Following the light of the world, Jesus
John 8:12 (NKJV)
“I Am the Light of the World”
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Message
I. The light of the world, Jesus
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” in John 9:5 (NJKV) as well. John 1:4 (NKJV) says, “In Him was life, and the life is the light of men.” John 1:9 (NLT) says, “The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” ‘Jesus is the light’ is repeated in these verses.
II. Eternal life in Jesus
‘the light’ is the ‘life in Him’ (John 1:4). Here the ‘life’ is ‘eternal life’. ‘eternal life’ is defined in John 17:3 and is ‘the experiential relationship with the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.’
III. Following Jesus
‘He who follows Me’: what is ‘following Jesus’? We can learn His teachings from the four (4) Books of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). The Book of Acts show the works of His followers. The twenty-one (21) Books of the Letters (from Romans to Jude in the New Testaments) assist in understanding and applying His teachings. The Book of Revelation is a special book that contains revelations from God. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:29) consists of three chapters and shows many key teachings of Jesus to follow. Matthew 16:24 (NLT) says,
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”
This is also written in Mark 8:34, 10:21, and Luke 9:23. To write some of His teachings that I personally select for this section, there are ‘How to become a good neighbour’ (Luke 10:30-37), ‘Duty to care for the poor (food, clothes, housing)’ (Luke 16:19-31), ‘Serving to become great among followers’ (Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 10:42-45), ‘Forgiving and praying for followers (their mistakes and faults)’ (John 13:4-17), etc.
IV. Darkness – the result of not following Jesus
‘darkness’ is ‘death’. ‘death’ is defined in Romans 8:6a (NIV). ‘the mind governed by the flesh (=sinful nature)’ is ‘death’.
‘walk in darkness’ is ‘live in the mind governed by one’s sinful nature’.
V. Light – the result of following Jesus
‘have the light of life’ is ‘have the mind governed by the Spirit’ (Romans 8:6b NIV) and ‘have the experiential relationship with God’ (John 17:3).
He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first
John 7:53–8:11 (NKJV)
53 And everyone went to his own house.
A Woman is Caught in Adultery
8 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
11 She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Message
I. Everyone to his own house, Jesus to the mount (7:53, 8:1)
See John 7:53 and 8:1.
53 And everyone went to his own house.
1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
These verses show Jesus had nowhere to lay His head.
“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” said Jesus in Matthew 8:20 (NKJV), when a certain scribe said, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” (Matthew 8:19 NKVJ). Jesus showed the cost of following Him would include giving up a comfortable life for the mission. Possibly Jesus prayed overnight till the early next morning (2a) to rescue a woman from condemnation and the death penalty (8:3-11).
II. He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first (2-11)
See v2-5.
2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”
Leviticus 20:10 (NKJV) says,
10 ‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.
Based on Leviticus 20:2b NKJV (2b The people of the land shall stone him with stones.) and Leviticus 20:27b NKJV (27b They shall stone them with stones. Their blood shall be upon them.), we can tell Leviticus 20:10 commands the death penalty, likely, by stoning. An engaged young woman who is a virgin is her fiancée’s wife. The same penalty is imposed for the adultery involving her (Deuteronomy 22:23-27).
They asked Jesus, “But what do You say?” (5b) They were testing Him to accuse Him (6a). See v6.
6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
Instead of answering them, Jesus stooped down and wrote something on the ground with His finger. God gave two stone tablets written with the finger of God (Exodus 31:18). The Ten Commandments were written in them (Exodus 34:28). This reminds us that Jesus is the Law Giver. See v7.
7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
Jesus gave them a new commandment: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
Jesus didn’t say not to throw a stone at her. If He had said so, it would be contrary to the Law.
In the Law, the witnesses should stone first (Deuteronomy 17:6-7). The witness of the wickedness, who can throw the first stones, should have better moral value and life before they could accuse the wicked person(s) and cause the person(s) to death. Jesus made this ‘better moral value and life’ to be the perfect standard of ‘without sin’. Based on this standard, only Jesus could judge this woman. His new commandment did not abolish the Law but fulfilled the Law according to its true meaning (Matthew 5:17). See v8.
