Amazing Love's Timing and Truth

Introduction

John 7:10-

John 7:10–15 AV 1873

10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto 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 murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. 13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. 14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

Teaching in the Temple

John 7:10 AV 1873

10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

Good timing in the temperature of our environment is vital. We cannot force God’s will, we must wait upon it so that the path is clear and observable. When God’s path seems dim or out of view, remember what was true in the light is still true in the darkness.

John 1–11: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Right Time

By delaying His departure until after His brothers had gone up to the feast Jesus was able to go to Jerusalem not publicly, but as if, in secret. The Lord’s caution was in marked contrast to the course of action His brothers had urged Him to take and, to them, inconsistent with Him being the Messiah.

John 7:11–13 AV 1873

11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? 12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. 13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

There will always be opinions, but opinions do not dictate to will of God. As we see here, people are perfectly willing to air opinions without Him being there, as long has they do not have to answer for those opinions.

John 7:14–15 AV 1873

14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

The training and wisdom from above supersedes the ability and difficulty of man.

Training in Truth

John 7:16 AV 1873

16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

The ability to discern wise and right teaching shows your relationship with the Father (v. 16).

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 7:16–17

The religious authorities figured that either a person studied in a traditional school or else he was self-taught. But Jesus’ reply pointed to a third alternative. His teaching was from God who had commissioned Him (cf. 12:49–50; 14:11, 24). Jesus was God-taught, and to know Jesus properly one must be God-taught (6:45). In order to evaluate Jesus’ claim, one must desire to do God’s will.

John 7:17–19 AV 1873

17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

Godly people can see self seeking behavior for what it is. This statement stands directly against the pompous religious people of the day who everyone to fit into the legalistic religious system where they could exercise authority. To wit Jesus gave a resounding, NO! Remember that this is the system He created and then also the system He grew up under. I am sure that He saw the difference. He saw the difference between the heart issues of obedience and the cooky religious box people were expected to fit into.

Jesus did not seek His own, but rather said for us to

Matthew 6:33 AV 1873

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

It was no His own will, His own opinion, but rather the will and words of the Father.

Trampling the Lies of Legalism

John 7:20 AV 1873

20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

John 7:20

The question is asked, but I believe people knew. I think the question was more about personal exoneration than the idea that no one was out to get Him. Remember that Jesus knew they were trying to find a way to kill Him:

John 5:16 AV 1873

16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 7:16–17

The religious authorities figured that either a person studied in a traditional school or else he was self-taught. But Jesus’ reply pointed to a third alternative. His teaching was from God who had commissioned Him (cf. 12:49–50; 14:11, 24). Jesus was God-taught, and to know Jesus properly one must be God-taught (6:45). In order to evaluate Jesus’ claim, one must desire to do God’s will.

John 6:41 AV 1873

41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

John 7:1 AV 1873

1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

John 7:21–23 AV 1873

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision, not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers; and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. 23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

John 7:21-

Only the things that fit into their mold, can work. Jesus corrected this thinking with a healthy dose of reality. If you can do these things on the Sabbath, then why is it a problem for me to heal on the Sabbath?

John 7:24 AV 1873

24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

What we see is not always what God is communicating. What we know in the light will always be true in the darkness. Righteousness does not change, but opinions and appearances always will.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 7:24

Their problem was that they understood the Scriptures only superficially. They majored in minors and missed the intents of many passages (cf. Matt. 23:23; John 5:39–40). They were judging by mere appearances. Their superficial understanding was caused by their hostility against God’s Representative. In their darkness they erred. Jesus called them to make a right judgment; ultimately this was a call for them to repent.

John 7:25–26 AV 1873

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 ruling religious class was seen as the aggressor because they were known as controllers and manipulators so that they could keep any amount of power. So the natural deduction of righteous people was to support who the power hungry were against.