[:en]SCRIPTURE: JOHN 7
“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37-38)
JESUS GOES TO THE FEAST OF TABERNACLE (vs. 1-13)
The Feast of Tabernacle was a memorial of the time when Israelites lived in booths during their exodus in the wilderness. It was also a harvest festival which required all male Jews to attend annually (Deut. 16:16).
The brothers of Jesus left Galilee ahead while Jesus went there later secretly. People had different opinions about Jesus. Some said He is a good man while others said He is a deceiver.
JESUS TEACHES AT THE FEAST (vs. 14-24)
Jesus had no formal education. Yet his teachings amazed people because His teachings come from God. When Jesus predicted that they were trying to kill Him, the crowd called Him demon possessed. Jesus then justified his healing on the Sabbath by saying: “If a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath?” (vs. 23)
IS JESUS CHRIST? (vs. 25-43)
Jesus affirmed that He is the man sent by God. He will be with them for a short while but will return to the Father where they could not find Him. While He was still with them, He offered drink to the thirsty. Those who believe in Him shall have streams of living water. People were divided on who Jesus is. Some said He is the Prophet, others said He is the Christ, and still others said: “How can the Christ come from Galilee? (v. 41)
UNBELIEF OF THE JEWISH LEADERS (vs. 45-53)
When the temple guard did not follow their instruction to bring Jesus in, the chief priest and Pharisees accused them of being deceived by Jesus. But Nicodemus defended Jesus by citing legal means before they could condemn Him.[:]