THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 7, Part 1
Jesus Teaches at the Feast
I want to remind myself and you, the reader, that the New Testament of the Bible, generally speaking, and chiefly the Book of John and specifically these verses, are not just a religious documentary or a simple narrative of “The Life and Times of Jesus”, but they are (1) the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, (2) useful for our teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness, and (3) are the very breath, “the breathed out Word” of a Living God. (This is the potential of what you are holding when you hold a Bible in your hands. Think about it.)
It is as if Jesus is simultaneously living two realities for us to see and witness – because He IS simultaneously living two realities for us to see and witness. First, He is the only One True Living God, the living Word of God – The Son of God, the Second part of the Trinity of God; He is the Son of Man. Secondly, He is the Son of man, God made flesh, living among us, Emmanuel, God with us. So, what we see with our natural eyes is the manifestation of “God the Son” appearing to us as has pierced through time, space and reality. He has come to us from His Kingdom, as the scripture say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand”, which is the Spiritual realm of God; and He has come to us, walking among us in the natural world. Put another way, we are seeing the manifestation of God’s Will within His created natural world: “His Kingdom come, His Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.
With these things in mind, don’t just read these words, but “eat them and drink them”, for they are His Flesh and His Blood which give life!
Jesus Teaches at the Feast
John 7:1, After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. Verse 2. Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near. Verse 3. So His brothers said to Him, “Move on from here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. Verse 4. For no one does anything in secret when he himself is striving to be known publicly. If You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.” Verse 5. For not even His brothers believed in Him. Verse 6. So Jesus said to them, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always ready. Verse 7. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify about it, that its deeds are evil. Verse 8. Go up to the feast yourselves; I am not going up to this feast, because My time has not yet fully arrived.” Verse 9. Now having said these things to them, He stayed in Galilee.
(Commentary Break): ‘Jesus was walking in Galilee’ is significant by both definition and the tense of this verb. It is saying “He was continually walking, on purpose and with a purpose”. This was not a casual or curiosity stroll. Jesus is on mission. He is executing the Will and Plan of His Father. This is a clear mandate to any and all of His followers, including you and me. Every minute of every day we should be aware that we too are on mission for God, going about with His purpose on and in our mind, doing His Will.
It is also significant that this event in scriptures is taking place during the Feast of the Booths, or Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot, is a Torah-commanded Jewish holiday celebrated for seven days, beginning on the fifteenth day of the month of Tishrei. It is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals on which Israelites were commanded to be at a certain place at an appointed time – in this case, a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. Biblically an autumn harvest festival and a commemoration of the Exodus from Egypt. We should realize that The Exodus, a freeing of the Jews from captivity, was a pattern, a foreshadowing of our being set free from our captivity to sin and death. THIS IS NOT A PHILOSPHY or a metaphor. It is a reality of what has already occurred in the Heavens and is now being manifest upon this earth. We are called, just like the Jews, at Sukkot, to be at a certain place at a certain time. More on this to follow.
Next, Jesus’ disciples begin to encourage Him to become more public so more people and especially His disciples would see His works and believe in Him. Jesus responds by contrasting His divine mission with the worldly perspective of His brothers. Their “time” refers to their freedom to act according to their own desires and schedules. This reflects our human tendency to operate independently of God’s timing and purpose. In a broader sense, it highlights the difference between human and divine perspectives on time and purpose. This is the lesson we should take from this.
Jesus’ remark that “My time has not yet come”, underscores Jesus’ awareness of His divine mission and the specific timing ordained by God. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is conscious of the “hour” or “time” set by the Father for His actions, particularly His crucifixion and resurrection. This reflects the prophetic nature of His ministry, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. It also emphasizes His obedience to the Father’s will, a key aspect of His role as the perfect servant and sacrifice. And, once again, this is the model for all of us, His disciples. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 10. But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as though in secret. Verse 11. So the Jews were looking for Him at the feast and saying, “Where is He?” Verse 12. And there was a great deal of talk about Him in secret among the crowds: some were saying, “He is a good man”; others were saying, “No, on the contrary, He is misleading the people.” Verse 13. However, no one was speaking openly about Him, for fear of the Jews.
Verse 14. But when it was now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple area, and began to teach.
(Commentary Break): The timing, “halfway through,” indicates that Jesus chose a moment when the city was bustling with activity and the religious atmosphere was heightened, allowing His message to reach a wide audience.
The temple courts were the outer areas of the Temple in Jerusalem, accessible to all people, including Gentiles. This setting was significant as it was a central place for teaching and discussion, where rabbis and teachers would often engage with the public. Jesus’ presence here underscores His role as a teacher and His willingness to engage with the religious leaders and the people in a public forum. The temple was the heart of Jewish religious life, making it a strategic location for Jesus to reveal His teachings. Dear friends, this is our pattern and model.