8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
This second writing on the ground reminds us of the new covenant after the first one. For the new covenant, the Law will be put in their minds and written on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34). When Jesus was writing on the ground, the Holy Spirit might be reminding them in their minds and hearts of their sins. See v9.
9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
‘one by one’ shows the Holy Spirit touched each individual’s heart and mind personally. The oldest to the last shows every sin they committed in each person’s life was reminded so that the oldest felt convicted more and left sooner. None could hold a stone of judgment or stand there to judge. But everyone went out of the site. See v10-11a.
10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
11a She said, “No one, Lord.”
Jesus saved her physical life from the stoning. See v11b.
11b And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Jesus forgave her and saved her soul from the eternal condemnation. He was to pay for our sins through the sacrificial death on the cross.
Jesus: the Resurrection and the Life
John 11:1–48 (NKJV)
Christ Raises Lazarus
1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.
14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”
16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”
17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”
32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?”
They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”
35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”
38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
The Pharisees Plan to Kill Christ
45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
Message
I. Jesus who is omniscient tells the purpose of the sickness of Lazarus (1-7)
See v1-2.
1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
The event of Mary anointing the Lord is written in John 12:1-8, Matthew 26:6-13, and Mark 14:3-9. This Mary’s brother Lazarus was sick.
See v3.
3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
V5 says Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus. They are two sisters and one brother. ‘he’ who is sick is their brother Lazarus.
See v4.
4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
But when Jesus heard about it, he said, “Lazarus’ sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” (NLT) Jesus was omniscient and knew the purpose of the sickness of Lazarus. Jesus also knew the purpose of the blindness of the man who was blind from birth (John 9:3). Lazarus’ sickness and death was to glorify the Son of God Jesus because He was to raise Lazarus from death.
This teaches the problems we face will glorify the Lord when we overcome them by faith (by the power of God).
See v5-7.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
Jesus on purpose delayed going to them so that Lazarus might be dead for a longer time before He would raise him back to life.
II. Choose light or darkness, day or night, Jesus or devil (8-10)
See v8-10.
8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
‘the light of this world’ is Jesus (See John 9:5).
‘twelve hours in the day’ is for those who follow the light. 12 hours are half of 24 hours. The half may indicate there is the chance either to follow the light or to follow the darkness in the world (See John 8:12). As long as we follow Jesus, we are walking in the day and do not stumble. So, they can follow Jesus to go to Bethany in Judea and will be safe. The Jews who sought to stone Him walk in the night. Their action of stoning Him shows they stumbled in darkness. Their hearts have no light because they didn’t accept the light of the world, Jesus. They are provided with two choices: light or darkness, day or night, Jesus or devil.
III. Jesus who sees ‘death’ as ‘sleep’ that can be awakened (11-16)
See v11-13.
11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.
Jesus said, ‘sleep’ instead of saying ‘death’. He can raise the dead as easily as walking them up from sleep.
See v14-16.
14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”
16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”
Thomas thought ‘going to Lazarus, who was dead’ meant ‘going to the realm of the dead by dying’. He didn’t think of the resurrection of the dead but of the death of the living. We can know how negative our thoughts used to be.
IV. Jesus who is going to raise Lazarus today (17-24)
See v17-19.
17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
Jesus delayed His departure for two days (John 11:6) and Lazarus was dead for four days when Jesus arrived (17). The fact that Bethany was near Jerusalem (18) indicates ‘many of the Jews’ (19) may include the Jews from Jerusalem.
See v20-22.
20 Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”
V22 shows Martha knew Jesus was able to raise Lazarus if He would ask God for it.
See v23-24.
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
When Jesus said v23, Martha thought of the resurrection ‘at the last day’ rather than ‘today’. There have been many misunderstandings (11-13, 15-16, 23-24, 35-36) related to this event in chapter 11. Related to ‘death’, our expectation seems negative (See John 11:16), ‘limited’ or ‘low’. In Jesus, we can lift up our expectations.
