Following The Word 18

Jesus’ Words Are Captivating

Text: John 7:37-53

Introduction

Remember what was taking place:

The Feast of Tabernacles looked back to Israel’s journey through the wilderness, and looked forward to the promised kingdom of Messiah. The Jews lived in booths made of branches to remind them of God’s providential care of the nation for nearly forty years. (Warren Wiersbe; The Bible Exposition)

Following the Feast of Trumpets and the solemn Day of Atonement, Tabernacles was a festive time for the people. The temple area was illumined by large candlesticks that reminded the people of the guiding pillar of fire; and each day the priests would carry water from the Pool of Siloam and pour it out from a golden vessel, reminding the Jews of the miraculous provision of water from the rock.(Warren Wiersbe; The Bible Exposition)

The feast may have been a jubilant time for the people, but it was a difficult time for Jesus, for it marked the beginning of open and militant opposition to Him and His ministry. Ever since He had healed the paralytic on the Sabbath Day, Jesus had been targeted by the Jewish leaders who wanted to kill Him. (Warren Wiersbe; The Bible Exposition)

They are now at the last day of the feast.

There is a phrase spoken in our text tonight that has been ringing through the centuries. It is found in verse 46. The religious police are the ones who spoke these unforgettable words: “Never man spake like this man.”

Oh how true it is today! When Jesus speaks like no one else!

There are three realities that come from the words of Jesus: 1) Jesus’ Word’s Create life; 2) Jesus’ Word’s Created Disruption; 3) Jesus’ Words Created Loneliness

1) Jesus’ Word’s Create Life

(v37-39)

A. Jesus cried out

Illustration: Can you image the impact you would make if you walked into a quite library and blew and air horn, lol?

Jesus had previously told them in verses 33-34 that his time with them would be short. He told them they could not come where He was going. They would not be physically able to follow Him into the highest Heaven.

For many of them, if they didn’t come to Christ then, they would never come!

a) Jesus is teaching them a couple of doctrinal truths:

First, Jesus is once again speaking of His connection with the Holy Spirit; He is equal with God!

I am so comforted with the fact that no matter if it’s the Father, Son, or Spirit, the spiritual work done to all those who surrender to God is perfect, holy, sufficient, strengthening, peaceful, joyful, purposeful, and with eternal value!

Secondly, the supply of the Spirit would be eternal in nature.

Jesus is making a reference to a theme found in several Old Testament passages:

Isaiah 12:3 “3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

Isaiah 58:11 “11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, And satisfy thy soul in drought, And make fat thy bones: And thou shalt be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”

Zechariah 13:1 “1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened To the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem For sin and for uncleanness.”

There is no possibility of anyone running out of spiritual hydration when God’s Spirit lives in them.

Illustration: Its a lot like the hibiscus trees I had.

b) Jesus taught them the gospel

“If anyone thirsts” — I love the gospel you and I get to share! ANYONE!!!

“Come to Me and drink” — Remember Jesus described Himself as the “Living Water.” “Drinking” is equivalent to “believing.” Jesus (The Living Word) is speaking on the authority of the written Word!

“Out of his heart” — This reminds the world that eternal life has nothing to do with any external production of humanity.

“Rivers of living water” — This paints the picture in our mind about God being the exclusive source of all grace to make one’s soul alive.

As Moses smote the rock, so it was that our Lord was smitten. He returned at length to his home on high and sent the Holy Spirit to take his place on earth. The Holy Spirit filled the disciples. On the day of Pentecost the rivers began to flow. The church was born. Thousands were saved. That ever flowing river flows still. Those who come to Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who is abundantly able to fill them and pour out his blessing to others.Phillips, John. 2009. Exploring the Gospel of John: An Expository Commentary. The John Phillips Commentary Series. Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.

As Israel in the Old Testament drank from that lifegiving stream flowing from the riven rock, so Christ offers those who believe in him an ever flowing, never failing, soul satisfying, thirst quenching inner supply of living water.Phillips, John. 2009. Exploring the Gospel of John: An Expository Commentary. The John Phillips Commentary Series. Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.

B. The Holy Spirit Would Cried Out

Notice verse 39

Jesus would soon return back to His former glory with the Father

John 17:5 “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

Jesus has not left us without a Spiritual herald to speak to our souls!

