The Gospel of John: John 7.25-36

Read and meditate on John 7.28, 29.
Now this is curious: Jesus insisted that the people who were confused and uncertain about Him actually knew Him, and where He was from. What could He mean by this?

            ²⁸Then Jesus cried, “You all know Me,
and you know where I come from. On My own
I have not come, and none of you has known
Him Who sent Me, but He is true, ²⁹and I
know Him, for I am come from Him, and by
Him I was sent.”

- John 7.28, 29

Reflect
1.  Meditate on Romans 1.18-21. In what sense can we say, with Paul, that people already know God? How do many people respond to God’s revealing Himself to them? Why? Is it important to know that the people in your Personal Mission Field already know God at some level? Explain.Complete this prayer: Everyone knows You, Lord, even those who deny it and deny You. Show me how to…

2.  More specifically, Jesus said these people knew Him, as well as where He was from! How did they know that? What were they doing with this knowledge? Everyone needs to hear about You, Jesus, and You have sent me…

3.  It might seem as if Jesus was contradicting Paul in verse 28. How was Paul using the word know? How was Jesus using it? Can someone both know God and not know Him? Explain. Lord, it’s no wonder people are so confused and uncertain about so many things! They know You, but not like I do. Thank You, Lord, for showing Yourself to me. Use me to…

4.  Meditate on verse 29. Explain each of the following words: know, am from, and sent. How would you apply these words to yourself? I know You Lord, and truly, I am from You, and You have sent me to…

5.  Do you think it’s possible that someone who truly knows the Lord, and understands that he has been sent by Him, could do anything other than what Jesus did by proclaiming the salvation of the Lord? Explain. Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.

Summary
“The Lord introduces two opinions about himself: (1) that they know where he comes from, since his mother is Mary; and (2) that he has something they do not know, since he is and has come from God. Therefore, he would not be a presumptuous person or a self-appointed teacher but had rather arrived at his teaching because God the Father sent him. Moreover, God who had sent him was not known to them because they kept themselves as far apart as possible from the God of true knowledge inasmuch as they revolted from his purpose and deeds. It is quite reasonable that he would know the Father, since he himself was with him. One knows one’s relatives and household best.” Apollinaris of Laodicea 310-392 AD)

Jesus challenged those who heard Him to get the right information about Him – to know Him. How does knowing Jesus fit within your presentation of the Gospel? Why is knowing Jesus so important?

Closing Prayer
Give ear to my words, O LORD,
Consider my meditation.
Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray.
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil dwell with You.
The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity.
You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.
Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
Make Your way straight before my face.

Psalm 5.1-8

Psalm 5.1-8 (Meirionydd: O Savior, Precious Savior)
O Lord, attend and hear me, consider how I groan.
Receive my cries and near be, and love me as Your own.
By morning, Lord, I seek You, for You will hear my voice;
My every need You speak to, and make my soul rejoice!

In sin You take no pleasure; no evil dwells with You.
Vain boasts You will not treasure, nor those who boasting do.
Sin kindles Your hot anger, You crush all those who lie;
The violent live in danger of Your all-searching eye.

O Lord, Your lovingkindness escorts me in this place.
I bow before Your highness and praise Your glorious grace!
In righteous ways You guide me; Your pathway I will know.
No good will be denied me as I with Jesus go.

T. M. Moore

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Jesus is the Centerpiece of all Scripture, as He Himself explained (Jn. 5.39). But how can we learn to see Him there? How do the primary themes of Scripture revolve around Jesus? Our online course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, shows you how best to get at, get into, and get with the Word of God, so that you can grow more consistently in the Lord. It’s free, and you can study at your own pace. For more information or to register, click here.

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.