The Book of John - 47

Introduction - In the first 24 verses of chapter 7, we have seen the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem and teaching at the Feast of Booths.

The description of the opposition. vss. 1-2

The demand of his brothers. vss. 3-4

The distrust of his brothers. vs. 5

The dividing statement of the Lord. vss. 6-9

The departing for the feast. vs. 10

The discussion of the people. vss. 11-13

The debut of the Lord incognito. vss. 14-24

Let us continue to read beginning in verses 25-29.

John 7:25–29 “25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? 26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? 27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. 28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. 29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.”

Let’s Pray

Would you notice with me the next point in our outline from verses 25-27.

h. The division and decision of the crowd. vss. 25-27

We noted earlier in our study of this chapter, that there is much discussion concerning the Lord.

In fact, in verses 11-13 of this chapter we see some of what people had to say.

We noted also, that still today people are speaking about the Lord and have all manners of things to say concerning Him.

But I want you to make note of a very important point fact that is seen in our text.

Would you notice with me that in the midst of the peoples indecision concerning the Lord, we have the Word of God being spoken?

We should note this, because the longer we live in this age of deception, the more people will have stranger and stranger opinions as to who the Lord is and what truth is.

What are we to do to combat such a thing?

How can we guide people to what is right and what is truth?

Well, taken from the example of our Savior, we can give people the Word of God.

If nothing was to be done at all, our Savior would not have spoken.

But we see, by His example He speaks and gives them truth.

This is the important admonishment that we are given in 1 Peter.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:14–16 “14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”

We see first of all the crowds division.

The Bible tells us in verses 25 and 26 “25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? 26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?”

“…the local people’s response was that of reasoning and drawing a tragic conclusion.” (POSB)

So many today by sheer reasoning come to a tragic conclusion.

On parade in this short passage is such a wide variety of the fickle beliefs of men.

Not only is there division, but there is a decision made by the people.

Verse 27 tells us “27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.”

These people make a decision based on what they believed to be true.

“The rabbis taught that the messiah would come from Bethlehem and then be hidden, nobody knowing where, only to appear suddenly.”

“A tradition had developed in Jewish circles (based on a misinterpretation of Isaiah 53:8 and Malachi 3:1) that the identity of Messiah would be wholly unknown until He appeared and redeemed the nation. Jesus’ background in Nazareth was documented.” (John McArthur)

“How could he possibly be the Christ?”

The fact was, nobody really knew whence He was, though He told them that He had come from the Father. And so, in the most basic sense they denied the Word of God. They made a decision based on reasoning. They made a decision based on human insight.

My friend, I know I repeat it often, but it must be repeated. We do not base our beliefs on the opinions of men, but on the Word of God.

There will always be a decision by the people when the Lord is presented. If you have had any experience telling someone about the Lord you know this to be true.

One cannot sit on the sideline of indecision. Perhaps no words are expressed one way or another. But within the heart of man and the thoughts of his mind, a decision has been made.

Likewise, when the Lord knocks on our hearts door, a decision must be made. We can either do what is right in His eyes, or we do what is contrary to His Word.

Not only do we see the division and decision of the crowd, but secondly we see:

i. The disclosing of the Lord. vss. 28-29

In verses 28-29 , we read these words:

John 7:28–29 “28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. 29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.”

What a wonderful testimony of the Lord’s goodness, mercy, and grace to reveal Himself once again.

They were ignorant of the Lord’s divine origin.

The Lord in verse 28 lifted up His voice, in His Temple.

John Philips stated rightly concerning this, “If God was to be known, it was not to be in some pagan shrine, but here, in the Temple. Originally in the tabernacle, and then, later in the Temple, God manifested His presence. The structure itself, and the sacrifices and services connected with it were all designed to make God known.”

Ironically, in the very place that the Jews claimed to meet with God, they knew Him not. The Lord cries aloud for every one to hear concerning His identity. The language here expressed gives that very idea, that this was shouted from a heart of compassion toward lost man.

So vividly, do we see what was summarized in John 1:10–11 concerning His identity, “10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

One is certainly taken back by the wide variety of opinions that were expressed.

In verse 3, they were antagonistic toward Him.

In verse 5, they did not believe Him.

In verse 12, they claimed He is a good man.

In the same verse, some claimed He was a deceiver.

In verse 20, they claimed He was insane.

In verse 25 as well as verse 1 there were those who sought to kill him.

In verse 27, they claim He is nothing more than a man.

