October 23: John 7-8

October 23, John 7-8

John continued…

John 7 

Feast of Booths. Jesus did not go to Judea because the Jews wanted to kill him. The time of this was during the feast of booths (in essence, they would temporarily live in ‘booths’ that were located outside their houses and remember what God had done for them). We learn here also that Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in Him and doubted him. Jesus told them that the world hates him and not them and He was not going to join them at the feast (even though He did end up going and the Jews there were looking for Him). Many of them were confused as to who He was and if He was true or false… During the middle of the feast Jesus went up to the temple and began teaching - the people were blown away at His teaching. Jesus proclaimed that His teaching was from God, not man, and He was doing it for God’s Glory. The Jews had many accusations against Him and he rebutted them. Some of the people of Jerusalem wondered if this Jesus was the Christ they were expecting. Jesus continued to just point them to God as the source of truth. Many people believed in Him because of His teachings. They were going to arrest Him but feared the people and even some of them were persuaded by His teachings! They could not figure out what or who he was. They said the Messiah was supposed to come from Bethlehem (which Jesus did come from!). 

Side note here - a lot of early manuscripts do not have 7:53-8:11, but none of this section contradicts itself, so it is 100% solid!

The woman caught in adultery. The Jews were trying to trap Jesus so they brought to Him a woman caught in the act of adultery. Back in the day, she was to be stoned.  Jesus is such an amazing example for us. Instead of letting them stone her, Jesus asked the Pharisees whichever of them was without sin, to cast the 1st stone! Well, none of them could throw a stone and they all walked away. Jesus told her to go and sin no more! 

John 8 Jesus explained to the people that He is the Light of the World and those that believe in Him don’t walk in darkness but in the light. He is the Light that we follow. Jesus continued to point them to God who was guiding Jesus. He also explained to them that where He was going they would not be going - they would be going to hell. His authority was from God and not man - we hear that about 10 times in these chapters. Think He is making a point? Also, if they embraced the truths of Christ they would be free. They thought they were free, as so many believe today, but Jesus explained that if they are sinning that they are in bondage and not freedom. 

They are of their father, the Devil. Seriously, Jesus pulled no punches. Because they did not believe in Jesus, whom God sent, they were believing Satan - the father of lies, a liar. If you believe in Jesus you believe in God. Simple. Period. 

Jesus also claimed that before Abraham walked the earth, Jesus was there. Jesus was one of the Creators of the world - obviously that was before Abraham! 

“So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham.” What was Jesus’ response? “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”  So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.” No wonder they wanted to kill Jesus. He was not taking any of their lies and deceit.

To sum it all up: 

• Are you doing things for God’s Glory?
• Go and sin no more. If you have been forgiven, then go and sin no more. Receive the forgiveness and embrace the life that God has called you to live. 
• Believe no lies. Challenge what you hear with Scripture. Even ‘Spiritual Leaders’ will be wrong from time to time and you must be diligent in searching the Scriptures for truth. If you are wondering, ask God to help you understand it better. He is alive and well and there to guide you.