This morning we continue in the book of John. We are in chapter 7. Last week we finished the third sermon in John 6. We’ve seen a pattern in the narrative with Jesus and the people of Israel. The people want another sign, but the signs Jesus had already performed, by and large, haven’t produced faith in his word. The signs were there to give credence to his word, as a mark of the seal of the Spirit of God on Jesus which validate his message. But the people of Israel, by and large, rejected what he taught. They liked the signs, but his message was offensive. Jesus responded with hard words that were difficult even for his disciples to hear, You must eat my flesh and drink my blood. In other words, if you are to follow me, you must take all of me, accept all of what I have to say, both about who you are and about who I am, and what I’ve come to do…

This pattern continues in our passage today, and in the narrative of the gospels, as the rising conflict between the Jews, the religious leaders of Israel, and Jesus comes to a head. 

I was told by Jack that last week’s introduction was 15 minutes long. Rest assured, friends, this pastor has many opportunities to be humbled, even under his own roof. Opportunities, thorns, whatever… Thus, I’m granting him, and maybe some of you, a bit of reprieve! That’s your introduction! 

We are going to jump right into the Scriptures, and look at the passage under the following headings: 

The Hour That Hadn’t Come

The Offensive Truth

The Confusion of the Crowd

Judge by Right Judgement

The Rejected Messiah

A Divided Opinion

The Coming Glorified Hour

Passage: John 7:1–31

[1] After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. [2] Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand. [3] So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. [4] For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” [5] For not even his brothers believed in him. [6] Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. [7] The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. [8] You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” [9] After saying this, he remained in Galilee.

[10] But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. [11] The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” [12] And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” [13] Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

[14] About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. [15] The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” [16] So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. [17] If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. [18] The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. [19] Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” [20] The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” [21] Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. [22] Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. [23] If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well? [24] Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

[25] Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? [26] And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? [27] But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 

[28] So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. [29] I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” [30] So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. [31] Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?” (ESV)

[Pray]

The Hour That Hadn’t Come (1-6, 8-10)

[1] After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 

What we discern is about 6 months had passed from Jesus’ last interaction in John 6 and the Feast of Booths in our passage today. In that period of time, animosity of the Jews towards Jesus had increased, and Jesus knew the religious leaders were seeking to kill him. Thus, he did not go into Jerusalem and minister in a public manner, but remained in Galilee. The region of Galilee is anywhere from 90-125 miles away from Jerusalem, the focal point of Judea. This was a safe distance from his adversaries.

[2] Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand. 

The Feast of Booths is one of three festivals commanded by the Lord for the people of Israel to celebrate. It also aligns with the olive and grape harvest, thus, it’s a party! They celebrate by erecting booths, or tents, which commemorate God’s faithfulness and provision for Israel when God brought their forefathers out of Egypt, out of slavery, and into the desert. Notice the continued Exodus theme in the book of John. The expectation was that every family would be represented at the festival in Jerusalem. 

[3] So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. [4] For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” [5] For not even his brothers believed in him. 

First, note the disbelief by the half-brothers of Jesus. These are his siblings, who probably have heard the birth narrative of Jesus. They’ve witnessed his character, his wisdom, his words, which were stunning even as a 12 year old boy in the temple. Yet, familiarity breeds contempt, deserved or not. 

What was their admonition to their brother? Could it be that they also knew the rising contempt of the pharisees and religious rulers? Did they want him to get killed? Their brother was as polarizing a figure as one could be! And one who allegedly to them, worked miracles. That’s a big shadow to live beneath. Can you imagine the infamy? Oh… you’re Jesus brother? Of Nazareth? Tell me, what are meal times like? Or… that guy is the village idiot! He thinks he’s God! What did your mother and father teach him? Was he born in a barn and raised like an only child?

In Matthew 12:46-50, his mother and brothers at one point attempted to pull Jesus away from his teaching ministry. They had heard the way he proclaimed himself the Messiah, and wanted to force him home. Jesus’ response was “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” [49] And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! [50] For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (ESV)

Maybe the brothers have felt the sting of the rebuke. Regardless, they did not believe Jesus. Their encouragement was that of the crowds: Show me a sign! Show all of Jerusalem a sign! If you’re the real deal, prove it by doing some miracle! If you want to be known, then do something big - and in public! That is, if you do these things that have been reported about you!

[6] Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come…

Many of our Lord’s sayings in the gospels were a bit cryptic. Even the 12 exclaimed, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech…” What did his response mean?

His brothers would have interpreted it according to their conversation. Jesus’ time to reveal himself had not come. He wasn’t going up to the feast to reveal himself just yet. Meaning, I’m not going up with you! Nor do I take my commands, or counsel from you!