V. Do you believe in Jesus the resurrection and the life or do you believe in the power of death? (25-40)
See v25-26.
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Jesus is the resurrection. So, he who believes in Jesus, though he may physically die, shall live because he is spiritually alive and lives on, can be physically raised just as Lazarus (43, 44), and shall be raised to have a new spiritual and immortal body (25, 1 Corinthians 15:35-45). Jesus is the life. So, whoever lives and believes in Jesus shall never spiritually die (26).
See v27.
27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Martha’s answer to v25, 26 was ‘Yes’ but probably she couldn’t immediately understand v25, 26. So she said what she believed and knew for sure in v27. Because Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, what He says would be nothing but the truth. Therefore she indicates what Jesus said in v25, 26 must be the truth and she believes it.
See v28-32.
28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”
32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Both Martha in v21 and Mary in v32 said the same thing, expressing their regret that Jesus had not been with them before the death of Lazarus. We can imagine that they might experience this incredible sorrow when Lazarus died and was buried. This increased sorrow was to be followed by the greater glory to God. When we experience great sorrow or misery, great glory to God and joy for us may follow in the Light of the world Jesus.
See v33-34.
33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?”
They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”
“Come and see” was used in John 1:39, 46 to invite them to Jesus. But here the same expression was used to show the grave. We see the contrast between the light & the darkness, the life & the death. Jesus the resurrection and the life came to change our darkness and death to light and life.
See v35-36.
35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
The reason Jesus wept was that Mary and others accepted the death (of Lazarus) as an unchangeable fate and so were helplessly weeping. But they thought Jesus was weeping because Jesus felt sad to lose Lazarus He loved. This is one of many misunderstandings (11-13, 15-16, 23-24, 35-36) related to this event in chapter 11.
37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”
This shows they used to think the physical death as the irrevocable end. So, they thought that the death should have been prevented but it was too late after the death.
See v38-39.
38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
When Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” He was going to raise Lazarus. But Martha had an objection to removing the stone. Her reason was the stench from the corrupted corpse. She told Jesus about this negative information because she probably used to believe in the power of death and might think it was too late. No wonder Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life…” and asked Martha, “Do you believe this?” (25, 26)
See v40.
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
Jesus has already said to Martha that her brother would rise again (23). Then He said, “I am the resurrection and the life … Do you believe this?” (25, 26) But she used to believe in the power of death and advised Jesus that there was a stench from the four-day dead body of Lazarus (39). So, Jesus reminded her of what Jesus had said to her (40).
VI. Jesus who raised the four-day dead Lazarus (41-48)
See v41a.
41a Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.
Often, our obedience to His command is required before Jesus may perform the miracle even if we may not understand (See John 2:7, Luke 5:4-5).
See v41b-42.
41b And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”
Jesus lifted up His eyes toward heaven and spoke out that the Father had heard Him. He has already asked the Father to raise Lazarus. And He knew the Father had heard Him and therefore was going to raise Lazarus. The fact that the Father listens to Jesus shows that the Father sent Him. Jesus spoke out this for them to believe it.
See v43.
43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”
Jesus cried with a loud voice. Raising the four-day dead who have been decaying was the most significant historical moment that the resurrection and the life Jesus prevailed our misery and death.
See v44a.
44a And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth.
This verse shows Lazarus was bound with graveclothes and his face was wrapped with a cloth after his death. But the power of the resurrection and the life freed him from the death and raised him back to life.
See v44b.
44b Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
When Lazarus came out of the grave, he was as described in 44a. So, Jesus asked them to loose him so that he could move freely and walk.
See v45-48.
45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
The Jews were expecting the political Messiah who would destroy the Roman Empire and make Israel independent. But Jesus showed the ‘love and sacrifice’ model of Messiahship (See John 6:53-58). Jesus called the Pharisees blind leaders of the blind (Matthew 15:14, 23:16, 17, 19). The Pharisees worried that they would lose the leadership and the Romans would come and take away both their place and nation (48).
