Reading: John chapter 7 verse 1-24.
Ill:
• A secondary school faced a unique problem.
• A number of female pupils were going into the toilets and putting on lipstick.
• But wearing lipstick was not the biggest problem;
• After all if the Teacher noticed they would simply say, “Wipe it off!”
• The big problem was when the girls applied the lipstick;
• They would then press their lips to the mirrors leaving behind dozens of little lip prints.
• I guess they thought it was kind of cute,
• But as you can imagine it was a nightmare for the caretaker to clean.
• Finally the Head teacher decided something had to be done.
• She called the girls one class at a time to the toilet,
• She explained that the lip prints caused a major problem for the caretaker,
• Who had to clean the mirrors every day.
• To demonstrate how difficult it was to remove the lipstick,
• She asked the caretaker to clean one of the mirrors.
• As the girls watched, the caretaker took out a long-handled brush,
• He then dipped it into the toilet bowl, and then scrubbed the mirror.
• That little demonstration had amazing results.
• Since then there have been no lip prints on any of the mirrors in that school.
• What that Head-teacher was doing for those girls;
• Was a little bit like what Jesus is trying to do for us in this passage.
• He wants us to think beyond the immediate situation;
• He was aware of a much bigger picture and he wants the disciples to grasp that as well.
Six key words divide up the chapter:
(1). DISTANCE (verse 1).
“After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life.”
• After this (the events in chapter 6);
• The events of chapter 7 take place six months later.
• Jesus has deliberately chosen to concentrate his ministry in Galilee (which is in the north).
• He has chosen to avoid Judea (South),
Question: Why?
Answer:
• Because from the moment Jesus healed a crippled man on the Sabbath;
• The religious leaders have been openly persecuting him.
Ill:
• Missionary & contaminated water.
• Broke in and destroyed his microscope.
• And that persecution was growing in intensity;
• We are told over and over again that the Jewish leaders desired to kill Jesus.
• These influential and powerful leaders were predominantly based in Jerusalem.
• The capitol city based in Judea (south).
• So Jesus wisely stays away from those who are openly opposing him.
• And the easiest way to do that is to live in Galilee (the north).
• The first nine verses of our chapter (vs 1-9) take place in Galilee,
• The quiet, safe, familiar home base of Jesus.
(2). DOUBT (verses 2-5).
“But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, 3Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. 4No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." 5For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”
• Mary the mother of Jesus did not remain a perpetual virgin;
• After Jesus was born we are told that she had other children.
• These children were fathered by Joseph - the step-father of Jesus.
• This meant that Jesus had a number of half-brothers.
• The other gospels fill us in as to who they were (Matt. 13:55-56; Mark 6:1-6);
• Ill: James, Joseph, Simon and Judas and we are told he also had sisters.
What seems incredible to me is that His own family (brothers & sisters) regarded him with scepticism and suspicion:
• Those who had lived with Him all those years;
• Never realised the uniqueness of His person.
• Certainly they knew about His miracles, everybody else did.
• Yet they were still unbelievers.
• It would take the resurrection to convert them.
• Acts chapter 1 verse 14.
• Ironically, the family of Jesus are going up to a religious feast,
• Yet in doing so they are by their disbelief rejecting their own Messiah!
• How easy it is to follow tradition and yet miss essential truth.
Notice:
• The half-brothers of Jesus do two things;
• First: they challenge Him to go south to Jerusalem for the feast.
Ill:
• All Jewish men who lived within a twenty-mile radius of Jerusalem;
• Were obligated to participate in this festive event,
• Many more devout Jews from outside the area also attended.
• It was one of the big three Jewish feast to attend
And Secondly: they have some advice for Him.
• Now whether this advice was serious or sarcastic you will have to decide for yourself.
• Remember it was given by those who refused to believe in him.
ADVICE NO 1: “You need a larger arena.”
• If you want people to believe in you - Jerusalem is the place.
• It is crowded with pilgrims from all over the world.
• So now is the time!
• It is time to get out of Galilee, out of the sticks.
• It is time to get to where the people are - Jerusalem.
• It is time to get to the capital and minister to the heart of the people.
ADVICE NO 2: “You need to touch base with your disciples.”
• Jesus’ brothers tell Him that His followers in Judea need to see Him again.
• Although Jesus had primarily 12 disciples.
• We are told elsewhere that he had many other followers/disciples.
• Ill: Luke chapter 10 there were 72 committed disciples that he sent out.
• There were others as well, who according to Jesus’ brothers
• Would need their faith reinforced or they might go and follow someone else!
