Have you heard someone say, “I wouldn’t bet the farm on that if I were you?” There are a lot you cannot of people you cannot count on. But there’s one you can bet the farm on, and His name is Jesus.
Find John 7 with me, if you will.
Jesus finds Himself poked and prodded by the public in every way. The Jesus we see in John 7 must defend Himself and define Himself on many fronts.1 In our story, people are seeking to kill Jesus, and no one wants to be publicly connected to Him. Still, there is a lot of curiosity surrounding Him. People are still curious about the controversial figure Jesus to this day.
Muslim Iman Conversion
In recent weeks, a Muslim Iman found believers in and around central India. The religious leader began to ask questions about following Jesus. After talking with American believers, the young Iman had a dream where a respected elder Iman told him everything he believed had no purpose. After hours of deep conversation about Jesus Christ and hours of Bible reading with believers, the Muslim Iman embraced Jesus Christ by faith at tremendous risk to himself. When this young Iman’s sister found a New Testament in his room, she reported this to their father, who also was an Iman. His family gave him a really hard time. But he continues to pursue the Lord Jesus Christ by reading God’s Word.
Would you pray for this young believer with me?
Sermon Preview
I want you to picture yourself as a member of the jury this morning. You must decide on this question: Who is Jesus Christ? There’s a trilemma that I want to show you that has helped thousands of people. A what? A trilemma to the question, “Who is Jesus Christ” ?. But there’s a wrinkle to this age-old question: Are you really capable of deciding? Jesus warns us to be aware of our bias in our investigation.
Today’s Scripture
“But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” 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.” Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.
About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 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 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. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 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? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:10-24).
Decline of American Christians
If current trends in America continue, less than 50% of people will identify as Christian believers by 2070. When I was but a few months old, 90% of Americans identified as followers of Jesus Christ. Today, only 64% of Americans would say they are followers of Jesus, according to the people at Pew Research.2 The worst-case scenario is this: As many as 42 million people raised in Christian homes will disaffiliate from Christianity by 2050.
1. Faux Disciples Offering False Wisdom
“For not even his brothers believed in him” (John 7:5).
Jesus’ stepbrothers kick off our story with a suggestion. There’s this interesting aspect of the story where Jesus’ brothers want His ministry to go viral. Jesus’ reaction to His nonbelieving brothers is insightful.
1.1 The Feasts of Booths
First, there’s the setting. The Feast of Booths or Tabernacles took place around September – October, when grapes and olives were being harvested (Leviticus 22:33-36). This festival was a celebration, the work was over, and now everyone can enjoy one another. People would gather from all around Jerusalem. They built makeshift booths to stay in during this holiday, so they called it the “Feast of the Booths.” The Feast of Tabernacles was a popular attraction that drew countless thousands to Jerusalem.
1.2 The PR Firm of the Hype Brothers
Secondly, the stepbrothers of Jesus are likely the younger children of Joseph and Mary. The Bible makes a careful note to point out in verse 5: “For not even his brothers believed in him” (John 7:5).
Jesus’ stepbrothers are another example in a long line of people that the Gospel of John has alerted us to: “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man” (John 2:23-25).
Evidently, you can be confident in Jesus as a great miracle worker and be full of desire that many people see Jesus’ greatness and yet not have saving faith in Jesus.3
[Pause]
It’s possible to believe in the miracles Jesus performs and even want others to see His miracles but not be a genuine believer in Jesus. So, these non-believers counsel Jesus, in effect, “We’ve got a great idea for you. Why don’t you go down to the big religious festival where all the people are in Jerusalem? Go down there and perform the same miracles you’ve been doing around here. Don’t work in secret; show the world what you can do.” In other words, Jesus’ stepbrothers wanted Him to take His ministry to proverbial Hollywood. You could call these brothers the Hype Brothers.
1.2.1 Small Crowds and Jesus
It’s not like Jesus was super popular at this point. Remember, the brother’s request comes on the heels of Jesus running off all the crowds in John 6. Jesus just gave His “drink my blood and eat my flesh” sermon. As a result, very few people stuck around to follow Him (John 6:60). At this point, Jesus’ ministry is the opposite of a megachurch.
1.3 Jesus Changes His Mind
At first, Jesus tells His brothers, “No, I’m not going. The timing isn’t right” in verses 6-8. Then, all of a sudden, Jesus shows up later in the Temple in Jerusalem in verse 10. Jesus seems to be really indecisive here. John gives us an important reminder at the beginning of chapter 7: “After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him” (John 7:1). Judea equals Jerusalem, and to go to Jerusalem was to court public execution. Remember, Jesus has already been in and around Jerusalem, but He left town because John 5:18 says, “This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18). So, if Jesus wants to prevent His murder at this time, why did He change His mind and later go to Jerusalem?
