The Gospel of John: John 7:1-36

John 7:1-36

Title: The Messiah Teaches in the Midst of the Feast.

Analysis:

                Jesus, now approximately six months later is walking in Galilee. He had left the crowds and had only been teaching those who were truly committed to Him. The crowds had wanted to make Him king and the religious leaders wanted to kill Him. At this time it is the feast of Booths, and Jesus brothers who were not believing in Him suggest to Him that He go to the feast and display His miracles before the people (vs. 3-4). Jesus was unwilling though and replies in verse 8, “Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come.”

                After hearing His response, His brothers and family leave and go to the feast while Jesus stayed in Galilee. In verse 10 though we seem to come to a contradiction for after His brother’s leave, Jesus Himself departs and goes to the feast but in secret. Perhaps while the Lord was alone, the Father had directed Him to go. Regardless, Christ did leave for the feast but avoided the religious leaders who sought to kill Him (vs.11).

                The crowds, who attended the feast were divided as to whether to believe that Jesus was a good man or be convinced that He led others astray (vs.13). But they too only spoke of Him in secret for fear of the authority that the Jews held. Although the crowds were hostile, this did not prevent the Saviour from continuing His ministry. In the midst of the feast Jesus reveals Himself at the temple and begins a three part declaration of His relationship with His Heavenly Father. First Christ declares that His authority is from the Father, second, that He came from the Father, and third, that He will depart to the Father.

                The first of these declarations come in verses 14-24. Amazed by His wisdom, the Jews were questioning between themselves as to how Jesus could have such wisdom while having never been educated. Jesus, knowing their thoughts and words replied to them saying that His teaching is not from Himself but rather, “…His who sent me.” Jesus was not like the other self-proclaimed Messiahs that had come before Him. They speak for themselves (vs. 18) but Christ spoke for the Father. Therefore, “…He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” This declaration was another proof that Jesus was Messiah, for He spoke for the Father. He sums up His declaration of authority by saying in verse 24, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement.” Jesus’ wisdom, teaching, actions, impact, and deeds all testified to the fact that He was God and His authority came from God.

                Secondly, Christ proclaims that He came from the Father (vs. 25-31). And at this time, some of the crowd recognized Him as Jesus, the man whom the religious leaders were trying to kill. They question the ruler’s thoughts of Christ and decide in their own minds that He can’t be the Christ. Both the rulers and the people could not firmly decide who Jesus was. Jesus cries out to the people once again telling them in verse 28, “You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know.” Jesus confronts their unbelief in Him by saying once again that He came from the Father. While some of the crowd believed in His name the Pharisees were still indignant.

                We see this hatred develop in verses 32-36 where Jesus completes His third declaration saying He will depart to the Father whom He came. Verse 32 says, “The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about Him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees made plans to seize Him.” Jesus, knowing these plans boldly tells them that He would only be with them a little while, and then He would leave to the Father. Where He was going they could not follow, because they did not believe in His name. They Jews, not understanding tragically mock Jesus’ words not realising that they speak to their own condemnation to judgement. The Lord was soon to go to His eternal home, and only those who believed in Him, would follow Him there.

Response:

                How am I to respond to this Jesus? As John has been outlining throughout His gospel we see the continuing animosity towards the Saviour. He is rejected by the people (6:60-66), the religious leaders (7:32), and even His own family (7:3-5). Isaiah rightly did prophecy about Christ when he said in Isaiah 53:3, “He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” This Jesus lived a life of rejection but He was not to be rejected for all time. Many believed in His name and many more have come to salvation by His work of death on the cross. His rejection by sinners like me has now turned into a life of worship and praises to this most High King. And as I live the rest of my days here on earth, I will never cease to bring ultimate glory to His name.