Last time we learned unbelieving skeptics need to realize that Scripture is the only source for truth about Jesus, feeding on Jesus by faith is necessary for eternal life, and that Jesus Christ alone is the Holy One of God.
John 7:1-13 – Opposed by Family
Jesus stayed in and around Galilee instead of going to Judea , because He knew the Jews were trying to kill Him (Verse 1). When the Feast of Tabernacles was near, the brothers wanted Him to go to Judea so more people could see His miracles. They wanted Him to show Himself to the world so others would believe. They wanted Him to prove Himself. Jesus told them that the time was not yet right. He had to avoid His death for now. In verse 5 we learn even Jesus’ own brothers didn’t believe in Him. His brothers would not believe Him until after the resurrection.
The time He was speaking of was His crucifixion and resurrection. He had work to do before this could happen. Jesus trusted God’s timing. The disciples didn’t understand this. They wanted Him to have a public ministry. They had nothing to fear, because their lives were not in danger.
What is keeping you from trusting God’s timing?
Jesus said the world hated Him. They hated Him, because He had pointed out their sins. He made them feel guilty. They didn’t want to be responsible for their sins so they rejected Him as Savior and all He stood for. He told the disciples the world didn’t hate them and to go to the feast, but He would not go yet. It wasn’t because of a lack of courage, but awareness of the Father’s timing. Later He left for the Feast in secret. The Jews were watching for Him. They were asking, “Where is that man?” The crowds whispered and said that He is a good man while others said He deceives the people. They were afraid of the Jews and knew they would be in terrible trouble if they spoke in favor of Jesus.
Principle: God’s time table is not our time table.
Many people today react to Jesus the same way. They say He was a good man and maybe a prophet, but not God.
If you were asked what you thought about Jesus, what would you say?
John 7:14-24 – Opposed at the Temple
Jesus knew the leaders were plotting to kill Him, but He continued to teach. Halfway through the Feast, Jesus went to the temple and began to teach boldly. The Jews were amazed and wondered how He had such learning without having an education. In verse 16 Jesus told them His teaching was from God. He challenged them to find out if His teaching came from God in John 7:17-19. He said “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent me is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.”
Remember they knew Jesus as a carpenter’s son without any education. They were amazed when He taught. He was not taught by man, but by God. Jesus always stressed that He is in the Father’s will. He always gave God the glory. His Words are Truth. He has no selfish interests.
He asked them why they were trying to kill Him and called them demon-possessed. He said He had done one miracle and they were astonished. He was talking about the healing of the lame man at the pool (John 5). He did this on the Sabbath which they said broke the 4th commandment. They themselves were going to break the 6th commandment by killing Jesus. He said they circumcised on the Sabbath. So if they can do that then why were they angry with Him for healing the whole man on the Sabbath. Jesus told them to stop judging by appearances. (John 7:22-24)
Jesus had done a good deed on the Sabbath, but they thought that was a sin. They were blinded to their own sin and were hypocrites. They interpreted the Scriptures to suit their own needs.
What Scriptures to you interpret to suit your needs?
Principle: Jesus is the true and righteous One, yet people reject Him because of their many sins.
John 7:25-36 – Opposition and Controversy
Jesus is true and righteous because He taught God’s truth, sought God’s glory, and did miraculous works. He spoke with the authority of God. He said you think you know me and where I am from, but you do not. He said He was not here on His own authority. He boldly declared His origin was from God Himself. His listeners didn’t know God and were listening with their heads and not their hearts. It’s the same today. It’s a heart problem. People don’t listen with their hearts.
The chief priests and Pharisees tried to arrest Jesus, but failed. God protected Him, because it was not in God’s timing. Many in the crowd put their faith in Him. When the Pharisees heard the crowd whispering about Him, they sent temple guards to arrest Him. Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” – John 7:33-34
He was speaking about His resurrection. He would be in heaven. They would be looking for His physical body. He would be gone; they would seek Him, but not find Him. They would not be able to go to heaven, because they missed the day of salvation because of their rejection of Him.
Principle: Your eternal destiny depends on believing the truth about who Jesus is.
John 7:37-52 – Anger and Division
Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” – John 7:38. The “streams of living water” is the Holy Spirit believers receive when they first become believers. Those in Jesus’ day would receive the Holy Spirit after His resurrection and glorification. To come to Jesus and to drink is essentially to put your faith in Him: to trust in, rely on, and cling to Him.
Do you have living water flowing through you?
The people were divided about Jesus. Some wanted to kill Him, but some said that Jesus was a prophet. Some said He was the Christ. Some said the Christ was to come from David’s family and not from Galilee.
The temple guards were sent to sent to arrest Jesus, but they were impressed by Jesus and didn’t want to arrest Him. Then Nicodemus came to the defense of Jesus. He told them to give Jesus a fair hearing before they condemned Him, but the Jewish leaders had already made up their minds. The leaders ignored Nicodemus. They had forgotten what Isaiah had spoken about the Messiah.
Who do you say Jesus is?
In this chapter we see the Trinity - Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. God, the Father who is our Creator; Jesus, the Son who is our Redeemer; The Holy Spirit who is the Spirit in us and is our security. Jesus does not act independently of God.
Where do you act independently of God?
The question for every person who is confronted with the truth of Jesus is: Will you follow Him or will you turn away?
Principle: Believers must be willing to courageously stand for the truth about Jesus.
Next week we will study John 8. Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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Resources:
Bsfinternational.org
Bibleref.org
Enduringword.com
