Gtcotr/ss100123
John 7 NKJV
1 ¶ After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.
2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand.
3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.
4 “For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”
5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
8 “You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.”
9 When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.
10 But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
It can be really tough when people don’t believe in you. Especially when your family, even your brothers, don’t believe in you.
Jesus’ brothers said to Him: “If you can really do the things you say, or the things others say you can do, show Yourself to the world.” However they didn’t understand that Jesus wasn’t helping and healing and feeding the multitudes so He could become somebody … He did it because He was.
People often make the mistake of judging others by what they would do if they had the chance. What would you do if you could do anything?
John 7
14 ¶ Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.
15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”
16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
17 “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.”
Let’s take a closer look at what Jesus said. (Allow me to paraphrase) “If anyone wants to do God’s will, he will recognize the truth of God when he hears it. ”Hedging or having our minds made up as to what we want, instead of what God wants, will confuse us. We should stop and ask ourselves what we want. Do I want to please God? If so, the answer often becomes clear.
John 7
37 ¶ On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Some of the people who heard Jesus said He was a prophet, others said He can’t be!
John 7:43 So the crowd was divided about Him.
We cannot afford to be divided. The Feast of Tabernacles is a time which reminds us that Jesus will one day set up His Kingdom on the earth. Presently we dwell in a temporary tent, an earth suit, a body of clay. One day God will tabernacle with us permanently andin person. Until then:
Now more than ever we must stand up for what we believe. Jesus’ brothers did not even believe in Him. What do you believe? How does your faith impact others who live with and around you? Stand up for Jesus! How can I stand up for Jesus? You tell me …
