July 11, 2018
John 7:1-11 The Message (MSG)
Embarrassment is an awkward and sometimes uncomfortable feeling, isn’t it? It can be associated with our personal actions or with the verbalizations and actions of those whom we care about; people with whom we have relationship. Let’s be real; some people have a way of placing us in socially awkward situations. How good are you at masking your feelings when you find yourself put in a situation that embarrasses you? Do you try to pretend that you are not bothered by skirting the issue or redirecting the attention?
In our lesson today, Jesus’ brothers are embarrassed by him, so they try to push him into making more public displays in order to draw attention away from themselves (family) and onto “that man” Jesus. Yet, Jesus does not allow himself to be pushed to do things in his own strength. He speaks the truth about his ability and mission to expose evil pretending to be righteous; hypocrisy.