I know him because I am from him, and he sent me” (v.9).
“I am only with you for a short time. Then I’m going to the one who sent me” (v.33).
And this one: “I have not come on my own, but the one who sent me is true…” (v.28).
God the Father had been true to His promise. He had sent His Son for the salvation of humanity. Yet, many who walked and talked with Jesus—who heard Him repeatedly testify that He was the sent One—did not believe.
So many precious truths are repeated this way throughout the Bible, and I can’t help but wonder at just how often I’m slow to believe them. For instance, while some version of “do not fear” appears hundreds of times throughout Scripture, there are still countless circumstances arising in day-to-day life that tend to stoke fear deep within my heart. The Bible is replete with assurances of peace and joy despite what’s happening around us. But how long does it take to believe those assurances in a given situation? God trumpets His love for us, unconditional and eternal, a love unsurpassed by any human love we could ever experience.
God keeps His word. If a promise is given just once in the Bible, He is faithful to fulfill it. By His grace, He often repeats those promises, giving added assurance to our hearts. With faith, we can stand on those promises and believe because there is another promise that’s often repeated: our God is true (John 7:28–29).
71 thoughts on "The Unlikely Messiah"
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ANGIE….. as I read your comment I felt you were talking about me. I am in a similar situation. I am not a teacher but I do work at a school. And I have felt and feel exactly like you do. And sometimes it is hard to be Christlike when you’re the “Target”. I’m not going to get into detail just know that I know exactly how you’re feeling. At the same time I feel or my eyes were opened after having a conversation with a good friend, that this could be a mission field for me. There’s a young woman who loves the Lord, I need to set an example for her. I love her very much.
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Praying for your school Angie.
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Arina!!! I’m praying for you! We have a lot in common except I think I’m old enough to be your mother. I’m very excited for you to run a half marathon in Tanzania. How exciting! And what an amazing mission! As a half marathoner myself I can relate to you. And I too, am recovering from an ankle injury. I fractured and dislocated it Labor Day weekend. I’m sad to say I have not been able to run since. And I’m currently doing physical therapy to strengthen it. I’m hoping to run a half marathon in the fall. Not out of the country but it’s a Peace Officer’s Run. We shall see. Meanwhile you can count on my prayers for you.
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*linger (not longer)
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Thank you to Everyone for your prayer REQUESTS because the grace with which so many of you have written is truly blessing my heart…and that many requests are not for you personally. Still I am praying for YOU, your request and for all the beautiful sisters in this community praying.
TAYLOR, God made me longer on what you wrote. Today, (long story) I cannot attend my lifelong best friend’s father’s funeral; the whole family knows my heart and my circumstance but, I cannot see God’s will in this. This man is like a father to me. His body was transported 5 hours by car so that all his loved ones here can attend…and I can’t. It is a small thing in comparison to so many, but please still say a quick prayer for wisdom and blessing today.
“Can I really say (and mean) “Jireh, you are enough.”? Can I really say and mean “I will be content in every circumstance.” “.
Thank you Jesus for your peace. ❤️
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OUR GOD IS TRUE! What a great devotional and Scriptures. Jesus sets a good example of what to do under peer pressure! He stuck with what he knew to be true and God’s will.
ANGIE, I have had lots of experience with bullies and unfortunately none of them responded to attempts at loving them. I pray that the teacher will respond to yours. Prayers for her heart and whatever hurt has made her this way and that things will be better soon. This prayer request is not insignificant because these situations whittle away at our peace and can open the door to stress and bitterness. Big prayers for you!
Also, praying for other requests and especially for the expectant moms, teachers, and medical workers. -
Amen Michelle Sundman and Kenya Rafferty. Arina and Angie, praying for your decisions/ situations. Brooke P still praising God with you ! Continuing to pray for this precious little life.
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I love that God repeats his promises so often for those of us who are slow to believe his love for us. I ask your prayers for my boyfriend, Henry, who grew up in a cult and was shunned. He believes in Jesus, but I feel like he has a hard time believing that God loves him in a personal way. That is a healing message I am seeking to show him.
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