Let's Figure out This Jesus Person

Intro:

Last week we looked at what kind of FOLLOWER of Jesus would we become?

Would we be a DESERTER.....DECEIVER....or a TRUE DISCIPLE!

I have had so many conversations of how the Lord spoke to us last week and what a blessing!

And one of those conversations has come a baptism that we will get to celebrate in a few weeks!

Today we will continue in the Gospel of John looking at Chapter 7.

There is a time in each of our lives when we are trying to figure out who Jesus really is!

For many....that time is as early as a child can process and communicate....

You might have asked question like.....

What kind of house does God live in?

When it rains....is that God crying…or is He peeing on us?

Or maybe you asked.....why did God let my mom or dad abandon me?

But those question continue as we get older....questions like....

Does God really love me after what I have done?

Where is God right now in my life?

Is Jesus truly real....is there any chance this is all wrong?

Today, you may still have some questions toward who Jesus really is.

We are going to see people all over the map when it comes to figuring out this Jesus person.

People who think that He is the Messiah....

And some who think He is nothing but a deceiver....

So, WITH THEM, LET’S FIGURE OUT THIS JESUS PERSON...

That’s the name of our sermon today....

PRAY!

In figuring out this Jesus Person......

I. Let’s not forget the JEWISH background of our LORD! (John 7:1-24)

We cannot forget that Jesus was a Jewish man who lived in a Jewish Culture communicating with people with a Jewish perspective!

As we look at Chapter 7, there is some really interesting things to draw out about this Jewish Background.

John 7:1–24 NKJV

1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” 9 When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. 10 But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11 Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?” 12 And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” 13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews. 14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. 15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” 16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. 18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. 19 Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?” 20 The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?” 21 Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? 24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

The Jewish Feasts play a huge part of Jesus’ Ministry!

The Jewish people had seven major Feast that they would celebrate each year....and three of them were pilgrimage feast....

Pesach (pay-sock).....Passover

Shavuot....Feast of Weeks..Pentecost

And sukkot (su-coat)…Feast of Tabernacles/Booths

But while, the FEASTS play a major role in Jesus’ ministry…He does not manipulate the opportunities

One may think....as the HALF BROTHERS of Jesus..... “Hey, they are all gathered together for (su-coat/Tabernacles), go perform your miracles there”

Think of the context here....Jesus just lost his whole following....and here is an opportunity to get them back

However, verse 10 tells us that Jesus goes a bit later in secret, not openly.

Meaning he wasn't revealing himself!

We see this was true due to their questions as they sought Jesus....

“Where is He?”

Some affirming Him and some rejecting him.

And so In the middle of the feast, Jesus goes up to the Temple and teaches!

This amazes them!

He continues to tell them that....

HIS MESSAGE is really the FATHERS MESSAGE!

And that the Father sent Him and there is no UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IN HIM!

And Jesus also uses this time to deal with the rising issue of the Jewish Leaders Seeking to Kill Him!

You remember, this all started back in John 5 where he healed the lame man who hadn't walked in 38 years ON THE SABBATH...

John 5:16 NKJV

16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.

And so here in John 7:21-24 he tells them of their religious hypocrisy...

Moses (who gave us the law through God).....he told us to circumcise....

And we do that whether it is on the sabbath or not....

And I make a man whole on the sabbath and you want to kill me!

He tells them, “Dont judge by appearance, but judge with rightouse judgment”

Before we go further, I want to make sure we understand the context of this FEAST OF TABERNACLES (su-coat)

This Feast would be a pilgrimage where the Jewish men were to come to Jerusalem to the Temple and camp in tabernacles/tents for 7 days!

It was to be a time of rest filled with offerings and sacrifices!

It was to remind them of GOD’S PROVISION during the 40 years in the Wilderness....

In fact, it was mandated for the males to celebrate in Leviticus 23:39-43.

And that while there is a temporary home now for them....there is an Eternal Permanent Home promised!

On the 8th day, they would come back together for a final convocation of praise and rest!

This Last and Great Day was called HOSHANA RABBAH.....”THE GREAT SALVATION”

They would recite 7 prayers of requesting Salvation....as they processed around the Sanctuary 7 times.....

After the 7 processions....they would take Palm Branches and three other species of trees and hit the ground with and pray for Hoshana....Salvation and they’d say...

"Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to take the lulav (Palm Branches)"

Now, isn’t it interesting that God would have us be talking about this on PALM SUNDAY!

When I put together this Preaching Calendar over 3 months ago, I had no clue of these things!

But God in His providence has us here on Palm Sunday....

In just a few chapters later in John 12, we will be reading about the TRIUMPHANT ENTRY....WHEN JESUS COMES INTO JERUSALEM....what we celebrate on Palm Sunday.

