Looking for Jesus (2)
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
As we begin looking at our passage today we must remember what has just happened. Over the past two weeks we have looked as some of the “hard sayings” of Jesus.
As a result of Jesus’ teachings while he was in Galilee, we read,
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
Many of those who had been consistently following Him, and had some kind of commitment to Him, theses people ended up falling away.
And Jesus asked the 12 if they wanted to leave too.
So many people today begin following Jesus for the “wrong” reasons. We’re going to see that the same was true in Jesus’ day.
If you have your Bibles, I want to challenge you to turn with me to John chapter 7, and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.
After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him.
Several Markers
“After this. . .” Sometime after Jesus’ discussion of eating his flesh and drinking his blood, our next even happens (v. 1a).
Jesus is traveling throughout Galilee (v. 1b).
He does not want to go to Judea (the region that Jerusalem is located) (v. 1c).
Jesus knows that the religious leaders are looking to kill him (v. 1d).
But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near,
The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles is about to take place (v. 2).
Feast of Tabernacles
Feast of Tabernacles
Now in case you don’t know about the “The Feast of Tabernacles,” let me share a little bit of insight for you.
It was also known as Sukkot, and is one of the three major Jewish pilgrimage festivals. This seven-day celebration, which falls in the biblical month of Tishri (September-October), commemorates the Israelites' wilderness experience after the Exodus from Egypt.
During the festival, Jews are required to construct and dwell in temporary shelters or booths, symbolizing the temporary homes of their ancestors during their desert wanderings.
The feast is characterized by great joy and thanksgiving, emphasizing agricultural fertility, the gift of rainfall, and honoring God's kingship.
It also serves as a time for instruction in social concern and reliance on God.
The festival involves various rituals, including the waving of four species of plants: the citron, palm, myrtle, and willow.
In ancient times, it was celebrated at the place of the sanctuary, with offerings made on the altar each day.
The Feast of Tabernacles is seen as having eschatological significance, with some prophetic visions depicting it as a time when all nations will come to Jerusalem to worship.
Markers
Markers
Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do.
Jesus’ Half-Brothers
Jesus’ Half-Brothers
John brings in the fact that Jesus had 1/2 brothers (and presumably sisters) (v. 3a).
Jesus’ brothers come and tell him to (v. 3):
Leave Galilee
Go to Judea (Jerusalem)
Preform His “works” or “miracles” so that ALL the people can see what He does.
No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”
After all, anyone who wants to be “famous” (a public figure), does his “acts” in places where the greatest public exposure can happen (v. 4a).
They tell Jesus to “Show yourself to the world” (v. 4b).
For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
John gives us a little insight into the brothers. The don’t believe that Jesus is who he claims to be! (v. 5).
In many ways, they my be chiding Jesus. They want him to go and prove who he is with some amazing demonstration, but in reality they don’t believe he can do it!
SIDE NOTE: How many times to I try to push Jesus into doing what I want Him to do, but i really don’t believe He can do what I’m asking.
Jesus’ Response
Jesus’ Response
Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do.
Jesus replies to his brothers by saying that it is not his time to act (v. 6a).
He goes on to tell them that they are not on a schedule so any time would do for them (v. 6b).
The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.
After all, Jesus tells them that the world doesn’t hate them (v. 7a).
But the world does HATE Jesus (v. 7b).
The world hates Him because He testifies that its works are evil! (v. 7c).
You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.”
He tells them to go on and go to the festival (v. 8a).
But he isn’t going to the festival because his time has not fully come (v. 8b).
After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.
So he stayed in Galilee (v. 9).
Jesus Goes to the Festival on His Own Terms
Jesus Goes to the Festival on His Own Terms
However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.
After his brothers headed out to the festival, Jesus also went (v. 10a).
But he went privately—quietly and without being a public spectacle (v. 10b).
The Religious Leaders
The Religious Leaders
Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”
The religious leaders (in Jerusalem) were watching for Jesus to arrive (v. 11a).
They kept asking, “Where is he?” (v. 11b). They knew that a good Jewish teacher would certainly show up for this important festival!
The Religious Leaders
The Religious Leaders
Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”
The religious leaders (in Jerusalem) were watching for Jesus to arrive (v. 11a).
They kept asking, “Where is he?” (v. 11b). They knew that a good Jewish teacher would certainly show up for this important festival!
The Crowd’s Response
The Crowd’s Response
Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”
There was a lot of quiet talk about him (v. 12a). They were whispering about him because of fear (cf. v. 13).
Some believed that Jesus was a “good man!” (v. 12b).
Others thought he was deceiving the people—leading the people astray (v. 12c).
But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.
But NO ONE would say anything publicly about Jesus because they were afraid of the religious leaders! (v. 13).
So What?
So What?