John 16:7 “7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”

2) Jesus’ Words Created Disruption

(v39-44) Some believed, some were Confused, and some hated the possible truth about the identity of Jesus. They disputed about where Jesus was from and what the prophecy says about the Messiah.

A. There were some who believed the message of Jesus:

I am not certain why the expression Jesus used of “living water” made such a stir in so many hearts?

I will say this, when you know you are thirsty, you will want that thirst satisfied!

There are people who know they are thirsty and some who don’t…The message you have is what they need!

B. There were some who hindered the message of Jesus:

What has just been illustrated by the crowd is the danger of half truths!

They said, “Won’t he come out of Galilee?”

They said, “Won’t he come out of the lineage of David?”

They said, “Won’t he come from Bethlehem? That is where David was from?”

They were completely right in their eschatology (study of future events), but completely wrong in their final estimation about Jesus!

Here is what is interesting: The very scriptures they used to build their doubts on about the identity of Jesus Christ, are the very scriptures that would have answered their questions if they took the time to search them out.

Quote: “Nearly all unbelief is bolstered by the same methods of pseudoscholarship.”Phillips, John. 2009. Exploring the Gospel of John: An Expository Commentary. The John Phillips Commentary Series. Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.

C. There were some who hated the message of Jesus:

Notice verses 44-50

a) The religious militia were stripped of their zeal

Some “wanted to take Him…but wouldn’t”

Even the Sanhedrin police were impressed by what Jesus had said.

It was not merely that Jesus was a great orator. It was not simply that he voiced truth in a memorable form. It was not just that he spoke with authority. It was that he spoke the words of God. Whether it was the sermon on the mount or one of his parables, each was a miracle in words; whether he was speaking with that voice that wakes the dead, answering his critics, or instructing his disciples, it was true that no one spoke as he did. John Phillips, Exploring the Gospel of John: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Jn 7:45–49.

b) The religious authorities scorned the militia

They were saying in simple terms, “Are you as stupid as everyone else?!”

c) The religious authorities respond in arrogance

What did the common people know of the scope and subtlety of the oral law and the traditions of the elders? Nothing. They were an ignorant crowd who broke the rabbinical rulings everyday. Such untaught people might imagine that the claims of Jesus had some validity. But what can you expect from such dolts? Name a single man of learning and repute who has been deceived by this so-called messiah. John Phillips, Exploring the Gospel of John: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Jn 7:45–49.

Illustration: The way they handle the scriptures is like someone carry a map around, understanding what it says, how to get from one place to the next, but then sticking it back on their shelf and staying put.

d) They spoke with arrogance but with stupidity as they responded to Nicodemus.

I love how “one” night of conversation drove Nicodemus to go to Jesus’ defense.

The religious leaders made a critical error (v52):

They were wrong. Elijah, the greatest of all the prophets, came from Gilead. Jonah came from Gath-Hepher, a stone’s throw from Nazareth. It is of interest that at one time the Jews thought that Jesus was Elijah (Matthew 16:14) and also that the Lord had likened himself to Jonah (Matthew 12:38–40). John Phillips, Exploring the Gospel of John: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Jn 7:50–52.

This is exactly why God’s children need to be careful to listening to everyone who calls themself a scholar on YouTube.

We live in a day where you better study something out and know all the facts!!!

3) Jesus’ Words Created Loneliness

Illustration: Have you ever been with a group of people or even in a church where you felt so alone?

A. Not one person welcomed Jesus in their home

Everyone else went home. The priests and Pharisees went home; Nicodemus went home; the captain of the temple went home; the officers went home; the people of Jerusalem went home. Lights were kindled, fires were lit, supper was put on the table, people washed their hands, changed into more comfortable clothes, reclined on their couches, played with their children, yawned, snuffed their candles, and went to bed. Jesus went to the mount of Olives. Shame on you, Nicodemus. Why didn’t you invite him home with you? John Phillips, Exploring the Gospel of John: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Jn 7:53–8:1.

Matthew 8:20 “20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”

Jesus is knocking…will you let Him in?

Conclusion

Here is a sobering question for you:

Is Jesus welcomed in your home?

Is Jesus welcomed in your life?

Is Jesus welcomed in your marriage?

Is Jesus welcomed in your words and thoughts?

How many of you here tonight believe that Jesus’ Word’s are life changing? If so, is there any further change in your life than there was yesterday? If Jesus’ words changes lives, where is the change in your life?

We have witness several responses a person can give toward the words of Jesus Christ. What will yours be?