John 7

Read John Ch 7

What always strikes me most about this chapter is the confusion of the people about Jesus:

12 And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” 13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

When taken in combination with Ch 6 one sees every possible response to Jesus there is.

1. That of anger and resentment that Jesus doesn't do what we want Him to do; that He doesn't respond to our situation the way we desire but according to what He knows is best for us. (Jn 6:66)
2. Those who are so offended by the truth because it doesn't match what they want to believe that they vehemently, militantly reject Jesus and seek to destroy Him and anything connected with His offensive teaching. They belittle and persecute anyone who suggests they might agree with Him. (Jn 7:1,47-52)
3. Those who go to church and are in some way connected with Jesus (at least in the eyes of men) but who have never really accepted Jesus, nor know Him intimately, and who deny by their actions His claims to be God (Jn 7:3-5). They believe He is a "good man" and nothing more (v12).
4. Those who are intrigued by Jesus's words but aren't sure what to make of Him (Jn 7:25-27). Their initial belief in Jesus is based solely on what little they've seen and heard, but their faith has not yet been tested (Jn 7:31, 40-46)
5. Those who respond with absolute submission, as Peter did: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn 6:68-69)

Where am I, Lord?

John 6

Read John 6

The thing that jumps out of this chapter to me is this:

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

I'm always struck by how confrontational Jesus is. He's not mean or angry, but His words are always so direct. So direct, in fact, that many can't handle it. A bunch of the people in this passage had been there for the miracle of the fishes and loaves. It seems so similar to the American church: we want all the cool stuff but we don't want Jesus. The truth he speaks offends us. These people, who had just eaten the miraculous bread and fish, then chase him down not because they wanted to know the Man who had performed the miracle, but, as Jesus states in v26, because they wanted more bread! And if that weren't enough, when He suggests that He is "the bread of life" and has been sent from God, they demand "perform a miracle to prove it"! The audacity!

Notice also that Jesus doesn't beg these people to come to Him. He doesn't entice them with yet another miracle of fishes and loaves. Yet He also doesn't become enraged and send them all away. He simply reiterates His point: "If you want to live forever - if you want to know the God of Moses - you will listen to Me." Jesus simply repeats the central messge of the Gospel: "Come to me..." The people can't take it.

They came for food. They got the truth. They went away angry.