And these will be the words that we read....

John 12:12–15 NKJV

12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!” 14 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

While Jesus came on Passover Feast week....there is some beautiful symbolism here of Jesus’ fulfillment of the FEAST OF TABERNACLES!

Should that shock us....John 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt (Tabernacled) among us.

And now we have Palm Trees laid down quoting the same blessing.....HOSSANA! BLESSEDIS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! THE KING OF ISRAEL.

May it be that MUCH MORE SPECIAL TODAY AT 4PM when we cry out....HOSANNA....Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord....Hosana in the Highest!

AND IF THAT IS NOT COOL ENOUGH....

This morning we dedicated our KIDS BUILDING at 9:30 and prayed over that space.....

I read where Solomon DEDICATES THE TEMPLE and God’s Presence filled it....

And I was planning to read this but had no idea....about when Solomon dedicated the temple....

2 Chronicles 7:8–11 NKJV

8 At that time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt. 9 And on the eighth day they held a sacred assembly, for they observed the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. 10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the good that the Lord had done for David, for Solomon, and for His people Israel. 11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord and the king’s house; and Solomon successfully accomplished all that came into his heart to make in the house of the Lord and in his own house.

So as Solomon was dedicating the Temple…it was during the Feast of Tabernacles!

And now here we are on Palm Sunday, learning about the Feast of Tabernacles…when we dedicate our kids building!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME....TELL ME GOD ID NOT GOOD!!!

Remember, Jesus was a Jewish man who lived in a Jewish Culture communicating with a people with a Jewish perspective!

There is more to figuring out this Jesus Person Though....

II. You must personally respond to Jesus. (John 7:25-52)

You see, this is a personal response...

And through the years, there have been many different responses to Jesus....but don't forget it must be a personal response for you!

What someone else thinks about Jesus is not enough to receive Eternal life....we each respond.

In this passage, we will see all kids of different responses!

John 7:25–52 NKJV

25 Now some of them from Jerusalem said, “Is this not He whom they seek to kill? 26 But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? 27 However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.” 28 Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, 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. 29 But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.” 30 Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. 31 And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?” 32 The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. 33 Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. 34 You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.” 35 Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36 What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?” 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people because of Him. 44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him. 45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?” 46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” 47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? 48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” 52 They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”

Listen to the responses:

Don’t they know this is the Christ!

But we know where He is from, He cant be the Messiah!

Many believed, and said....will there be anyone that could ever come and do what He has done?

The Pharisees send officers to take him....yet the officers decide not to listen.

After Jesus gives his invite....many say “Truly, this is the Prophet” Others say, “This is the Christ”

Others say, but the Messiah cant be from Galilee.

Even Nicodemus (Chapter 3) speaks up…Our Law doesn't judge Him before it hears him out and knows what He is doing.

So again, we have all of these responses....

But the response that matters today is yours!!

Have you got this Jesus Person FIGURED OUT TODAY?

Now I get it, there is much that I will spend my life pondering....

But I know Jesus is who He says He is....and I BELIEVE IN HIM without a shadow of doubt!

What about you!?

You ready to be amazed!?

Remember, Jesus was revealing Himself to a Jewish People with a Jewish Culture.

This was the Feast of the Tabernacles:

They would....

Wave their Palm branches on the ground....

Pray for the GREAT SALVATION....HOSANA!

And through the years, they developed rituals with this feast.

As they would give offerings and sacrifices, they started using water rituals on the LAST DAY called water libations!

They would take water from the pool of Siloam and pour it on the altar.

Even Zechariah references the water in correlation with God’s blessing of rain!

So the people there would have been expecting the Jewish Leaders to circle the Altar 7 times and for the pouring of the water....

BUT THERE WERE NOT EXPECTING A RABBI FROM NAZARETH TO GET UP AND DECLARE WHAT HE DID!

John 7:37–38 NKJV

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Our hope is not ultimately in the rain God sends....but rather in JESUS CHRIST!

He is the SOURCE OF LIVING WATER!

If you are thirsty, COME TO HIM!

HE WILL GIVE YOU LIVING WATER!

TALKING ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD COMING TO INDWELL YOU!

TO SET UP TABERNACLE WITH YOU TILL WE ARE IN OUR FOREVER HOME!

Maybe you were expecting something else today?

Maybe you were expecting to hear another sermon as you have done for weeks on weeks....

BUT JUST MAYBE....GOD HAS SHOWED UP AND SAID....I AM THE SOURCE OF WHAT YOU NEED!

IT IS NOT A SUNDAY RITUAL YOU NEED CALLED CHURCH....ITS ME!!!

COME TO ME AND DRINK......MAY THE SPIRIT COME AND DWELL IN YOU!

YOU MUST RESPOND PERSONALLY!