The Gospel of John: John 7.25-36

Read and meditate on John 7.33, 34.
Part of the genius of our Lord’s teaching was His provocative way of making people think. He didn’t outline everything, and He didn’t explain every mystery or answer every question. He had told the people to judge for themselves according to the righteousness of God’s Law (Jn. 7.24), and He continually gave them grist to grind on the millstone of their minds.

                                                                  ³³Jesus then
explained, “I shall return to Him Who sent
Me after I have been with you for yet
a little longer. ³⁴You will try to get
with Me, but where I am you cannot come.”

- John 7.33, 34

Reflect
1.  In Jesus’ mind, He was managing the events of His earthly sojourn, and not anyone or anything else. How can you see that in these two verses?  Complete the following prayer: Lord Jesus, You uphold the universe and everything in it! You are the Lord of time, all time, even my time. Help me to use the time You grant me to…

2.  Jesus was already looking ahead to His ascension, as if that were a larger destination than the cross. Was it? Why or why not? You are seated at the right hand of God right now, Lord Jesus, and I am seated with You, so that…

3.  Why would the people not be able to find Jesus? Why do people today have trouble finding Jesus? Make me a guide to the blind, Lord, so that I can help people…

4.  “…and where I am you cannot come.” Ever? Explain. I fully expect to be where You are, Lord Jesus, even this day, as I…

5.  Jesus always seems to have two horizons in view, the temporal and the eternal. Explain. Is this a good discipline for us to master? Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“Here Jesus is saying: I was sent to give you life, and with long suffering to bring back to God those who had stumbled through sin. I came to remove death which had fallen upon human nature because of transgression. I came to instill the divine and heavenly light in those in darkness and, moreover, to preach the gospel to the poor, to give recovery of sight to the blind, to preach deliverance to the captives, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. But, since it seems good to you in your senselessness to drive away the one who offers you such a rich bounty of heavenly goods, after a little while I will take myself back to him from whom I came, and you shall repent. Then, consumed by unavailing hindsight you will weep bitterly for yourselves and while you eagerly look to find the giver of life, you shall not be able to enjoy the one for whom you long. Having once turned aside and departed from my love towards you, I shall wholly deny you that which you seek.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

People need to realize that, when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, today is the day of salvation, now is the acceptable time. They may not have a tomorrow, much less a “some other time.” Do you think your church is sufficiently urgent about proclaiming the Gospel to its community? Why or why not?

Closing Prayer
I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull,
Which has horns and hooves.
The humble shall see this and be glad;
And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.
For the LORD hears the poor,
And does not despise His prisoners.
Let heaven and earth praise Him,
The seas and everything that moves in them.
For God will save Zion
And build the cities of Judah,
That they may dwell there and possess it.
Also, the descendants of His servants shall inherit it,
And those who love His name shall dwell in it.

Psalm 69.30-36

Psalm 69.34-36 (Greensleeves: What Child Is This?)
Let heav’n and earth now praise You, Lord, the seas and all their creatures,
For You will save us by Your Word and build Your City’s features.
There we will with Jesus dwell and know His blessings full and well.
His glorious Name we’ll tell to every man and creature!

T. M. Moore

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.

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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.