John 7:1-13 Road Trip: Twisted & Mixed Agendas

Paragraphs
Verses 1-9 Hidden Agendas Revealed
Verses 10-13 Mixed Public Opinion

COMMENTARY
1. After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. 2. Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near. John turns a sharp chronological corner in this section that extends half way through the 10th chapter (John 7:1-10:18). John knew of Jesus' later Galilean ministry but felt that it was not detrimental to the Gospel according to him. John, therefore, has Jesus leaving Capernaum with those events occurring prior to Passover (6:4) to the time of the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths. Note that the Jews were progressing in their disdain for Jesus. They were now seeking to kill Him. Their acts are now premeditated, planned and will ultimately be, from a human perspective, murder in the first degree. The Feast of Booths or Tabernacles which lasted seven days (vv. 33-43) was one of the appointed feasts given in Leviticus 23 occurring in the last half of September or the first half of October. The feast was one of three annual feasts at which attendance was required of all Jewish men (Expositor's Bible Commentary, Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed., Zondervan Corporation, Vol. 9, p. 82). Every seventh year during this feast debts were canceled (Deuteronomy 31:10). Our ultimate depth was soon to be canceled. "Mary, did you know that the boy that you delivered, would soon deliver you?" -Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. 3. Therefore His brothers said to Him, "Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. 4. "For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." Jesus, do You need a PR man? Here, let me give you some direction about how to market yourself. If you would just get out in front of the crowd in Jerusalem a little, then you would in a position to call the shots. Family? Brothers? If anyone had an opportune position of knowing Jesus intimately, it would be His brothers. Yet they seem to be driven by their desires for position, power and publicity. I don't think that experientially knew their Brother. They were bent on riding on the Golden Child's coat tails. So much of religion, man reaching his hand out and performing for god is done publicly and before men. While Christianity is about the condition of the heart and the private integrity of it. I have heard it said that what a man does alone and in the dark is a measure of who he truly is. 5. For not even His brothers were believing in Him. They were not believing. But, they were manipulating and persuading Him. Believing is trust. Trust is not manipulation and persuasion. The number of followers, 'believers,' 'disciples' is dwindling. 6. So Jesus said to them, "My time is not yet here, but your time is always opportune. 7. "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil. 8. "Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come." Jesus is aware of the timing. This point always amazes me. "Eternity steps into time so that we would understand" - Michael Card . Listen at that chastisement: ὁ δὲ καιρὸς ὁ ὑμέτερος πάντοτε ἐστιν ἕτοιμος. The world cannot hate that which is a synonymous expression. The world only hates that which is different or in opposition to it. Jesus fits that description. They are seeking to kill Him. 9. Having said these things to them, He stayed in Galilee. They say 'Go.' He says, 'NO" and stays put for now.

10. But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret. Remember that if you ever go to Jerusalem, regardless of your southward, northward, eastward or westward approach, you will always refer to 'up' supporting the altitude and prominence of the city of Jerusalem. It is up. Jesus' 'secret' arrival into Jerusalem was either due to arriving via a unpopular route, i.e. through Samaria. Or, Jesus came into the city an unorthodox time. Irregardless, His arrival was not an act of deception. The Greek word, κρυπτός, means: secret, hidden, inward, private, covered or concealed. This word, κρυπτός, also translated "'secret service' was used by the Athenians in the subjectstates" (Liddell Scott Jones). For a man with opposed need of a PR man, Jesus had to work at secrecy. I don't know about you, but if walked down main of my hometown, it would be considered secret because I don't have the notoriety. Jesus had the notoriety and He did not need to go public. 11. So the Jews were seeking Him at the feast and were saying, "Where is He?" Look for Him. But, do not ever be caught looking for Him in order to kill Him. Look for Him. For He is the Bread of Life. 12. There was much grumbling among the crowds concerning Him; some were saying, "He is a good man;" others were saying, "No, on the contrary, He leads the people astray." A divided public opinion. "Those who spoke evil of him spoke out, because they had the rulers on their side; but those who spoke good of him were obliged to do it in private, because they feared these rulers. Calumny and slander are among the privileged orders; they stalk abroad with their thousand brazen mouths, and blast the reputation of the followers of God" - Clarke's Commentary on the Bible at http://biblecommenter.com/john/7-12.htm. 13. Yet no one was speaking openly of Him for fear of the Jews. This comment is as contemporary as today's local paper and weather forecast. The only exception is that the Church of the 21st Century is concerned with being popular, politically correct, offensive, and relevant. What about the TRUTH regardless of its popularity, political correctness, offensiveness or relevance? As we will soon see, experiencing the TRUTH will set you FREE.

SUMMARY
Are you trusting in God's timing or are you focused on the latest media technique, marketing ploy, popular relevance or being offensive? Do you trust God or do you just say you trust God?

The Feast of Booths was a time directed by God for His people to rest, reflect and give thanks. What in your life tells that story?

"The brethren or kinsmen of Jesus were disgusted, when they found there was no prospect of worldly advantages from him. Ungodly men sometimes undertake to counsel those employed in the work of God; but they only advise what appears likely to promote present advantages. The people differed about his doctrine and miracles, while those who favoured him, dared not openly to avow their sentiments. Those who count the preachers of the gospel to be deceivers, speak out, while many who favour them, fear to get reproach by avowing regard for them."
-Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary at http://biblecommenter.com/john/7-1.htm

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