SCRIPTURE: JOHN 7
JESUS GOES TO THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES (vs. 1-13)
Jesus’ brothers told him to leave Galilee and go to Judea for the Feast of Tabernacles. But Jesus said the right time has not yet come for him to go there. However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went there in secret. At the Feast, the Jews were watching and asking for him. Among the crowds, some said that He is a good man while others said He is a deceiver.
JESUS TEACHES AT THE FEAST (vs. 14-24)
While halfway through the Feast, Jesus went up to the temple courts and said: “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 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 him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?” (vs. 16-19). The crowd answered:, “You are demon-possessed. who is trying to kill you?” (v. 20) Jesus answered: “I did none miracle, and you are all astonished. Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a child on the Sabbath. Now is 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. Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” (vs. 21-24)
IS JESUS THE CHRIST? (vs. 25-44)
When the people were arguing who Jesus is, Jesus said: “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me. (vs. 28-29) The Pharisees and chief priests sent the temple guards to arrest Jesus. 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.” (vs. 33-34)
On the last and greatest days of the Feast, Jesus took and said in a loud voice, “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.” (vs. 37-38). Upon hearing his words, there were different responses. Some said He is the Prophet. Others said, He is Christ. Still others asked, “How can Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived? The people were divided . Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
UNBELIEF OF THE JEWISH LEADERS (vs. 45-52)
Nicodemus asked, “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing? (v. 51). They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” (v. 52)
THOUGHTS:
The brothers of Jesus had a difficult time believing in him. For several years, they were embarrassed by Jesus. After Jesus died and rose again, they finally believed. Later, one of his brothers James became a leader in the church. Today, we have every reason to believe because we have the full record of Jesus’ miracles, death and resurrection. We also have evidence of what the Good News has done in people’s lives through the centuries. Don’t miss the opportunity to believe in Jesus Christ.
Because the world hates Jesus, we who follow Him must expect that many people will also hate us. It is not easy to endure the high cost of following Jesus wholeheartedly, But the reward of eternal life is worth the sacrifice.
When Jesus taught and worked publicly, the religious leaders caused him trouble and his followers. When we have the privilege to proclaim the Good News without persecution, we should be grateful to make the most of our opportunities.
Many people talked about Christ in church, but when it comes to making a public statement about their faith, they are often embarrassed. Jesus says that he will acknowledge us before God if we acknowledge him before others. Be courageous and speak up for Christ!
All the Jewish males had to demonstrate their identity as part of God’s covenant people by being circumcised on the eight day of birth. If the eighty day after birth falls on a Sabbath day, the circumcision would still be performed. While the religious leaders allowed this exception to Sabbath law, they condemned Jesus for showing mercy to those who needed healing.
Reactions of people towards Jesus:
- Some called him a GOOD MAN. (v. 12)
- Some called him a DECEIVER (v. 12)
- Some called him a DEMON-POSSESSED MAN (v. 20)
- Some called him the MESSIAH (v. 25)
- Some called him a PROPHET (v. 40)
WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?
Jesus used the term Living Water to refer to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus’ followers at Pentecost and has since been available to all who believe in Jesus as Savior.
Some disqualified Jesus as the Messiah because he was from Nazareth, not Bethlehem. But he was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth. If they had looked more carefully, they would not have jumped to the wrong conclusions. When you search for God’s truth, make sure you look carefully and thoughtfully at the Bible with an open heart and mind. Do not jump to conclusions before knowing more of what the Bible says.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee who visited Jesus at night and had become a secret believer. He risked his reputation and high position when he spoke up for Jesus. Nicodemus confronted the Pharisees with their failure to keep their own laws and exposed their hypocritical motives.