In verses 30 and 43, they sought to arrest him.

In verse 31 there were some who believed on Him.

In verse 28, the Lord reveals their unsaved state. In verse 29, He reveals who He is.

John 7:28–29 “28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. 29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.”

“This statement was like pouring salt in a wound. To tell a Jew he doesn’t know God is a great insult, but it is the truth if that Jew does not know Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. People are offended when they are told they are sinners and are on their way to Hell without Christ. They get upset when they are told their good works will not save them. It may be offensive to hear these things, but they are true.” (Mattoon)

The purpose of this revelation was that some might believe and be saved.

In verses 30-45, we then see:

j. The design to take Him. vss. 30-45

It is hard to imagine what unfolds after the Lord again reveals His identity.

Verse 32 tells us that some believed, but because of this belief, the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. (vs. 32)

Can you imagine oppression of this kind? The truth was given to these and some were beginning to walk through the door of faith.

The Lord said of these who persuaded the crowds in Luke 11:52 “52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.”

Let it never be said of any Christian that we have hindered any from coming to Christ.

As the religious crowd realized their influence and power was in danger they send a detachment of men to seize the Lord.

I would like to see however what is recorded in verse 30.

Would you notice it with me.

John 7:30 “30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.”

His hour was coming, but it was not yet. In this very verse we see the power of man versus the power of God.

The enemies of Christ sought to take him. The enemy of our souls likewise seeks to devour us.

In spite of all that men could do, in spite of the leading of Satan Himself, they could no lay hands on Him.

It seems crazy that the Lord would continue to engage the crowd knowing that they designed to kill Him.

In fact in verse 26 they marvel at this by saying, And lo, He speaketh boldly…

I was just recently reminded of the curse of Cain for murdering his brother Abel. And Cain rightly thought that those who found him would murder him. But yet this did not happen. God placed a mark upon Cain so that none would kill him (Genesis 4:15).

We may think also of David, running for His life from Saul. But David could not be killed by Saul, for He was protected by God.

Job another clear example, shows the worst kind of suffering and lost to man—- second only the Lord Jesus Christ, yet Job’s life was protected by God.

Proverbs 21:30 “30 There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against the Lord.”

We fear and fret about so many things. Yet God has a purpose and has His hand upon us.

The Lord could speak boldly in the face of a hostile crowd so that some might be saved and know that “…his hour was not yet come.”

Further, we understand by that statement that though His hour had not yet come, it was coming.

Our hour too, so to speak, is on the horizon.

It would do us well to realize that our time to influence others is limited. We have but whatever measure God has determined for us. That time may be many many years or it may be our very next breath.

But we can declare that that hour is coming.

Romans 13:11 states, “11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”

Notice what the Lord states in verses 33 and 34.

John 7:33–34 “33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. 34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.”

Verse 33 speaks of his impending crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and then ascension. All of this was before the Lord, the time was coming. It would be just a little while. (Six months to be exact.)

Though the Lord was robed in flesh, He declared that He saw the long view of things.

It is very important for you and I not to become shortsighted.

Colossians 3:1–3 tells us, “1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

There is coming a day when our faith will be sight.

The Lord tells them, these things would come to pass. A little while He would still be with them. But then, after His death, burial and resurrection, He would leave this Earth.

They would seek in vain to find the body of Christ, because the tomb would be empty and is still empty today.

I am reminded of Isaiah 55:6 “6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, Call ye upon him while he is near:”

These words properly apply to the opportunity of folks to receive Christ as their Savior.

If these were to die without Christ, they could not be where He is.

I thought about how fleeting and frail this life is. We live as if tomorrow will always come, we believe we will live in the same way as we are at this present moment.

But the Bible tells us in Proverbs 27:1 “1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

Six months from this time, the Lord of glory would be gone, but His disciples would spread the gospel to the end of the earth. They would be empowered by God’s indwelling presence.

Notice the reply to the Lord’s statements.

John 7:35–40 “35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? 36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?”

Later on the gospel would be preached to the dispersed among the Gentiles. But this of course is not what the Lord was speaking about.

We would understand that going to the Gentiles and among the dispersed was another offensive act to the Jews.

You and I can read these words, knowing what will take place, because we know the rest of the story. The Jews however did not have the rest of the story as you and I do.

As we finish up today, let us rejoice in the fact that we that we have the Scriptures. We ought to rejoice that the Lord has allowed us to understand truth.

We are not confused as these were. The choice really is clear, we either believe the Word of the Lord or we do not.