What Are We Going To Do With Jesus?

What are we going to do with Jesus?

Nov 13, 2011 John 7:25-52

Intro:

What are we going to do with Jesus? There are lots of possibilities, as we’ll see in our Scripture this morning, but ultimately it is going to come down to you and I, deciding what we are going to do with Jesus and then living our eternity out of the basis of that decision. And there is some really incredible, amazing life awaiting.

Background:

When last we looked at the Gospel of John, Jesus had just returned to Jerusalem for an important festival, the festival of shelters, at some risk since the earlier time He had been in Jerusalem He had healed a lame man and gotten in trouble because it was the Sabbath. The first half of John 7 tells of the crowds trying to figure out who this Jesus is. The second half sees more confusion, and the question – who is this Jesus?

John 7:25-52 (NLT):

25 Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? 26 But here he is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he is the Messiah? 27 But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where he comes from.

28 While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him. 29 But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you. 30 Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.

31 Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in him. After all, they said, would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?

32 When the Pharisees heard that the crowds were whispering such things, they and the leading priests sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus. 33 But Jesus told them, I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me. 34 You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going.

35 The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. Where is he planning to go? they asked. Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands? Maybe he will even teach the Greeks! 36 What does he mean when he says, You will search for me but not find me, and You cannot go where I am going?

37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, Rivers of living water will flow from his heart. 39 (When he said living water, he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

40 When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting. 41 Others said, He is the Messiah. Still others said, But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born. 43 So the crowd was divided about him. 44 Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.

45 When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, Why didn’t you bring him in?

46 We have never heard anyone speak like this! the guards responded.

47 Have you been led astray, too? the Pharisees mocked. 48 Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? 49 This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!

50 Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. 51 Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing? he asked.

52 They replied, Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!

Options:

We see the characters in the story trying to figure out who this Jesus is, and I think it is a very worthwhile thing to wrestle with, today as much as then. The story presents us with several perspectives: