Today’s passage: John 7:1-24
Helpful thoughts:
- Jesus’ brothers were the children of Joseph and Mary. At this point, they do not believe in Jesus and are openly mocking Him.
- When Jesus told His brothers He wasn’t going up to Jerusalem for the festival, the original Greek words refer to the time of departure. Jesus was telling His brothers He wasn’t going yet. There wasn’t any misunderstanding or misleading going on.
- Jesus’ brothers, in mockery, were challenging Jesus to make a big entry to draw attention to Himself. Jesus had no intention to go that way. It wasn’t His time (Meaning, it wasn’t yet time to be arrested and crucified).
- Jesus spoke straight from the Word of God and according to God’s revelation through Him. The Jewish leaders spoke from previous or contemporary speakers. When they quoted one another, they were giving mutual honor to each other. It was an economy of mutual glory giving (Verse 18). What they gave they expected back in return.
Questions to consider:
- What are the ramifications of verse 7 for the church in the world today? If we are the Body of Christ and we proclaim a salvation in Christ from the penalty of sin, what will the world be prone to think about us?
- What happens to the ministry and message of the church (And the individual believer) when we want the praise of our brothers and culture more than the glory of God? What had happened to the ministry and message of the Jews for the same reason?
- How can we apply verse 24 well? What must we know in order to discern accurately? How do we acquire right judgment?