(3). ADVICE NO 3: “You are wasting your gifts.”
• Hidden away in Galilee you are wasting your gifts;
• Go down south and reveal your power.
• If you have the ability to do miracles;
• Then why don’t you get out there and demonstrate that power?
• Do something spectacular!
• That will convince people that you are the Messiah.
• Ill: Remember this is advice from unbelievers who have witnessed miracles of Jesus;
• No wonder Jesus did not rely on miracles to convince people of who he was.
• What they were really doing was tempting Jesus;
• To take a path for celebrities, they were unaware that Jesus was the servant king.
Notice his reply:
• Jesus responded by telling his brothers; “The right time for me has not yet come”.
• Throughout this gospel Jesus uses this little expression again and again.
• And he will continue using it up until the night before his crucifixion;
• When he will say that it “had come”.
(3). DISCRETION (verses 6-10).
“Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. 7The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. 8You go to the Feast. I am not yet[a going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come." 9Having said this, he stayed in Galilee.
10However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, "Where is that man?"”
Note: Jesus went up to the feast (after all he was a good Jewish male):
• But he did not go publicly;
• That is as part of one of the large caravans of pilgrims heading for Jerusalem,
• Instead he went privately, subtly, inconspicuously;
• Because the time was not yet right for Jesus to show Himself as the Messiah.
• Note: Jesus shows tremendous discernment at this point.
• You and I may well have been tempted to follow the advice of His brothers.
• But Jesus knew that it was completely the wrong time.
• God had appointed the time and the pathway for Jesus,
• And this was the way He was determined to go.
Jesus communicates that his brothers are to go.
• It was their religious duty to do so.
• But He was not going. That is: He was not going to go with them.
• He was not going to be a part of some ostentatious parade;
• That would bring attention to Himself.
• What they were hoping for (a public display) would come later.
• In half a year’s time, there will be what is called the “Triumphal Entry,”
• And Jesus will be momentarily welcomed as the Messiah.
• But not now.
• He is going to go, but not with a view to acceptance, but with a view of rejection.
Ill:
• Like a skilled sailor watching for the moment when the tide begins to turn,
• Then waiting for the moment when it will be full enough to set sail,
• He has a plan in mind which will gradually come to mind.
(4). DEBATE (verses 11-13).
11Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, "Where is that man?"
12Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man."
Others replied, "No, he deceives the people." 13But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.
When the feast began, it was expected by those attending that Jesus would be there.
• The Jewish leaders were looking for Him.
• In fact, the text tells us that it was continuous – “they kept searching for Him”.
• There is no doubt that Jesus had aroused the interest of crowd,
• He was the talk of the town.
• The reports had gotten around concerning the healings and miracles he had performed.
• Everyone wanted to see and maybe even experience one of the miracles he could perform.
• But the Jewish leaders were now fully against Him
• Because Jesus had healed people on the Sabbath,
• So there is a division in Jerusalem about Jesus.
• Some are calling Him good;
• But others believe Him to be a cunning deceiver.
Notice:
• The opposition to Jesus in Jerusalem has gotten so strong;
• That even His friends did not possess the confidence to speak of Him openly.
• Anyone that was for Jesus was reduced to hushed tones.
• It is in this atmosphere that Jesus appears.
(5). DOCTRINE (verses 14-18).
14Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 15The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?"
16Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18He who speaks on his own does so to gain honour for himself, but he who works for the honour of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.”
• Once Jesus arrived in Jerusalem,
• He did not attempt to hide but went openly to the temple courts and began to teach.
• And the reaction to his teaching is stunning.
• The Jewish leaders ask a question: “How does this man know his scriptures so well?”
Note:
• There was no natural explanation for the knowledge he had;
• But also the thoroughness, depth and ease with which he applied it.
• The Jewish leaders knew that he did not have the credentials.
• He had not gone to the proper rabbinical schools or sat at the feet
• Yet, Jesus taught with authority.
• He took the ancient prophecies, and expounded and explained them.
• This was so different from the other rabbis.
• They taught from authorities, not with authority.
• Jesus was a refreshing difference.
• But his critics had a hard time swallowing this difference.
Note:
• Jesus explains the reason why his teaching is unique and different;
• He says that the source of his teaching is divine in both its origin and in its nature.
• His teaching is not His own, it comes the Father.
• And it was something that each listener could know.
(A). THE SECRET OF KNOWING GOD’S WILL IS BY DOING IT.
Ill:
• A doctor might learn the technique of surgery from textbooks.
• He might know the theory of every possible operation.