Jesus, as God, is sovereign over when and how he acts. He is not beholden to man and their demands, even from his family members. Nor is he dependent on miracles for his sheep to follow him. This is what we just learned in John 6. His sheep hear his voice. They hear his word. And they follow him. 

The time Jesus referred to also alluded to a future time when he would be revealed. There was a day, and there was a sign, that would be public, and verifiable. When the Son of Righteousness would shine on the world and expose the darkness for what it is, having conquered and overcome. But at this point in our text, that day and time had not come. Jesus knew the Jews, led by the religious leaders, were seeking to kill him. Thus, his miracles, and his travel, were done in private. So he told his brothers:

[8] You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” [9] After saying this, he remained in Galilee. [10] But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.

Notice the word fully. It’s here, but not fully. Thus Jesus remained in Galilee, and after they left, then he also went up to the feast— in private. Let’s circle back to verse 6b to 7. His brothers left. It doesn’t say in what manner, but Jesus’ words were directed towards his brothers. He spoke to them…

The Offensive Truth (6b-7)

[6] My time has not yet come, but your time is always here [7] The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.

You can travel at any time. You are free to move about the country, to Jerusalem. The world doesn’t hate you— you’re part of the world, and I testify that the works of the world are evil! That’s why you fit in with the world, and that’s why the world hates me, and not you!

Jesus spoke to his brothers the offensive truth. They were part of the world, whose works are evil! That’s why they didn’t yet believe. Jesus, by his word and testimony, testify and shine light on the evil works of the world. 

There’s a point of application here. Christians, it is a normal thing to be hated by the world.  John 15:18–21 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you… 

I want to exhort you in this: because of whom you belong to, because of how you live, you will be hated by the world. The Confusion of the Crowd (11-20)

[11] The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” [12] And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” [13] Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

First, note that the Jews were looking for him. When John used the term the Jews, he was referring to the religious rulers. The people knew the religious rulers had it out for Jesus, for they would not speak openly for fear of the Jews.

The muttering of the people among themselves brought out two possible assertions, both in context of justifying or condemning Jesus! Some said, “He’s a good man!” They looked to the miracles he performed, but their assertion was not complete. This assertion did not make a disciple, for it did not take into account all of who Jesus said he was. He claimed not only to be good, but God.

The second assertion was that he was leading people astray. This was an offense condemnable by death by the law of Moses (Deut 13:5) by the prescribed form of stoning. These people heard his words and didn’t believe He was the Son of God.  They like his miracles but rejected his word.

Yet, Jesus had an unparalleled understanding of the law. Look at verse 14-15:

[14] About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. [15] The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 

Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, and he was found teaching in the temple. His time to appear at the feast had arrived. Yet, we see that even the Jews, the religious leaders, recognized Jesus’ great knowledge of the things of God. They couldn’t deny his word was true. But instead of submitting to the word, their response was to discredit him. This guy has no seminary degree! He hasn’t read the words of the great rabbi’s before us, or come under us to learn! He’s a backwater-bible thumper! He has no religious pedigree! He’s not worth listening to!

Isn’t it true of man to discredit the source when we don’t like the message? It has been a lesson God has and continues to teach me: regardless of the source, regardless of who it is that points out my sin, I’m still held accountable for my actions and must acknowledge when I’m wrong. Have you had that experience? When the person you are least willing to submit yourself to calls you to account, and it’s true— what they say is true, and you know it! 

What do you do? Do you harden your heart and reject their words? Or do you humble yourself and repent? 

The religious leaders chose the path of hardening. And Jesus explained the source of his teaching:

[16] So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. [17] If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. [18] The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 

The source is the Father, the one from whom the Son has proceeded. His learning is unparalleled because his Source is without equal: the Father. But the Pharisees did not accept his teaching. They were enslaved to their own desires, their own will. Look at verse 17: If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The Pharisees did not accept the teaching of Jesus because they were of the world, and had evil intentions, as Jesus said in verse 7. They had not been taught of the Father, they had not been drawn by the Father. 

We need to note the sovereignty of God displayed here. It was God’s sovereign will that the religious leaders rejected the Messiah. This was prophesied in the Old Testament, that the stone that the builders rejected - the builders, the religious leaders rejected the stone, that is the Rock, the Messiah, and he is the capstone or cornerstone on which the whole house of salvation was built. In order to know that Jesus’ teaching was from God, there was a necessary willing God’s will. Friends, we are born enemies of God, born into sin, Jew and Gentile alike. We saw last week that in order to come to Jesus, we must be taught of the Father, our eyes must be opened. He must draw us to His Son. He must create new life in us, as we must be born again to even behold the Kingdom and the King! So, who will know that Jesus is from God? The sheep whom God has given him. Those whose will it is to do God’s will.

