The Jews were celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, the end of the harvest time and the conclusion of the agricultural year in Judea, and Jerusalem was booming with people from all over the land.
Jewish leaders were plotting to capture and kill Jesus after He healed on the Sabbath and declared Himself God sent, a statement considered blasphemy which was punishable by execution.
In spite of persecution from the Jewish leaders, Jesus continued to teach and preach in Jerusalem where a large number of people became curious concerning His true identity. Next, Jesus revealed the time was approaching for God to ascend Him to Heaven where the Son of the most High will rejoice for all time.
As the feast was coming to an end, Jesus used this last opportunity to deliver a call to action and He invited those who are burdened to come to Him, so He could wash grace, mercy and hope over them in the way of living, spiritual water.
“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?” (John 7:40-41)
When they heard Jesus speak about salvation, and the concept of living water, many among the crowd believed and proclaimed Him as the Christ, the promised Messiah who was foretold in the Hebrew Scriptures to be the One who was sent to act as the intercessor between man and God.
However, some claimed Jesus could not be the foretold Savior because He was from Nazareth, a city located in northern Israel where the majority of the population consisted of Gentiles. This is why the Jews from the southern part of Israel looked down upon Galileans, and many doubted Jesus because of this.
“42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”” (John 7:42)
Here, John reveals how ignorant those skeptics were as they were oblivious to the fact Jesus was indeed a Jew and a descendant of David, and as foretold by the prophet Micah, He was born in Bethlehem. Jesus’ birth took place in Bethlehem after His mother Mary and her husband Joseph traveled to the city to register for the census as ordered by Caesar Augustus.
“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.” (John 7:43-44)
Because He performed many miracles, taught with great wisdom and had become known to be a gifted Healer, many believed and choose to follow Jesus. On the flip side, many Jews took offense to a man they perceived as a mere vagabond prophet, so they hardened their hearts and sided with Jewish leaders who sought to capture and kill Him.
But, since His time had not yet come, God did not allow Jesus to be captured. It would not be long before Judas betrayed Him… Let’s pray.
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives,
We praise you Lord for the wisdom found through the gospel of John,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to live out the apostle’s writings
As we continue to learn more about you through your word.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through the truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of Christian faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and our place with you in Heaven
According to your ways, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