“Nothing is too late in Jesus.”
“There is nothing Jesus can’t restore.”
Jesus – the Only Man who spoke like no other
John 7:45–52 (NKJV)
The Sanhedrin is Confused Over Christ
45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”
46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”
47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? 48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”
50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”
52 They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”
Message
I. Jesus who spoke like no other (45-46)
See v45.
45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”
The officers were sent to take Him in John 7:32. To them Jesus said John 7:33-34. That is, Jesus should be with them a little while longer, and be with Him who sent Jesus. Jesus would not be found or reached by them. This might give them less reason to take Him. What did the officers answer to the chief priests and Pharisees? See v46.
46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”
What speech of Him are they referring to? After the officers were sent to take Jesus (John 7:32), Jesus said John 7:33-34 and John 7:37-38.
Based on John 7:33-34, Jesus is distinguished from other prophets. Jesus was from heaven sent by the Father and going back to the Father in heaven. Jesus is the heavenly man (John 3:13, 31-32). Jesus is ‘the Word’ that existed before the creation (John 1:1-3, 14). He is before and greater than any and all great human beings (John 1:15, 27, 30). He was conceived in the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit without a human male. He was fully human and fully God on the earth. He was ‘the Seed of Woman’, who was to destroy the seed of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). In comparison, other prophets were earthly men.
Based on John 7:37-38, rivers of living water will flow out of his heart if he believes in Jesus. The Scripture has said ‘God is the fountain of living water’ (Jeremiah 2:13, 17:13). ‘springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land’ (Isaiah 35:7b NLT). This claim makes Jesus distinguished from all other prophets. He promised powerful change in the hearts of His believers.
II. The Pharisees who boasted of knowing the law but were law-breakers (47-52)
See v47-49.
47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? 48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”
The Pharisees questioned the officers whether they also were deceived. To support their statement (‘deceived’), they mentioned that
- The rulers and Pharisees (who knew the law) did not believe Him.
- This crowd that does not know the law is accursed (or deceived).
See v50-51.
50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”
The Pharisees prided themselves for knowing the law, but they were law-breakers (51, John 7:19). Nicodemus came up with the timely advice (51, Proverbs 25:11). They condemned the innocent man (Jesus) without a hearing. It’s unlawful.
See v52.
52 They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”
John 7:41-42 wrote about a similar issue. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea (the southern part of Israel) but He was moved to Egypt and then to Nazareth in Galilee (the northern part of Israel) when He was young due to the threat of Herod (Matthew 2:13-23). But they didn’t know this. They were judging according to appearance without righteous judgment (John 7:24). We can see their pride, arrogance, bias, and prejudice.
Some recognised, some doubted, and some wanted to take Jesus
John 7:40–44 (NKJV)
Israel is Divided over Christ
40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.”
But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people because of Him. 44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
Message
I. Some recognised Jesus (40, 41a)
See v40, 41a.
40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 41a Others said, “This is the Christ.”
‘this saying’ is what Jesus said in John 7:37, 38.
‘the Prophet’ is ‘a prophet like me’ mentioned by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15,18, 19. Moses made water come out abundantly from the rock for them to drink when there was no water for them in the wilderness of Zin (Numbers 20:1-11). On the other hand, rivers of living water flow out of the heart of him who believes in Jesus (John 7:38). Jesus is ‘the Prophet’ like Moses.
II. Some doubted Jesus (41b, 42, 43)
See v41b, 42.
41b But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”
Jesus was born in Bethlehem but Herod tried to kill Him. So, His parents took Him to Egypt to escape from Herod. After Herod’s death, they came back from Egypt and lived in Nazareth town of Galilee instead of Bethlehem town of Judea for their safety. This paragraph is based on Matthew 2:1-23.
But those who spoke in v41b, 42 didn’t know this. We see people are susceptible to bias and prejudice.
So, there was a division among the people because of Him (43).