Jesus Continued: [19] Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 

Notice the indictment. Jesus calls them to consider Moses, whom they claim as their father, and writer of the Law. Yet, he rightly states that none of them keep the law! He indicts them of sin, though they accuse him, and seek to kill him! Thou shall not murder is 6th commandment. And, Jesus perceives their intentions. He knows the heart of man. He knows the hatred of the world for the light.

[20] The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?”

LIES, I TELL YOU LIES! Look at verse 25: “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill?” The crowd is confused at best, but oh so fickle. Jesus called them to…

Judge by Right Judgement (21-24)

[21] Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. [22] Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. [23] If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well? [24] Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Jesus, according to John, had done one work in Jerusalem: the healing of the lame at the pool. This is John chapter 5. Recall that he healed the man on the Sabbath and told the man to pick up his mat and go home. The Pharisees were scandalized that the man would carry his mat, and that Jesus would heal on the Sabbath! So he proceeds to argue from the lesser to the greater. 

If on the Sabbath, you perform circumcision, a sign of the Old Covenant people, how much more should you recognize the sign of the New Covenant Messiah! When Jesus sent word to John the baptist, for he was in prison, and wanted assurance that this was the messiah, he alluded to this passage in Isaiah 35:5–6

[5] Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; [6] then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

The sign of the Messiah far exceeded in glory the sign of the Old Covenant. Yet, it was offensive to the Jews. They attempted to judge the Messiah according to the law that pointed to him. They attempted to judge His righteousness according to the confines of the Law, and not according to the prophetic vision of the Messiah. He did not break the Law, he fulfilled it in all righteousness. They had no category for this kind of man. They were attempting to measure righteousness with a 12 inch measuring stick, and failed to recognize the Ruler of the Universe.

So, Jesus asserted to them, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement.” It might appear to you that Jesus broke the law, but really he was fulfilling the Sabbath. He made a whole man’s body well, not merely through circumventing skin through cosmetic surgery. To judge with right judgement would be to recognize the lesser and the greater sign. Jesus gave the greater sign. Yet even still, he was…

The Rejected Messiah (25-30)

[25] Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? [26] And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? [27] But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 

The immediate response of a person trapped in a conversation they can’t win is to either change the subject or poke holes in the person’s character. They were calling Jesus an imposter. They assumed the passage in Daniel 7 required the Messiah to not be of a known origin. In doing so, they blinded their eyes to Micah 5:2  But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. (ESV).

They judged by appearances. They thought they knew Jesus, believing him to be from Capernaum, or Nazareth. So Jesus responded:

[28] So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. [29] I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” 

Jesus didn’t line out to them his birth narrative. How he was born in Bethlehem, escaped to Egypt, returned to Nazareth, the land of Galilee. All this is foretold in Micah, Hosea, and Isaiah. Instead, he went to the heart of the matter, revealing, if you will see it, that He is the ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. He was sent by the Father. He comes from Him. He was sent by Him! And thus, the elephant in Israel became public knowledge… 

[30] So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.

This led to a people with …A Divided Opinion (31)

[31] Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?” (ESV)

Even in the face of great controversy, even when the leadership of the nation opposed him, even though he had the proverbial warrant out for his arrest, there were many who believed him. They believed because of His signs. What we’ve learned from John thus far is that signs weren’t enough to create faith in the heart of the individual. Friends, all of what we have been reading, the narrative of John, the gospels, and all the law and prophets before, led to  what Jesus referred to at the beginning of this passage:

The Coming Hour

What was that hour? The term hour, refers more to a period of time. It was the time when the Son of man would be made known as the King in Jerusalem, the city of the great King. It was this hour when His glory would be displayed for the people of Israel, when he would redeem them and set his rule and reign over the earth. How did he do this? 

Turn to John 17 with me. Before Jesus was arrested, John records this prayer:

John 17:1–5  “…Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, [2] since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. [3] And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

The hour of Jesus’ glory was the hour he would be betrayed. It was the hour he would become a curse to redeem a lost people. It was the hour he would be beaten, bruised, whipped within an inch of his life, spat upon, despised, cursed at, mocked, stripped naked, and crucified. The hour he would make himself known as the Messiah of Israel, as their King, as their Savior, their Good Shepherd was the hour he would lay his life down for the sheep. And it was His hour to determine, for Jesus stated that No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again (John 10:18).

It is not as if Jesus would not make it clear that he was the Messiah. It was not as if he would not give them the sign of his Kingship. The sign he would give in the city of Jerusalem was the sign of Jonah; he was buried 3 days, and then resurrected. The hour of his revealing to Jerusalem was his most glorious hour, where he put on display the justice and mercy of God on the cross, as the King who died to save His people. This was the coming hour…