Jesus’ teaching in the temple courts highlights His authority and wisdom, which often astonished those who heard Him. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus taught with direct authority, often challenging traditional interpretations and focusing on the heart of the Law. His teachings were rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, fulfilling prophecies and revealing deeper truths about God’s kingdom. (the foregoing 2 paragraphs are taken from BibleHub.com bible study notes).
Verse 15. The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, not having been educated?” Verse 16. So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not My own, but His who sent Me. Verse 17. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is of God, or I am speaking from Myself. Verse 18. The one who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
(Commentary Break): Now, please pay careful attention. Jesus is not only fulfilling prophetic scriptures, He is teaching and training His disciples for when their time comes. Jesus says, “My teaching is not My own, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is of God, or I am speaking from Myself.” I hear so many Christians ask or pray saying, “if it be your will”, as if His Will is always an unknown and unknowable thing. Yet Jesus says that “if anyone is willing to do His will, he will know…”
Jesus is teaching that which is Right, what is Good and Acceptable and Perfect, to Abstain from evil and lust, and to Give Thanks in all things!
First you must know the Will of God if you are to do His Will. And you don’t need to guess or wonder about His Will. You can know The Will of God from His Word. For example, the phrase “the will of God” is used a total of twenty-four times in the Bible (“The NASB version”).
The frequency of the use of a word or phrase in the Bible potentially tells us the importance or uniqueness of that word or idea communicated by that word or phrase. But, regardless of the frequency of this phrase, I would say that the “Will of God” is a pretty important idea.
So, use the Bible to decide what God says about GOD’S Will, and here are four instances of the twenty-five occurrences of the phrase “God’s Will” from the Bible, where the Bible clearly explains God’s Will:
1 Peter 2:15, “For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;”
1 Thessalonians 5:18, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Do you want to know about the teaching, whether it is of God? Then you must know and do the Will of God. Then you can see the power of God’s Word and His Spirit work for good in your life? Does using these four verses sound too simple? You can expand on these verses, but, just try these for a start.
DO RIGHT. (1 Peter 2:15),
RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT. (Romans 12:2),
ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY. (1 Thessalonians 4:3),
IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS. (1 Thessalonians 5:13).
Interesting, isn’t it? Knowing and doing God’s Will produces a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING. Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life? Think about it. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 19. “Did Moses not give you the Law, and yet none of you carries out the Law? Why are you seeking to kill Me?” Verse 20. The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill You?” Verse 21. Jesus answered them, “I did one deed, and you all are astonished. Verse 22. For this reason Moses has given you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and even on a Sabbath you circumcise a man. Verse 23. If a man receives circumcision on a Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken, are you angry at Me because I made an entire man well on a Sabbath? Verse 24. Do not judge by the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
(Commentary Break): Jesus points out that they seek to kill Him because the say He is deliberately breaking the Law of Moses. The crowd deflects and suggests that Jesus has a demon who is causing Him this strife.
Now Jesus points out their ignorance of the Law and of their hypocrisy. The Law of Moses made an exception in the Law for circumcision on the Sabbath, yet they hold Jesus as guilty of breaking the law if He would heal or make whole, the entire person on the Sabbath. He then tells them not to judge by outward appearances, i.e., by strict legalistic standards (by the letter of the Law), but look at the heart on the intentions of a person before you judge.
If there is one great failing in Christendom, this is the one. We are so quick to judge unfairly, but equally as quick to overcompensate and to overlook evil in the name of forgiveness. If you have ever been judged unfairly, you have felt the sting of legalism and injustice. But, then you see someone else deliberately sin and find forgiveness just because of who they are or who they know, you have to stomach they hypocrisy. This is the fall of the Church.
Brothers and Sisters, let’s do all we can, by the grace and power of God to not judge and criticize and condemn others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge, so that you will not be judged unfairly. For just as you hypocritically judge others when you are sinful and unrepentant, so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure used to pass out judgment, judgment will be measured to you. Think about it, why do you look at the insignificant speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the similar egregious log that is in your own eye? Use godly wisdom, common sense, and moral courage together with God’s written word to discern right from wrong, to distinguish between morality and immorality, and to judge doctrinal truth. There are many judgments that are not only legitimate, but are commanded (John 7:24; 1 Corinthians 5:5, 12; Galatians 1:8, 9; 1; John 4:1-3; 2 John 10; however, do not judge another without carefully examining their intentions and without examining your own heart and actions. (End Commentary Break).
Jesus’ teaching is both revolutionary and counter-cultural and the path to life more abundant. But not as the world sees abundance. This is an abundance of life that is worth living. A life of peace, love, joy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. A prosperity of the heart, mind and soul. It is a life that begins in the spirit and is then manifest in the world, “As it is in heaven, so it shall be on earth”.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 7, Part 2, People Divided over Jesus.
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