III. Some wanted to take Jesus (44)
See v44.
44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
John 7:30 is similar to this verse. But John 7:30 adds ‘because His hour had not yet come.’ The Father has put times or seasons in His own authority (Acts 1:7). Only the Father can decide when someone is born or dies, for example. We may mistakenly think that the hour (or time) is controlled by us but it is by the Father alone.
Jesus Invites Anyone who Thirsts to Come and Drink
John 7:35–39 (NKJV)
35 Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36 What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?”
Christ Reveals the “Living Water”
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Message
See v35-36.
35 Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36 What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?”
They misunderstood what Jesus said in John 7:33-34. Jesus was going back to the Father but they wondered whether He would go to teach the Greeks.
I. He who Believes in Jesus gets the Living Water (37)
See v37.
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
The last day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34) was the great day of the feast. This feast was one of three great yearly feasts. It lasted for eight days. The 1st and the last days were the most solemn. The Lord commanded to keep the feast for them to remember their dwelling in tents during their passage through the wilderness. [1]
On that great day, Jesus stood and cried out,
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” (37)
II. Rivers of Living Water will Flow out of his Heart (38-39)
See v38.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
Jesus introduced ‘living water’ to a Samaritan woman in John 4:10, 13, 14 and again here. Jesus invites ‘anyone who thirsts’ to come to Him and drink. ‘he who believes in Jesus’ gets the living water. This water flows out of his heart.
See v39.
39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
This water is the Holy Spirit, given to those who believe in Him. The Holy Spirit was to come after His glorification, that is, after His death and resurrection.
Without Jesus, people are spiritually dead. Their souls thirst and are dried and dead. They have no love, no compassion, no understanding – no ability to love either God or neighbour. They need living water from Jesus to revive. After believing in Him, they love God – thank Him, praise Him, worship Him, listen to Him, talk to Him… And they love their neighbours – pray for them, listen to them, talk to them, share the Good News with them, invite them to the church… A millionaire may not give anything, but the believers of Jesus start to give. This proves that they became richer than the millionaires.
References
[1] Alexander Cruden, A.M. Cruden’s Complete Concordance to the Old and New Testaments. Zondervan Publishing House. P654.
Believing the Works of God done by Jesus and Only Believers will be in Heaven
John 7:31–34 (NKJV)
31 And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”
Christ’s Departure to the Father
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. 33 Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. 34 You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.”
Message
I. Believing the Works of God Done by Jesus (31)
See v31.
31 And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”
Many believed in Him. They were convinced due to the numerous signs Jesus performed. Jesus wants us to believe the works of God done by Jesus. See John 10:37,38 (NKJV).
37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”
If they believe the works of God done by Jesus, they can know and believe that God is in Jesus and Jesus in God.
II. They cannot come to Heaven while His Disciples will be There (32-34)
See v32.
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him.
The people in power didn’t believe Jesus and tried to take the freedom from Jesus. They belonged to the darkness and opposed Jesus who was full of grace and truth. See 1 John 5:19 (NKJV).
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
When we stand for the truth just as Jesus did – He was doing the will of God and the mission from God – we will experience the opposing force of the evil one. If the people start to believe Jesus, the truth will win. The evil force didn’t want that. The Jewish leaders sent officers to take Jesus away.
See v33,34.
33 Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. 34 You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.”
Even though officers came to take Him, Jesus knew and said that He still had a little more time for His mission on earth(33a). Then He was to go to the Father who sent Him (33b).
When some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.” (Luke 13:31 NKJV), Jesus wasn’t shaken at all. Instead, He said in Luke 13:32-33 (NKJV).
32 And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ 33 Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.
Jesus boldly called King Herod ‘fox’. He knew He still had time, and a journey to complete. And He knew He wouldn’t die outside Jerusalem.
Jesus was going back to heaven where He was from (33b). When He said ‘where I am you cannot come’ (34), it may mean
- Where He will be (the heaven) is the place after the death. The people alive can’t come there.
