John 7 reminds me of the fear of commitment. We hear; “I’m just not ready yet”. Frequently this is associated with “settling down” in marriage. Sadly, the other person can react with anger, or threats or even deception in order to force a promise. Love cannot be coerced. Today’s chapter is about being ready when the right one comes. We begin with an intentional delay. Jesus remained in Galilee rather than going to Judea, “because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill Him”. The Jewish Festival of the Tabernacles was approaching, and His brothers urged Him to take the opportunity to take His ministry public, “show Yourself to the world”. We read a very interesting bit of information, “For even His own brothers did not believe in Him”. Relationships do not blossom without belief in the other person’s substance. Jesus explained, “My time is not yet here”. He added, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify that its works are evil”. Just like today, some rebel against God’s standards with intense loathing. We read that Jesus went to the festival, but not publicly. He did not travel with an entourage of worshippers, though He did not hide. I believe He wanted to be among the common people to help them see Him up close.
The Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus. Naturally there was widespread whispering about Him among the crowd. Some said, “He is a good man”, others said, “No, He deceives the people”. John adds, “But no one would say anything publicly about Him for fear of the leaders”. It is amazing how the influence of others can change our perception of our potential mate. About then Jesus went to the Temple Courts and began to teach. The scholars were amazed, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?” Jesus boldly answered, “My teaching is not My own. It comes from the One who sent Me… My teaching comes from God”. He then questioned them, “Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law”. His point was that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s perfection, yet they were mad at Him for teaching God’s Word. He asked, “Why are you trying to kill Me?” Some blame God for their own mess. Friend, are you mad at the messenger?
For the rest of the chapter they debated about the compatibility of Jesus to the qualifications of Messiah. He lectured the fickle crowd, “I did one miracle, and you are all amazed… Stop judging by mere appearances”. I do believe in love at first sight, but looks can be deceiving. Some in the crowd questioned, “We know this man… when the Messiah comes, no one will know where He is from”. Jesus linked Himself to God Almighty, “I know Him because I am from Him and He sent Me”. This was clearly a claim to be Messiah, “At this they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come”. We read, “Still, many in the crowd believed in Him”. On the last day of the great festival that celebrated God’s provision, Jesus stood. In a loud voice He proclaimed, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them”. This was a promise for the Holy Spirit of God. John adds, “whom those who believed in Him were later to receive”. Many were still uncertain. Some said, “Surely this man is the Prophet”, others said, “He is the Messiah”. Even the guards sent to arrest Jesus said, “No one ever spoke the way this man does”. The Jewish leaders were furious and just wanted Him gone. Nicodemus asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him?” The chapter ends with instructions for Nick to “Look into it”. My friend, are you still saying you are just not ready yet to fully accept God’s Love? Maybe it is time to stop listening to others and look into it yourself?