Scripture: About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”
The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What does he mean by saying, You will seek me and you will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?”
John 7:14-36 ESV
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Observation: Recapping Friday’s Daily Focus, John tells us that Jesus’ brothers urged Jesus to leave Galilee and attend the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem to reveal his works to prospective disciples on a grander scale. But John notes that their intentions were dubious because they did not believe he was the Messiah. So Jesus graciously sidesteps their scheme, citing it was not his time, given that many hate him for exposing their evil works. So Jesus remained in Galilee until the timing was right to attend the feast outside public scrutiny. Meanwhile, the Jewish leaders were combing the crowd to see if Jesus was in attendance. And similar to the muttering at the synagogue in Capernaum, the quiet conversations around the feast centered on whether Jesus of Nazareth was a good man or a troublemaker leading the people astray. Still, no one spoke aloud about the matter for fear of backlash from the religious authorities.
Today’s devotion continues the drama at the midpoint of the feast. Having discreetly entered Jerusalem, Jesus now stands front and center and begins teaching. And those listening are amazed that an unlearned man is so knowledgeable. Discerning their thoughts, Jesus explains that his teaching comes from God, but only those who seek God’s will know whether Jesus’ teaching comes from the Father. Moreover, Jesus adds that those who seek to glorify God speak his words of truth, while those who self-aggrandize teach on their own accord.
Then, with a sudden shift in tenor, Jesus calls them lawbreakers and questions why they seek to kill him. At this point, the crowd accuses Jesus of being demon-possessed and paranoid. In response, Jesus contends that he aroused their ire by healing a man on the Sabbath and thus challenges them to judge not by appearance but rightly. Some listen, then question whether the authorities indeed seek to kill Jesus and whether they believe he is the Christ. Still, they reason that they know where Jesus came from, while no one can ascertain the origin of Christ. So Jesus acknowledges they know his family of origin, but the “one” they do not know sent him.
Inserting a parenthetical note, John tells us that even though the religious leaders sought Jesus’ arrest, no one arrested him because “his hour had not yet come.” Still, many in the crowd believed in him based on the extent of his miraculous signs that certainly qualified him as the Christ. Overhearing the crowd’s comments, the chief priests and Pharisees dispatched their temple guards to arrest Jesus. Again, discerning their thoughts, Jesus declares that he will not be around for long and will return to the One who sent him. So, even though they will seek him, they will not find him. Taking his point at face value, they question whether he will go to the Dispersion (i.e., those Jews who go and live abroad to convert Gentiles to the Hebrew faith).
Takeaway: This feast marks the apex of Jesus’ popularity. Smaller numbers will put their faith in Jesus because his teachings are increasingly demanding, difficult to comprehend, and offensive to the authorities, thus placing any would-be disciple’s good societal standing at risk. Hence, the crowd muttered their thoughts, with a small number raising their voices in support or objection to Jesus’ identity and mission. That said, the difference in the opposing views of Jesus’ messianic identity, as Jesus notes, is whether one seeks the Father’s will, not just superficial adherence to the Mosaic law as the religious leaders observed, but, as theologian Merrill Tenney contends, “a settled, determined purpose to fulfill it” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John, p.84).
Our takeaway? As periodically noted in our Daily Focus devotions, the Holy Spirit will not reveal more of God’s will for our lives than what we already obey. Moreover, we will not find the courage and strength to stand up against Christ’s adversaries who would seek to harm us without heeding his direction and desiring to fulfill his purpose for our lives. Lastly, we will not develop the fortitude to persevere in obedience to the Holy Spirit’s guidance if we are not growing in our knowledge of the Father and Son’s truth, grace, and love for us.
Our part? Undoubtedly, submission to anyone without love or respect will lead to resentment and bitterness, particularly to one as controversial as Jesus. With this in mind, when we encounter one of his complex or demanding teachings from Scripture that causes cognitive dissonance or when the Holy Spirit provokes our consciences to expose our rebellious and selfish attitudes, we would do well to pause and consider that it is unloving to allow us to continue to stray from the One who unfailing loves us. Our beautiful, gracious Lord and Savior willfully took our place in bearing the consequences of our sins because he cherishes us. So, why wouldn’t we want to fulfill his will for us? Who else always has our best interests in mind?
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who demonstrated his love for us in laying down his life to bring us new and eternal life. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who continues his supreme work in us to ensure we stay on course. Still, we confess that we are prone to wander. So, please help us submit to your Holy Spirit’s convictions and direction so that we might fulfill your will for us. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling