The Gospel of John: John 7.25-36

Read and meditate on John 7.30, 31.
Here is an interesting look at how the power of God works for His redemptive plan.

³⁰They sought to take Him when
He said these things; however, none of them
dared lay a hand on Him, because His hour
had not yet come. ³¹And many in that hour
believed in Him and said, “When Christ comes, will
He do more signs than this Man has?”

- John 7.30, 31

Reflect
1.  Verse 30 (NKJV) begins with Therefore. Evidently, Jesus’ words in verses 28 and 29 were especially provocative. Why? Do people today become provoked when we tell them Jesus is from God, and is God? Explain. Complete this prayer: Lord, You did not hold back from provoking people as You spoke the truth in love. Let me not be afraid to…

2.  The word sought in verse 30 is, in the Greek, were seeking. This suggests some activity to “take” Jesus. But “no one laid a hand on Him.” What was going on? How were they seeking? Why didn’t they just sweep into the temple precincts, Roman cohort in support, and snatch Him away? What was restraining them? Lord, I don’t understand how Your power works in every situation, but I believe that…

3.  John explains that Jesus’ hour “had not yet come.” What hour? What does it suggest about all time, and all activity within time, that this hour had such an effect on those who were seeking Jesus? It was not Jesus’ hour then, Lord, but today is the day of salvation! So help me to…

4.  God’s restraining power against the enemies of Christ created space for “many of the people” to believe in Jesus. Meditate on Matthew 12.22-29. Is God still doing this in our day? Explain. Lord, I pray today that You would bind the devil, the deceiver, the enemy of people’s soul, from…

5. Clearly, the people had signs on the brain. They’d seen not only the lame man healed, but many other signs (since people were in Jerusalem from all over Judea and Galilee at this time). Should people today expect to see signs confirming the claims of Jesus? What kind of signs? From whom? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote for questions 1-4.

Summary
“His saying, however, ‘Whom you know not,’ irritated the Jews, who professed to have knowledge. ‘And they sought to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.’ Mark the invisible check that is kept on their fury, though the Evangelist does not mention it but preserves purposely a humble and human way of speaking in order to impress us with Christ’s humanity. Therefore, he only adds, ‘Because his hour was not yet come.’ John Chrysostom (344-407 AD) “They wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him—as if they were prevented by divine power—because the time had not come yet in which his passion had to be accomplished. From this it appears that he could not be arrested by them if he did not want to be.” Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428 AD)

The power of God often works in subtle ways to accomplish the saving purposes of the Lord. Jesus promised that we would receive that power so that we could be His witnesses (Acts 1.8). How do you expect the power of God to be at work in you today?

Closing Prayer
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34.1-8

Psalm 34.1-9, 3 (Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
I will bless the Lord at all times; I shall praise Him evermore!
My soul makes its boast in Jesus – Him we gladly all adore!
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I sought the Lord, He answered, and from fear delivered me.
Those who look to Him are radiant; shamed their face shall never be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I cried to God, He heard me, and from trouble rescued me.
‘Round their camp His angel lingers that they may delivered be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

Taste and see how good is Jesus; blessed are all who in Him hide.
None shall lack for any blessing who in Christ will e’er confide.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

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.