1.3.1 My Hour Has Not Yet Come
Pay special attention to Jesus’ words in verse 6: “Jesus said to them, ‘My time has not yet come, but your time is always here’” (John 7:6).
Jesus seemingly looks at an invisible watch on His wrist to announce to all, “My hour has not come.” John’s gospel works like a drumbeat that starts low and slow and only increases in volume and tempo as the story progresses. It’s as if Jesus is listening to a drumbeat from another place. John continually speaks of a mysterious hour with little to no explanation. Like Hansel and Gretel’s breadcrumbs, the reference to “the hour” in John's gospel is the time when Jesus is crucified and resurrected.
Jesus always had an eye for time, for He knew when the hour was and when it was not. Jesus was following a clock that no one else could read. It’s as if Jesus is hearing a dog whistle that only He can hear. When Jesus says, “My time has not yet come,” in verse 6, He’s aware that by publicly arriving in Jerusalem, He may inadvertently start His triumphal entry more than a year early. Each member of the Trinity had agreed before anything was created on the exact timing of Jesus’ death (Revelation 13:8).
1.4.2 Private, Not Publicly
Evidently, the Father signals Jesus in some way because verse 10 tells us that Jesus indeed made His way to Jerusalem. Only Jesus slips into Jerusalem privately, not publicly, the way His brothers wanted Him to do. Why did Jesus come later when He initially said He wasn’t? Probably because He didn’t want the distractions, such publicity brings at this point. Take note that His step-brothers wanted Him to show up to do miracles in verse 3. Jesus shows up to teach instead in verse 14. Jesus is totally in sync with the Father to the point where His every step on earth is planned from Heaven.
1. Faux Disciples Offering False Wisdom
2. The Man Who Won’t Go Away
“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’” (John 7:12).
If the book of John were a movie, you would notice a change in the musical score around John 7. The tension is mounting, and there’s trouble on the horizon.
2.1 Complicated Reception
Jesus’ public perception is really complicated at this point (as it still is today). Some think Jesus is a good man, and others think He’s a deceiver. But no one speaks of Jesus openly for fear of reprisal. Then you have these two side conversations that John offers us. Behind locked doors, controversies raged about who Jesus was and what His powers were. Out in public, discussions about Jesus were carried on in hushed tones.4 Jesus faces hostility, persecution, and ill will at every turn. Like an American politician on the campaign trail, Jesus is examined, poked, and prodded in every way. He was controversial then, and He is controversial now. What’s your opinion of Jesus? If you were asked by the person you most respected in life, “What do you personally think of Jesus?” how would you respond? And would you bet the farm on your response? Before you answer that, think of this.
2.2 Inverted Human Trajectory
Jesus is in a category all by Himself. Think of this: usually, when someone dies, their impact on the world immediately begins to recede. Famed fitness guru, Richard Simmons died earlier this summer. I almost wore his famous shorts this morning for you ?. Actor, Matthew Perry died earlier this year. If someone’s legacy will outlast their life, it usually becomes apparent when they die. Or, consider the death of controversial OJ Simpson, the man who likely killed his wife and her boyfriend after a successful NFL career. All of their influence has decreased since their death, rather than risen. Yet, Jesus inverted this normal human trajectory. Jesus’ impact was greater 100 years after his death than during his life. It was greater still after 500 years. After 1,000 years, his legacy laid the foundation for much of Europe. After 2,000 years, He has more followers in more places than ever. How do you explain this? Again, Jesus is in a category all by Himself. Jesus Is the Man Who Just Won’t Go Away.5
2.3 Lord, Liar, or Lunatic
“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’” (John 7:12). “The crowd answered, ‘You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?’” (John 7:20).
Today, people love to think of Jesus as simply a great moral teacher. Even in Jesus’ day, some people think He’s a good man in verse 12, while others think He’s crazy with demons in verse 20. Since ancient times, people have thought about Jesus as either Lord, Liar, or Lunatic. Think of this triangle where you have to choose one of three opinions concerning Jesus: Lord, Liar, or Lunatic. He’s Lord: Jesus was who He claimed to be — He’s God in human form. He’s a Liar: Jesus knowingly deceived people by claiming to be God. Or, He’s a Lunatic: Jesus believed He was God but was delusional or insane.
