The Way - Day 188 (John 7)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
JOHN 7:1-24
Beginning in chapter five, John begins to document the opposition Jesus experienced in His ministry. Much of this resistance stemmed from the Jews, who did not believe Jesus' claims that he was the Son of God and equal with God. John writes that "the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him..." (5:16). Even those who were following Jesus because of His supernatural works and miracles had abandoned Him when He began to speak of believing in Him to receive eternal life (6:47-48).

Several months following His discourse on the bread of life (6:26-59), Jesus was ministering in Galilee because the Jews would have killed Him if had He come to Judea (7:1). Jesus' brothers tried to convince Him to go to Judea so that His disciples there could see His miraculous works (7:2-3). Although Jesus could have revealed Himself to the world, He knew it was not yet His time (7:4-8). Jesus' brothers decided to go to Judea without Him (7:9) so that they could participate in the Feast of Tabernacles, which was a time of thankfulness for the harvest. During this time, the most devout Jews would build structures made of branches and live inside them for seven days. This celebration symbolized God's protection and provision during the wilderness wanderings of their forefathers, as well as God's presence dwelling among His people.

After Jesus' brothers had gone to Judea, Christ secretly went to the feast (7:10). John writes that the Jews were seeking Jesus at this feast (7:11).

"…there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, ‘He is good'; others said, 'No on the contrary, He deceives the people.' However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews" (7:13).

During the middle of the feast, Jesus goes to the temple to teach and the Jews were amazed at His teaching and said, “How does this man know letters, having never studied?" (7:14-15) Jesus' knowledge of the Scriptures caused those listening to be astonished. He explained to them why He knew so much.

“My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?” (7:16-19)

Jesus exposed the wickedness of their heart, but instead of repenting they accused Jesus of being demon-possessed (7:20). Referring back to His healing of the paralyzed man on the Sabbath (John 5:1-16), Jesus said…

"I did one work, and you all marvel. Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment" (7:21-24).

Jesus' words would have been highly offensive to His listeners. The Jews did not really care about people; they only wanted to control others by making them obey a list of rules. Jesus, however, was concerned about a person's heart and wanted them to receive forgiveness and grace, which He could provide.

JOHN 7:25-52
Jesus’ brothers wanted Him to go with them to Judea so He could demonstrate His supernatural powers to the world (7:2-5); however, Jesus knew that the people only wanted a Messiah who could free them from Roman rule, not one who could free them from sin (7:6-9). There was much discussion in Judea about the true identity of Jesus - some thought He was good, while others believed He was a deceiver (7:10-13). Jesus decided to secretly travel to Judea during the Feast of Tabernacles (7:10). About halfway through the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus begins teaching in the temple and the Jews marvel at His knowledge of the Scriptures (7:14-15). When Jesus reveals that His doctrine is not from Himself but from God the Father who sent Him (7:16-19), the people accuse Him of being demon-possessed (7:20). In response to their accusations, Jesus reveals that they really hated Him because outward rituals were more important to them than the cleansing of one's heart through repentance (7:21-24).

The threats from the religious leaders did not deter Jesus from speaking the truth. Even the crowds of people recognized that He spoke with authority and boldness (7:25-26), but they still did not know or believe the true identity of Jesus (7:27).

Because many Jews thought that the Messiah would be unidentifiable until His public appearance, they only saw Jesus as a simple man from Galilee who was like any other man. Jesus knew that they did not believe Him.

"You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me" (7:28-29).

When Jesus exposed that His listeners did not know Him because they did not know God, they attempted to arrest Him. But it was not yet God's timing for Jesus to be taken captive (7:30). As a result of Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah, some believed in Him and asked the Jews, "When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?" (7:31) The people were not seeking a future Messiah, but claiming that no one else would come and do greater things than Jesus had already demonstrated. These were genuine believers.

The Pharisees and chief priests observed that some had believed in Jesus, so to avoid more "deception" they sent officers to arrest Him (7:32). Instead of fearing an arrest, Jesus continued to teach.

"I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come (7:33-34).

Of course, Jesus was revealing that although He would be put to death, He would resurrect and ascend to be with His Father. The Jews still misunderstood Jesus' sayings, so they questioned whether He could really go to a place where they could not find Him (7:35-36).

On the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus invites people to receive Him as the One who can give eternal life.

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, 'out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'" (7:37-38).

Jesus was unapologetically declaring Himself as the only One who could provide eternal life and eventually give them the indwelling Holy Spirit.

"He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified" (7:39).

This living water Jesus spoke of was the Holy Spirit, who would soon indwell every individual who would believe in Jesus (Acts 2:1-4). The people listening were still uncertain of Jesus' identity (7:40-44). The temple officers became fearful of arresting Jesus because many still had a favorable opinion of Him, so they returned to the chief priests and Pharisees without Jesus in custody (7:45). The Pharisees accused the officers of being deceived and reminded them that no ruler or Pharisee had believed on Him, but only common people (7:46-49).

Nicodemus, a Pharisee who had spoken to Jesus several months earlier, asked, "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" (7:50-51) The Pharisees responded to Nicodemus saying, "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee" (7:52). Instead of examining the truth, the religious leaders determined that they would not accept Jesus as the Messiah, no matter what miracles He performed or who He claimed to be. Their refusal to open their heart to the truth meant that they would remain separated from God and without hope. Many in this current generation also refuse to examine the claims of Jesus Christ to see if He is true and can offer hope of eternal life.

Dear God, instead of allowing people to reject the claims of Jesus Christ, may You open their heart to the truth so that they might also have hope of eternal life.