THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 7, Part 2
People Divided over Jesus
One could say that Jesus, in this chapter and in these verses, is stating His case as the Son of God, the Messiah, the prophesied and the promised One. Some are believing, others are not believing.
And this is exactly what Jesus was talking about when He said, “For I came to turn a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a person’s enemies will be the members of his household”, and “do not think I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword”.
People then and people now decided who Jesus is by their opinions, religious law, tradition, and by physical and natural standards. But some will judge Who He is because God will draw them to Jesus. The end result will be life complete and eternal or eternal death and the horrors of an outer darkness.
John 7:25. So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is this man not the one whom they are seeking to kill? Verse 26. And yet look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him. The rulers do not really know that this is the Christ, do they? Verse 27. However, we know where this man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.”
Verse 28. Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know Me and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. Verse 29. I do know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.” Verse 30. So they were seeking to arrest Him; and yet no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. Verse 31. But many of the crowd believed in Him; and they were saying, “When the Christ comes, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has done, will He?”
(Commentary Break): The wording in the preceding verses, from the NASB, could be a little confusing to understand without context. So, I will re-phrase, hopefully for clarity: Verse 25, So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Isn’t this the man the Jewish authorities are trying to kill? But look at Him. Verse 26. Still, He is teaching out in the open where everyone can hear Him, and no one is trying to stop Him from His teaching. Have the authorities have decided that He really might be the Messiah, and that is why they are leaving Him alone? Verse 27. And besides, when the ‘real Messiah’ comes, no one will know where He comes from – He will just appear – and we know where this man’s hometown is. Verse 28. And while Jesus was still teaching in the Temple, He shouted out and said, “So you say you know Me and where I am from? Yes, but you know very little about that. Listen. I am here but not on my own volition; I am sent by One who is very Real, but you don’t know Him! Verse 29. But, I know Him because He is the One (speaking of God the Father) Who sent Me.
Still, there were many in the crowd that believed Him, saying that if He must be the Messiah based on the signs and miracles He has done – and even if there was another Messiah, how could He do more than Jesus has done?
Now to you and to me: Do you ever find yourself doubting about Jesus? After all, they said He was coming back, and now it’s been over 2,o00 years and still He has not arrived, and the world is getting darker, more chaotic and more dangerous by the day. Is it even true that He is alive and coming back to get us? It was hard for the people in His day to believe, so how much harder for us today? But, try to understand and accept that we really do not walk just by sight, but by faith. And, Jesus has told us that if you cannot believe just by the Words He spoke, then believe Him because of the Works He has done! (John 14:11).
Henry Blackaby, in his book and study, ‘Experiencing God’ speaks of ‘spiritual markers’. A spiritual marker identifies a time of decision when you clearly know that God guided you. Can you remember the moment you became a child of God? There were specific times when He called you to His ways of living? Point to times when He clearly guided you in a decision? Those times when He spoke powerfully to you about a commitment you should make? Keep track of these important moments! Regularly rehearse them and notice the steady progression in the way God has led you. This will help you understand God’s activity in your life now, and give you a sense of direction as you face future decisions. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 32. The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering these things about Him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest Him. Verse 33. Therefore, Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am going to be with you, and then I am going to Him who sent Me. Verse 34. You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” Verse 35. The Jews then said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? He does not intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, does He? Verse 36. What is this statement that He said, ‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?”
Verse 37. Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Verse 38. The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” Verse 39. But this He said in reference to the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
(Commentary Break): Jesus will explain these things several times before His crucifixion and resurrection to emphasize that once they see Him ascend to the Father, they will know where He has gone and that can know that He will come back to get them, just as He has said He would. Then, Jesus gives instructions on how they can follow Him once the Spirit is given, and He is glorified, both now and then in the Resurrection! “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (End Commentary Break).
People’s Division over Jesus
Verse 40. Some of the people therefore, after they heard these words, were saying, “This truly is the Prophet.” Verse 41. Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” But others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not coming from Galilee, is He? Verse 42. Has the Scripture not said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” Verse 43. So a dissension occurred in the crowd because of Him. Verse 44. And some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
Verse 45. The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?” Verse 46. The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken in this way!” Verse 47. The Pharisees then replied to them, “You have not been led astray too, have you? Verse 48. Not one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? Verse 49. But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed!” Verse 50. Nicodemus (the one who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, Verse 51. “Our Law does not judge the person unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” Verse 52. They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee as well, are you? Examine the Scriptures, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” Verse 53. And everyone went to his home. (End Chapter 7).
This debate still rages today. Is Jesus the Messiah, the Savior of the world? Does He meet all the prophetic requirements of the Messiah? Is He really God or just a good man and a good teacher? Are our established religions and religious orders to be believed, or is what Jesus taught the truth? Is He really the only way to God the Father and into heaven and eternal life?
You have to decided. But be aware of this: It is not possible to believe if the Father has not first drawn you. Pray and ask so you may believe.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PREVIOUS: THE BOOK OF JOHN, Chapter 7, Part 2, Five Thousand Men Fed, Jesus Walks on Water.
(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).
Discover more from Whitestone Fellowship
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