- Even if they die, they can’t come where Jesus will be because they didn’t believe Him. The heaven is for those who believe Him. To His disciples, He said, “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am there
Boldness in His time, Gracious Speech, and His Origin and Mission from God
John 7:25–30 (NKJV)
Christ’s Origin from the Father
25 Now some of them from Jerusalem said, “Is this not He whom they seek to kill? 26 But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? 27 However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.”
28 Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. 29 But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.”
30 Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.
Message
I. Boldness in His Time (25, 26)
See v25.
25 Now some of them from Jerusalem said, “Is this not He whom they seek to kill?
This verse supports the fact that Jesus was in danger indeed. John 7:1 says the Jews sought to kill Him. John 7:11 shows the Jews sought Him. The people complained concerning Him (John 7:12) and were angry with Him (John 7:20, 23). The world hates Him (John 7:7). They couldn’t speak openly for fear of the Jews (John 7:13).
See v26.
26 But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?
Jesus spoke boldly (26a). They said nothing to Him (26b) as if they had not sought (to kill) Him (John 7:1, 11). Jesus was waiting for ‘His time’ (John 7:6, 8). Based on John 7:14, ‘His time’ came about in the middle of the feast. When it came, He spoke boldly (26a). They marveled at His work (or speech) (John 7:15) and they (or the Jewish leaders) said nothing to Him. The people wondered whether the rulers knew indeed that Jesus was the Christ (26c). This shows that ‘His time’ to show up came and ‘His hour’ for the sacrifice had not yet come (30).
II. His Gracious Way of Speech (27, 28a)
See v27.
27 However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.”
They knew His earthly parents (27a). They thought no one would know the origin of Jesus if He were the Christ (27).
See v28a.
28a Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from;
Jesus knew their thoughts. Jesus didn’t say that they didn’t know His real origin such as His mother’s conception by the Holy Spirit. Instead, Jesus acknowledged that they both knew Him and where He was from (28a). This is just as He acknowledged (John 4:17b) the answer of the Samaritan woman who said, ‘I have no husband’ (John 4:17a). See John 4:17b-18.
17b Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”
We learn this gracious way of speech to maintain a good relationship with the other person so that we may continue to help him/her.
III. Recognising God’s Presence, who is the Origin and gave the Mission (28b,c,d, 29, 30)
28b and I have not come of Myself, 28c but He who sent Me is true, 28d whom you do not know.
29a But I know Him, 29b for I am from Him, 29c and He sent Me.”
What they should realise is that the invisible God who sent Him was with Him at the very present (28b). God who sent Him to them is real, trustworthy and truthful (28c). Jesus pointed out that yet they did not know or acknowledge God (28d). Differently to them, Jesus knew God (29a) because
- Jesus was from God (29b): Jesus was conceived in the Virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit without a human male. His biological Father was God. Jesus is the Word who became flesh (John 1:14a). The Word existed from the eternal past (John 1:1a), and was together and intimate with God (John 1:1b). The Word is God (John 1:1c) and the Creator (John 1:3). The Word is the only Son of God and has the closest relationship with God (John 1:18b).
- God sent Jesus (29c).: God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus had the mission to save the world (Matthew 1:21, John 4:42, Acts 4:12). Jesus served them by teaching, healing, and becoming a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:44).
When a person is spiritually reborn, he/she becomes a new creation and a child of God. Then he/she becomes more like Jesus and can tell that he/she is ‘from God’ (29b). If God gives him/her a mission to do, he/she can say ‘God sent him/her.’ But the people may not see the rebirth or the emission revealed in him/her. V28~29 are what he/she could say to them.
See v30.
30 Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.
‘His hour had not yet come’ is why no one laid a hand on Him despite their murderous intent (John 7:1, 25).
The Doctrine of Jesus that Glorifies God and Their Wrong Judgment
John 7:15-24 [1]
15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”
16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. 18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. 19 Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”
20 The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”
21 Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? 24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
Message
I. The doctrine that glorifies God (15-21)
See v15.
