"Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple"

 "But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, "He's a good man," but others said, "He's nothing but a fraud who deceives the people." But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders. 

 Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach. The people were surprised when they heard him. "How does he know so much he hasn't been trained?" they asked.

 So Jesus told them, "My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me." 

 The crowd replied, "You're demon possessed! Who's trying to kill you?" 

 Jesus replied, "I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed. But you work on the Sabbath, too, when you obey Moses' law of circumcision. (Actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs, long before the law of Moses.) For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath? Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly."" (John 7:10-24 NLT) 

"O LORD, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked. Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil. You will destroy those who tell lies. The LORD detests murderers and deceivers."" (Psalm 5:1-6 NLT) 

 Just in case you might have missed it, words do matter; especially when they come from the mouth of God! If there is anything worse than someone that lies, it is someone that spreads lies. Something I do believe my mother told me, more than once. However, I do remember when she was studying with the J.W.'s, she once told me that Jesus was not perfect because He got angry and overturned tables in the Temple and chased out everyone with a whip. 

 Just so you know, when we get angry and throw a fit, it is usually because we have been offended or someone has upset us; but when God gets angry, He teaches us and shows us how much we need to pay attention to what He says. There is a pretty big difference in the two variations, because one is disruptive and does nothing good: while the other is constructive and teaches us to do good.

 However, not many really get the message, or even listen...

"O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you." (Psalm 8:1-2 NLT)