John 7

Thanks for coming back for John 7!  A big topic of discussion in this passage is "Who is Jesus?" In the middle of this discussion, Jesus goes to the "Feast of Booths/Tabernacles" which was to remember Israel's wilderness experience (wandering in the desert with Moses).  The people at the feast were having a TMZ moment, they were talking about the latest gossip regarding this local celebrity Jesus. While this is happening, Jesus steps up to teach in the tabernacles (place of worship for the Jews).  When He is done, the murmuring about Him kicks up a notch.  They can't believe that this son of a carpenter is able to teach the way He does and know the things He knows.  Jesus reminds them that God sent Him and it is for His glory that He says the things He says (v18).

Then something crazy happens.  Something that would never happen in a church today, Jesus was accused of having a demon!  The Jesus we portray in Sunday school and in movies as a friendly, happy member of the Nickelback (with layered hair and a nicely trimmed beard) would never be accused of such things.  Why?  He accused the Jews of wanting to kill him...and He was kind of ruining their nice, neat religion they had carved out for themselves.  He had healed a man on the Sabaath, their day of rest, and they hadn't gotten over it yet (Ch5).  Which is kind of funny right?  I heal a man of his disease, teach about God and love the unlovable and you want to kill me.  Are you sure I have a demon?

It is amazing to me that not many things have changed.  We are still talking about Jesus.  There is still controversy over who He is and if He is the Son of God.  Was He a good man or someone leading the people astray (v12)?  Was He a prophet or the Son of God (v40-41)?  We each need to make that decision about Jesus.  Was He our Lord, a liar or a lunatic?  He couldn't be a good man if He wasn't who He said He was, that make Him a liar.  If He wasn't lying and just believed that He was the Son of God, that makes Him crazy.  There is another alternative.  That He was who He said He was.  That Jesus was and is the Son of God.  I have made up my mind.  Have you?

Cool Fact:

Nicodemus appears in this chapter to defend Jesus.  You will remember Nick from Chapter 3 of John where He began a relationship with him.  Pretty cool that his faith demands that he springs into action!