Jesus understood rejection more than anybody else(John 1:11; 6:66; 7:34). Though He did all things well, only few followed Him. Many hated Him so He stayed in Galilee. In the seventh chapter of John's Gospel, we see the teaching of Jesus about His person. His teaching was remarkably simple. He used common everyday objects to illustrate eternal truth. His teaching was saturated with scripture and very personal. He taught from life's situations. In His teaching Jesus always challenges His listeners to make a choice about His identity.
In this chapter we see that Jesus brothers did not accept Him. They advised Him to go to Jerusalem to perform mighty works to influence the crowd. There is a mockery in their voice as they advised Jesus. He came to His own and His own received Him not. Jesus said to His brother"My time has not yet come". He had no desire to gain popularity and influence people with His miracle. He did all things according to His Father's direction , timetable and for His glory. Christians should always follow this example. Jesus told His brothers the same thing he told His mother He had no desire to please anyone but the Father.We should not seek man's approval while serving Christ.
Jesus taught openly at the temple. Those you heard were divided in their opinion of Jesus. Some thought He is a wonderful man and others said He is a deceiver. Jewish leaders amazed at His teaching and said how does He know so much without formal education.. Because of the fear of expulsion no one spoke favorably. Jesus told them that to understand His teaching one must have the desire to obey the will of God. This is a time less principle. Understanding is not a requirement for salvation but faith. Faith is not an intellectual issue but a moral issue.Jews found nothing wrong with circumcising on Sabbath yet accused Jesus for healing on Sabbath. Christ said it is illogical and stop judging on the surface. He emphasised that the spirit of the law is more important than the letter of law. They were amazed at his boldness and thought, may be He is Messiah. Jewish leaders wanted to arrest Jesus. But they could not arrest Him because His hour of crucifixion has not yet come.
This chapter concludes with Jesus' claim that He is the source of living water(John 7:37-38). He is the source of everlasting life. Jesus made this statement on the last day feast. Thus He has shown the emptiness of religious feast that failed to satisfy people. One who believes in Christ not only be satisfied but also becomes a channel of blessing to others. Here Jesus was referring to the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciple after His ascension. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit brings satisfaction and blessings. This would not happen with casual commitment. Religious leaders wanted Jesus to be arrested. Officers were powerless to arrest Jesus because "No one ever spoke like Jesus"(7:46). Being one of the ruler Nicodemus defended Jesus and requested a fair hearing. Instead of answering his legitimate request, his fellow rulers ignored him and said search the scripture and see for yourself that no prophet comes from Galilee. Thus they have shown their ignorance of the Scripture, since Jonah and Nahum came from Galilee.Are you ashamed of Jesus? Let us ask ourselves, how committed we are confessing Christ to others. May God help us!!
In this chapter we see that Jesus brothers did not accept Him. They advised Him to go to Jerusalem to perform mighty works to influence the crowd. There is a mockery in their voice as they advised Jesus. He came to His own and His own received Him not. Jesus said to His brother"My time has not yet come". He had no desire to gain popularity and influence people with His miracle. He did all things according to His Father's direction , timetable and for His glory. Christians should always follow this example. Jesus told His brothers the same thing he told His mother He had no desire to please anyone but the Father.We should not seek man's approval while serving Christ.
Jesus taught openly at the temple. Those you heard were divided in their opinion of Jesus. Some thought He is a wonderful man and others said He is a deceiver. Jewish leaders amazed at His teaching and said how does He know so much without formal education.. Because of the fear of expulsion no one spoke favorably. Jesus told them that to understand His teaching one must have the desire to obey the will of God. This is a time less principle. Understanding is not a requirement for salvation but faith. Faith is not an intellectual issue but a moral issue.Jews found nothing wrong with circumcising on Sabbath yet accused Jesus for healing on Sabbath. Christ said it is illogical and stop judging on the surface. He emphasised that the spirit of the law is more important than the letter of law. They were amazed at his boldness and thought, may be He is Messiah. Jewish leaders wanted to arrest Jesus. But they could not arrest Him because His hour of crucifixion has not yet come.
This chapter concludes with Jesus' claim that He is the source of living water(John 7:37-38). He is the source of everlasting life. Jesus made this statement on the last day feast. Thus He has shown the emptiness of religious feast that failed to satisfy people. One who believes in Christ not only be satisfied but also becomes a channel of blessing to others. Here Jesus was referring to the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciple after His ascension. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit brings satisfaction and blessings. This would not happen with casual commitment. Religious leaders wanted Jesus to be arrested. Officers were powerless to arrest Jesus because "No one ever spoke like Jesus"(7:46). Being one of the ruler Nicodemus defended Jesus and requested a fair hearing. Instead of answering his legitimate request, his fellow rulers ignored him and said search the scripture and see for yourself that no prophet comes from Galilee. Thus they have shown their ignorance of the Scripture, since Jonah and Nahum came from Galilee.Are you ashamed of Jesus? Let us ask ourselves, how committed we are confessing Christ to others. May God help us!!