• But that would not make him a good surgeon;
• He has to learn by doing.
Ill:
• A mechanic might learn the technique of how a car engine works from textbooks.
• In theory he might know the theory of every possible repair and adjustment;
• But that would not make him an engineer;
• He has to learn by doing.
Jesus tells his listeners (Jewish leaders with the crowd listening in):
• We can never understand God by theory alone;
• We must have the desire to apply his truth to our lives – it’s the doing that’s important!
• And God’s Word proves itself true to those who sincerely do it.
• When we practice what He says, the evidence becomes internal and very persuasive.
• With every act of obedience,
• The truth of what Jesus says becomes more and more persuasive.
(B). JESUS THEN GOES ON TO EXPLAIN THAT HE IS NOT SEEKING THE APPLAUSE OF PEOPLE.
• This was in contrast to the religious leaders of his day;
• They loved to be noticed by others.
Ill: Best seats.
Ill: Pray on street corners.
Ill: Wore distinct clothing.
Ill: Boasted in their giving & deeds.
Jesus then goes on to explain that He is not seeking the applause of people.
• If He was he would have gone up to the feast with his brothers;
• And entered Jerusalem to a fanfare of applause and commotion.
• Instead, he is determined only to win the approval of his heavenly Father;
• His is the only opinion that counts.
• Ill: David T and the assembly – all clapping but only looking for his dad!
(6). DIVISION (verses 19-24).
19Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?"
20"You are demon-possessed," the crowd answered. "Who is trying to kill you?"
21Jesus said to them, "I did one miracle, and you are all astonished. 22Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a child on the Sabbath. 23Now if a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath? 24Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."
• These final verses demonstrate that Jesus did not necessarily come to unite people,
• Actually he often causes a division.
• He came primarily to unite people in a living relationship with God the Father;
• And in doing so that would often cause offence and opposition to those who choose follow him.
• That happened in New Testament days and it is still happening today!
• Ill: Many Christians are persecuted. Ill: Pakistan.
In verse 20: some in the crowd interrupt Jesus;
• 20"You are demon-possessed," the crowd answered. "Who is trying to kill you?"
• They are unaware of the malignant hatred of their leaders.
• They are not yet aware of the plots to eliminate him.
• They assume he has a persecution mania, that his imagination is distorted & his mind upset.
• They reason like this because they are unaware of the facts;
• As the saying goes; “Time will tell” and time will indeed prove Jesus right.
• Jesus has a bigger argument to win;
• And so he reveals a number of facts to the Jewish leaders:
(1). They were completely inconsistent and blatantly hypocritical in their treatment towards him.
• He uses an example from the Law of Moses.
• The Law said that all boys must be circumcised on the eighth day.
• Obviously for some baby boys this will fall on the Sabbath.
• Even though it is not ‘life-threatening’ they allow medical attention (circumcision) to take place
• Remember circumcision actually takes away something from the body.
• Jesus argument is not only logical it is unanswerable:
• You mutilate on the Sabbath but condemn me for healing on the Sabbath.
• You are happy to make one part of the body right before God,
• But criticise me for making the entire body whole before God.
• Ill: you are happy to apply a plaster to a cut, but not a bandage or plaster a broken leg!
• Which is the biggest need and the greater help to the individual?
• The logic of the Jewish leaders was rapidly falling apart.
• So Jesus places one more final challenge to them…
(2). Righteousness is to be based on substance, not appearance.
• They needed to get their values straight.
• The values of the Jewish leaders had been shallow and only on the outward appearance.
• They had completely missed the spirit of the law,
• And thus, God’s point of view.
Ill:
• In 1689 the architect Sir Christopher Wren;
• Designed the interior of Windsor Town Hall near London,
• He built a ceiling supported by pillars.
• After city fathers had inspected the finished building,
• They decided the ceiling would not stay up;
• And so they ordered Wren to put in some more pillars.
• England's greatest architect didn't think the ceiling needed any more support,
• So he pulled a fast one.
• He added four pillars that did not do anything;
• In fact they don't even reach the ceiling.
• The optical illusion fooled the municipal authorities,
• And today the four sham pillars amuse many a tourist.
The right appearance does not mean it contains the right substance.
• The Jewish leaders outwardly looked the part.
• Ill: Rolls Royce cars with Reliant Robin Engines.
• Ill: In contrast Jesus looked like a Reliant Robin (ordinary man);
• But inside he had a Rolls Royce engine.
• And…………………………(ill: TV cliff-hanger)
• If you want to know what happens next then turn up next week!
