Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” John 7:33-34
I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 7:32-36, where we see the Pharisees and chief priests reaction to the people asking themselves whether Jesus is the Promised Messiah as Jesus continues to teach in the temple during the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.
- What do we learn from the text about God?: In response to efforts to arrest Him, in vv33-34, Jesus offers prophecy about His coming crucifixion and resurrection (to be seated at the right hand of the Father. The Gospel of John does not explicitly discuss both Jesus' resurrection and ascension (followed by Him being seated at the right hand of God) but these events are in Mark 16:19, and with differing details also in Luke 22:69, 24:50-51, and Matthew 26:64. In v34 Jesus shares how where He is going no one else will be able to go and in contrast to Jeremiah 29:13 and Matthew 7:7 (Sermon on the Mount) Jesus shares that "[y]ou will seek me and you will not find me."
- What do we learn from the text about people?: The Pharisees and chief priests do not Jesus as the Promised Messiah but instead as a threat to their position and status so we see them seeking to arrest Him - v32. Vv35-36 details the response from the Jewish leadership who don't understand Jesus' statements as they have hardened hearts and God has not softened them to see that He IS the Promised Messiah. Of note here is how they refer to the Dispersion and their question whether Jesus' teaching refers to how He will teach the Greek Jews which indeed did happen through various ministry efforts of the early church.
- Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): It is OK to ask questions about God and test scripture (as the Bereans did) and use reason with one another to deepen understanding of His Word, but we should not doubt that Jesus is the Messiah. He saves. He IS seated at the right hand of God the Father in Heaven and He is saving a place for us. Trust in God and believe that He saves and gives eternal life.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves, and is saving a place for me in Heaven where You are now! Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You love and save. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
