The Gospel of John: John 7.1-24

Read and meditate on John 7.12, 13.
The word was out and spreading about Jesus, but the reviews were mixed. Many people were testifying about his good works and wondrous teaching. But the religious leaders were spreading lies about Him, and warning the people to steer clear. All the more reason for Jesus to be present at the feast, so people could judge for themselves (Jn. 7.24).

¹²And there was much complaining there
concerning Him. Some said, “Yes, He is good.”
But others contradicted them: “How could
He be? He’s a deceiver!” ¹³No one though
spoke openly of Him. The Jews would know,
and all the people were afraid of them.

- John 7.12, 13

Reflect
1.  Again, John reports that “there was much complaining” about Jesus among the people. The verb indicates a certain measure of unsettledness. At least people were talking about Him. Should we be trying to get people talking about Jesus today, even if all they do is complain? Explain. Complete this prayer: Lord, show me what I can do to get the people in my Personal Mission Field to start talking about You. Today, let me…

2.  The people’s complaining about Jesus reveals a spectrum of opinions, from good to wicked. How do the people in your Personal Mission Field feel about Jesus? Do they fall somewhere on that spectrum? How could you find out? I need boldness, Lord, to talk with people about You. Give me wisdom to know…

3.  What were the sources of these opinions about Jesus? Who would have reported that He was a good Man? Who would have insisted that He was deceiving the people? Which of those voices is being most heard in your Personal Mission Field? Lord, You have sent me to particular people, week after week, and I…

4.  Why were the people afraid of the Jews? What could they do? What power did they wield over the people? Why are Christians today afraid to talk about Jesus? What power do others have over them? Lord, whenever I fear what people might think or do because of my witness…

5.  In the Kingdom of God, the Christian lives in the tension between patiently waiting to realize more of the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom, and being troubled by those who oppose the Gospel, deny God, and reject faith (cf. Rev. 1.9). Jesus understood this tension, and He thrived in it. How do you experience this tension? Bring together into one your prayers from questions 1-4.

Summary
“Whoever had any spark of grace said, ‘He is a good man.’ … The rest say, ‘No, he seduces the people.’ That something like this was said of him who was God is a consolation to any Christian of whom the same may be said. If to seduce is to deceive, Christ was not a seducer, nor can any Christian be. But if by seducing you mean bringing a person by persuasion out of one way of thinking into another, then we must inquire what the way of thinking is that you are calling them from and to. If from good to evil, the seducer is an evil person; if from evil to good, he is a good one. If only we were all called, and really were, that sort of seducers!” Augustine (354-430 AD)

Jesus was an unsettling presence in His world. We have seen this over and over. Why do we as His followers not relish this role?

Closing Prayer
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.
Revive me, O LORD, for Your name's sake!
For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

Psalm 143.8-11

Psalm 143.7-12 (Divinum Mysterium: Of the Father’s Love Begotten)
Answer quickly, O my Lord! Do not hide from me Your face!
For my spirit fails and I am like those who do not know Your grace.
In the morning let me hear Your steadfast love; Lord, I trust You, show my way!
I lift up my soul and pray!

Rescue me from all my enemies! Lord, I refuge seek in You.
Let me know Your will, O Lord my God; make me know what I must do.
Let Your Spirit lead me on to level ground; save my life! Preserve my soul!
Rescue, Lord, and make me whole!
           
T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.