John, Chapter 7

John 7

In summary --

In this chapter we begin to see some of the confusion going on about who Jesus is.
It is the time of one of the three major festivals of the Jews. Because of the Jewish leaders plotting against him, Jesus has stayed away from Jerusalem and been preaching, teaching, and performing miracles near his home in the north. When the fall festival time comes around, his disciples want to go to Jerusalem where Jesus can make his claims before all the people.
Jesus says it's not time for that and encourages them to go on without him. He later went quietly, but was soon teaching in the temple.

The text shows us that there were many that thought he must be a prophet or messenger from God. Some argued that he was not and was leading people astray. Some were afraid to say what they thought because he was a pretty controversial person and they didn't want to take sides or were afraid of repercussions (kind of like politics today).

Most people were confused by the teaching of Jesus because (like last chapter) he speaks of eternal things and they hear with their earthly minded ears.

My favorite verse --

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"

Belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior fills our spirit and flows from us.

Something to think about --

There are some things that haven't changed in the past two thousand years. Following Jesus, believing that he is God, and understanding him can still be difficult. Far greater minds than mine have disagreed over who Jesus is. Great theologians disagree on how we are saved and how we should live. Some people are still afraid of taking a stand because of what others might think.

We want Venues High on Sunday morning to be a safe place for you to ask questions, to vent your frustrations about not understanding, or to voice your thoughts on what you believe or doubt about the Bible and its teaching.

I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

John <><