What Jesus Did! 'The People Were Surprised' — John 7:14-15

Saturday, May 23, 2026

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 when he hasn't been trained?" they asked.
— John 7:14-15 NLT

Key Thought

Arrogance is such an unattractive and unnecessary trait. Not only is it sinful, but it also shuts us off from truth. None of us has a corner on the market for truth. Education, experience, and training should not mean that we refuse to learn something from someone who does not have these advantages. Christian living is about faithfulness, not about the letters that come after our names to indicate our degrees or certifications. Jesus came from God. He spoke the truth of God. He called others to share God's message. He calls us to listen to others whose lives reflect the truth of that message and learn from them without prejudice. Education, experience, and training can be fantastic tools when coupled with humility. Let's commit to being true disciples. Let's commit to being life-long learners!

Today's Prayer

Father, forgive me for those times that I have not listened to others because I have thought that they had nothing to teach me. Humble me gently. Help me discern your truth no matter from whom I need to learn it. Give me a heart that is open to all that you want to teach me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

What Will You Decide?
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious One, Do you really want to know whether or not I came from God or I am a fraud? First, you need to realize that is the real question....."

Illustration

Illustration of John 7:14-15 NLT — 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 when he hasn't been trained?" they asked.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, May 23, 2026

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by John MacArthur:
"Rejoice in knowing that you belong to God and that He is conforming you to the image of His Son. See every event of this day as part of that process. Yield to...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'A Workman Unashamed' (2 Ti. 2:14-21)
"Dear Father, firm foundation, Help me to avoid disputes about words, which does no good, but merely ruins the hearers. Help me do my best to present...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Matthew 5:39
"But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Don't Yield to False Gods!' (De. 32:16-18)
"They made God jealous with foreign gods and angry with hateful idols. They made sacrifices to demons, not God, to gods they had never known, new gods...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!