If John's Gospel is a testimony that calls readers to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, it should not surprise us to find witnesses, judgments, trials, and the need for the reader to make a decision: Who do you say Christ is?
In the other three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the climactic moments of Jesus's earthly life result in a trial that sentences Christ to the cross. In John's Gospel, the same trial is recorded, but in actuality, that trial spans the whole book.
In John 3, Nicodemus comes to question Jesus.
In John 4, it is the Samaritan woman.
In John 5, it is the Jewish leaders.
In John 6, it is the crowds whom Jesus fed.
And now in John 7, it is Jesus's brothers and the crowds in Jerusalem who question Jesus.
Not surprisingly, the life and works of Jesus divide the people, even as the person and work of Christ continue to divide humanity. Who is Jesus? Is he good or evil? Lord or lunatic? Savior or imposter? These are questions that continue to have weight today, even as they did in the days of Christ.
On Sunday, we will face these questions head on, to see again that Jesus is the Son who is bringing light into the world. Indeed, such light produces different results, but it is light that we must all come to see and render a verdict on. For in fact, his light is actually exposing our hearts and testing our faith.
In preparation for Sunday, take time to read John 7. Notice how it begins with Jesus's brothers and ends with Nicodemus. Clearly, John is showing us how he is bringing people into the light. And for those of us who live in a world of darkness, we need to see how.
Take time to pray for our service and for those who come. May God shine his light upon us, as we gather to gaze at his grace and glory.
As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
For His Glory and your joy,
Pastor David
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Discussion & Response Questions: John 7:1-36
How do the characters in these verses respond to Jesus? (his brothers, the crowds, the people of Jerusalem, the chief priests and Pharisees)
How does the structure of John 7 help us understand the message?
Why does Jesus decline to go to the feast with his brothers? Is he lying? Or is something else going on?
How do the people see Jesus? (vv. 11-12)
What does Jesus reveal about his teaching? What does this reveal about the mission of the Son?
As many are misjudging Jesus, what does Jesus rightly judge about them? What do we learn about our own standing before Jesus?
What is the crowds' misunderstanding of the Messiah's identity? (vv. 24-27)
What is this passage revealing about Jesus' hour?
From what we see of Jesus in these verses, how should we respond to Him?
What does the triad of Sabbath, Circumcision, and the Law teach us about the gospel and our response to God in Christ?
