The Jews were astonished, saying, 'How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?' John 7:15.

Three issues face us today: (1) What is the difference between 'wisdom' and 'learning'? (2) What is the relationship between obedience and certainty? (3) How does a law become our master rather than our servant?

Read: John 7:14-24. Jesus was not a graduate of any 'rabbinical seminary'. He was not 'ordained' by the Jewish religious system. But his wisdom and authority were undisputed. They came directly from God, his Father, whereas the rabbis' credentials were earned through academic study.

The key? Obedience: doing the will of God (v.17). So, if you have to choose, be taught by a saint rather than a scholar! (If you can find the rare combination of both in one person, follow that teacher anywhere!). Jesus knew the law, so we should pursue formal learning too, but always with the humility of knowing that we can study the Bible yet miss the whole point (as the Pharisees did, Matthew 23:23!). The law is meant to serve us, not enslave us. People and their wholeness matter more than laws...

Meditate: If the key to wisdom, certainty, and avoidance of legalism is in knowing and obeying the will of God, how am I doing? C T Studd, the great English cricketer and missionary used to read the Bible through regularly to find any command he was not obeying... Well?

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23,24). Amen.