2.3.1 Liar
Someone who claims to be God but is not is not a good man but a bad man. Merely a “good man” is one thing Jesus could not possibly be. If you don’t believe Jesus is God, then you say He’s either a lunatic or a liar. Someone who lies about His essential identity is a liar, and a mere man who claims to be God lies about his essential identity. In the end, few choose that Jesus is a liar, and here’s why. How can you call someone a liar when He is as morally impeccable as Jesus is/was? Would a liar teach us to be honest even when it costs us? And if Jesus were lying by claiming to be God, would He consistently claim this to His death on the cross? I like how Josh McDowell has put it, “If Jesus was a con man, then He’s the best there ever was.”5
2.3.2 Lunatic
Still others opt that Jesus is a lunatic. There are lunatics in asylums who sincerely believe they are God. Some recognize this as a “divinity complex” is a recognized form of psychopathology. More than any other man in history, Jesus had the three essential virtues every human being needs and wants: wisdom, love, and creativity. He wisely saw into people’s hearts, and even behind their words. He solved insolvable problems. He also gave totally to others, including His very life. Finally, he was the most creative, interesting, unpredictable man who ever lived. The common verb describing those who met Jesus was “to wonder.” The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” (John 7:25). No one — believer, unbeliever, or agnostic — was ever bored by him.6
2.3.3 Lord
Calling Jesus merely a great teacher is not a logical option. You must decide between these three alternatives: Lord, Liar, or Lunatic. Doubting Thomas had to see the nail prints in Jesus’ side and in His hands before He exclaimed, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). So here you are, sitting on the jury, making a decision about Jesus. But Jesus does something that’s really unexpected here. I didn’t see this until a friend pointed it out.
2.4 No Neutral Observers
The Bible says Jesus went to Jerusalem, and He taught this in the courts of the Temple about seeking your own popularity, your own glory (verse 18). Jesus asks, “Why do you seek to kill me?” after He says, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God.” Why does this have to do with anything? In your search for God, you’re NOT a neutral observer. Robbers don’t go looking for cops. Robbers typically avoid engaging with law enforcement. This is a fundamental principle of criminal activity. The problem for all of us is what experts call motivated reasoning. I look not just for what is reasonable but I what I WANT to be reasonable. It’s where I allow my bias to determine what is reasonable.
2.4.1 Creation vs Evolution
When someone asks, “What’s the purpose of your existence?” and, “Do you believe there is meaning beyond this life?” I am often presented with a choice between seeing God as a Creator of the universe who holds me accountable or I can believe in evolution, where I am accountable to no one. If I want to have sex with whoever I want to, motivated reasoning says I will choose evolution. Not because it’s reasonable but because I want it to be reasonable. After all, I don’t have enough faith to believe in evolution. Jesus asks, “Why do you seek to kill me?” after saying, “none of you keeps the law,” in verse 19. Again, Robbers don’t go looking for cops. I am a sinner who doesn’t like God’s law.
2.4.2 Smokers
Jesus gives us this test to determine if He’s genuine: “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God” (John 7:17). Jesus says, in effect, “If you’re on the jury and you want to make a non-bias decision, then determine to do the will of God, and you’ll find out if I’m real.”
Look, most people who come to church don’t scour the Bible looking at Jesus. And most people don’t scour their lives in deep introspection. Most of us are more like the person who smokes. Yes, they know the evidence that smoking is terrible for their health, but they smoke anyway. If you show a smoker evidence of what smoking does to their health, do most of them stop cold turkey? You have motivated reasoning where you don’t want a God telling you what to do with your sex life, your money, and your time. Again, Robbers don’t go looking for cops.
2.5 In a Category by Himself
Still, Jesus Is the Man Who Just Won’t Go Away. How do you explain that when people want to curse, they don’t say, “Muhammed,” but they swear by saying the words “Jesus Christ”? Why do Muslims, Sikhs, Mormons, Unitarians, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Deists all find a way to incorporate Jesus into their religion? Again, Jesus is in a category all by Himself.
2.6 A Prayer
Our Father, we thank you that you have brought us to the place where we can see the evidence. It pushes us. We also realize faith is more than just looking at the evidence. Faith is stepping out. It’s trusting ourselves to the evidence we see. By showing us who You are, you are showing us who we are. We need You. Pray this with me, “I’m a broken person. I confess that to you, Lord. I’ve gone my own way. I ask you to direct my path today. I need Jesus Christ, and I trust Him. I see the evidence for Him. I trust my life to You, God. I trust Jesus, who died a death I deserve. Thank you for taking the punishment of my sin. Thank you for the gift of the resurrection.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Endnotes
1 Frederick Dale Bruner, The Gospel of John: A Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Cambridge, U.K.: Eerdmans, 2012), 463
2 https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/09/13/modeling-the-future-of-religion-in-america/; accessed October 10, 2024.
3 John Piper, “Preparing to Receive Christ: Willing to Do the Will of God,” Sermons from John Piper (1980–1989). (Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God, 2007).
4 R. Kent Hughes, John: That You May Believe, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1999), 214.
5 John Ortberg, Who Is This Man? The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2023).
6 Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2017).
7 Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli, Handbook of Christian Apologetics: Hundreds of Answers to Crucial Questions (Westmont, IL: IVP Academic, 1994), 159.