15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”
Jesus taught them (John 7:14c) without having never studied (15c). This made the Jews ‘marveled’ (15a). What is the response of Jesus? See v16.
16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
The doctrine of Jesus is not from His own authority but from God who sent Him.
See v17.
17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.
This fact (16) can be verified if anyone wills to do His will.
See v18.
18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
Jesus does not seek His own glory but the glory of the One who sent Him. He is true and righteous. When we will to do the will of God who sent Jesus, God will be glorified. Therefore, we shall know that His doctrine is from God.
See v19.
19 Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”
The 6th commandment is ‘You shall not murder.’ (Exodus 20:13). But the Jewish leaders tried to murder Jesus (John 5:16, 18, 7:11, 25).
See v20.
20 The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”
The people denied the fact that they were seeking to kill Him, by saying, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?” This expression shows their ‘anger’ (20, 23). ‘anger’ is also ‘murder’ according to what Jesus said in Matthew 5:21-22.
See v21.
21 Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel.
They all marveled at His work. Jesus was glorifying God indeed. However, they were angry at Him also (23).
How can they marveled at His work and be angry at Him who glorifies God? What’s wrong with their judgment?
II. Judging with righteous judgement (22-24)
22 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.
Since God commanded Abraham to do circumcision before the law was given, the Jews circumcise every male child on the 8th day after birth. The circumcision day could fall on the Sabbath day.
See v23.
23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?
They worked (circumcised) on the Sabbath. The circumcision was the rule given by God before the law of Moses ever existed. How can they be angry with Jesus for doing God’s will to heal them on the Sabbath?
See v24.
24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
Jesus taught them to judge
- not according to appearance
- but with righteous judgment.
This tells us
- not to be superficial
- but to be detailed, genuine and thorough
to make the righteous judgment.
Their judgment was indeed superficial and unjust! Also, they shouldn’t simply rely on what the Jewish leaders said about Jesus’ works performed on the Sabbath. They were unrighteous to make apparent judgment.
References
- The New King James Version. 1982, Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Wisdom to Wait for the Right Time
John 7:1-14 [1]
Christ’s Brothers Do Not Believe
7 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
6 Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” 9 When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.
Christ Secretly Goes to the Feast
10 But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to 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 complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” 13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.
14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.
(Message)
Jesus faced the hatred of the world He came to save and the unbelief of His own brothers. God stood on His side to provide Him the right time to make the next steps.
I. Unbelief of Christ’s Own Brothers
See v1.
1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.
The fact the Jews sought to kill Jesus (1b) shows they belonged to the darkness and so hated Him without a reason (Psalm 69:4, John 15:25. See John 15:18-24). Their degree of hatred toward Him shows how much they opposed God and His will (See John 3:19, 20).
See v2-4.
2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”
His brothers asked Him to go into Judea because they thought Jesus was seeking to be known openly. But their suggestion was not good or wise for Him and not from God.
See v5.
5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
Even His own brothers didn’t believe Him. This didn’t make Jesus alone because His Father was with Him. We have to know there can be times when even our own brothers do not believe what we claim. But God is on our side to help us walk through such a situation.
See v6-7.
6 Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.
His time has not yet come (6a). due to the hatred of the world (7b). The world hates Jesus because He testifies of it that its works are evil (7b). When one does not stand for the truth, the world may seem in peace with him/her. But when one does the will of God, one faces the disturbance because the devil opposes fiercely the fulfillment of God’s will.
See v8.
8 You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.”
Jesus was waiting for the right time before taking His next steps (moves) in the midst of the fierce spiritual war between good and evil.
II. Christ Secretly Goes to the Feast in God’s Time
See v9-14.
9 When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.
10 But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to 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 complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” 13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.
14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.
We learn the wisdom not simply following others but waiting for the opportunity, that God will open up, that we may call ‘the right time’. Jesus remained in Galilee (9b) until the right time (midway through the festival (14)) came for Him to go to Judea in the right way (secretly) (10, 14).
References
- The New King James Version. 1982, Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
