You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come. John 7:8
I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 7:1-9, where Jesus continues to remain in Galilee - having just taught at the synagogue in Capernaum. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.
- What do we learn from the text about God?: Once again we see Jesus focused squarely on His plan - He will not be deterred by the prompting of the disciples to go to Judea - vv3-5. Jesus will not leave Galilee and go into Judea as He knows the "Jews were seeking to kill him" (v1). In response to the prompting to go to Judea where the Jews were celebrating the Feast of Booths, Jesus shares that His "time has not come yet, but your time is always here" (v6). He repeats that His time has not come yet once again in v8. Jesus also shares in v7 that world hates Jesus because "[He] testif[ies] about it that its works are evil."
- What do we learn from the text about people?: The disciples believe they have a better plan than that of Jesus - see vv3-5 where their argument to Him to go to Judea is that Jesus' works must be more visible for people to believe in Him. Yet what the disciples don't know is that the greatest work of all time - the raising of Jesus from the grave - is on the way. And....Jesus has more work to do both with the disciples and with His ministry.
- Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid seeking not our own will but that of God. Follow Jesus' example to focus on the Father’s will and not be deterred.
My Prayer: Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You followed the Father's will to be delivered to death only to be raised in three days....You stuck to this plan and would not be deterred to follow others' will for Your life. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of what You did...for me personally and for all of humanity. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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.
