John_chapter_20

24/02/10 Gospel of John – chapter 7 Read verses 1-13: Times were getting difficult for Jesus. Some Jews were wanting to kill him; even his brothers did not believe him (v5) or understand his purpose. For this reason Jesus let his brothers go ahead of him to the Feast of Tabernacles (at least if people asked them where Jesus was, they could honestly answer that they did not know); and he followed on later, in secret (v10). (See p.2 for explanation of the Feast of Tabernacles.)

Read verses 14-20: Although many people were looking for Jesus, he was able to keep a low profile in the crowds until it was the time for him to speak out. When he did, they were amazed at his ‘learning’.

Again, Jesus tells them that he is speaking from God – helping the ordinary people to believe, but at the same time making a statement about what is really happening i.e. that they are seeking to kill him.

Read verses 21-24: I think a lot more was said than is recorded by John. However, referring back to the miracle he did the last time he was in Jerusalem (John 5v1-16), Jesus challenges the people on their hypocrisy. His reasoning was: how can you blame me for making a man’s body whole on the Sabbath, when you carry out circumcision on the Sabbath (which is a mutilation of the body).

Read verses 25-36: Here we see the debates and doubts in people’s minds. Verse 27 is not from scripture so it must have been a saying. Verses 30 and 31 show the 2 reactions. God protected Jesus because ‘his time had not yet come’.

Jesus was talking about returning to His Father (v33,34) but they had no understanding.

Read verses 37-44: With reference to the explanation on page 2, we can now see why Jesus said what he said about being ‘living water’. To the Pharisees it must have appeared that he had ‘hijacked’ their ceremony and focused all the events on himself (we know it is because he is the fulfillment of all these Old Testament feasts, but they did not have eyes to see). Jesus wanted them to see that the water they used in celebration was (like the water from the well of Samaria) only physical water, useful and vital for their bodies. But he offered water which would quench the thirst of their souls. His water was the very Spirit of God. Interestingly Paul picks up on this, with a startling revelation in 1 Corinthians 10v4.

Verse 42 shows that the people didn’t really know much about Jesus.

Read verses 45-53: The Pharisees were scathing of the guards and the people (and even Nicodemus), as if by belittling them they could strengthen their own argument. But it is encouraging to see Nicodemus looking at events fairly, and even speaking up for Jesus. We just cannot judge who will respond to the call of Jesus; we just pray for all that they will.

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