Jesus And The Feast Of Tabernacles.

JESUS AND THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES.

John 7:1-13.

JOHN 7:1. “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for He would not walk in Jewry (Judaea), because the Jews (the Jewish leadership) sought to kill Him.”

It is truly an amazing thing that “Jesus walked” amongst men. He who is eternally ‘one with the Father’ (cf. John 10:30) condescended to become man, and to dwell amongst men, and to die, as a man, and for men. But there is a time for everything, and for the time being Jesus chose to “walk” in Galilee, and not in Judaea, because the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem sought to kill Him.

JOHN 7:2. “Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.”

The Jewish feast of tabernacles was celebrated every year, round about harvest time, and involved people dwelling in tents (tabernacles, or booths, sometimes made of just leaves and branches) in commemoration of God’s provision for the children of Israel back in their wilderness years. They would give thanks for the rain that fed the harvest, and looked forward to the outpouring of God’s Spirit which would herald the coming of the kingdom of God. The feast lasted seven days, with daily rituals of water-drawing and lamp-lighting which Jesus drew upon in His teaching in the coming chapters.

JOHN 7:3. “His brethren therefore said unto Him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.”

It is apparent from this comment that Jesus’ brethren did not yet count themselves as disciples. They were waiting to see how things panned out.

JOHN 7:4. “For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.”

There is something of a sneer in the way this proverbial saying is being applied by Jesus’ brethren. Then they add, “SINCE you do these things, show thyself to the world.” There is no doubt that they were aware of the miracles that Jesus was performing in Galilee, and perhaps thought it would be more appropriate for one claiming to be the Messiah to bring Himself to the attention of the pilgrims in Jerusalem.

JOHN 7:5. “For neither did His brethren believe in Him.”

It is as true for the earthly family of Jesus as it is for all men, they will not believe in Jesus unless the Father draws them (cf. John 6:44).

JOHN 7:6. “Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.”

Jesus often said this, “My time is not yet.” There was a very definite timetable to which Jesus was adhering. The will of the Father and the will of the Son were at one in this (cf. John 6:39). He would not deviate from the masterplan in any detail whatsoever.

JOHN 7:7. “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.”

Jesus was hated not only because of His claims to be the Messiah, nor only because of His spiritual teachings, but because of His constant stand against evil in the hearts and lives of men.

JOHN 7:8. “Go ye up unto this feast; I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.”

His time was not yet “fulfilled.” So he encouraged his brethren to go on ahead without Him.

JOHN 7:9-10. “When He had said these words unto them, He abode still in Galilee. But when His brethren were gone up, then went He also unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.”

In other words, Jesus did not go up with the main party of His relatives and neighbours, but went up separately. Jesus would have been aware that that there might be some among the main party of travellers to the feast who had previously shown a desire to ‘take Him by force and make Him a king’ (cf. John 6:15). That possibility needed to be avoided.

JOHN 7:11. “Then the Jews (the Jewish leadership) sought Him at the feast, and said, Where is He?”

What was their interest in Him? Well, ‘they sought to kill Him’ (cf. John 7:1).

JOHN 7:12-13. “And there was much murmuring among the people concerning Him: for some said, He is a good man; others said, Nay, but He deceiveth the people. Howbeit no man spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.”

There were those who were willing to say that Jesus was “a good man.” Others, out of craven fear, just repeated what they had been told by the Jewish leadership: “He deceives the people.” What do we think of Jesus?