The Gospel of John: John 7.37-52

Read and meditate on John 7.44.
Jesus intruded Himself into, and made Himself the focal point, of the concluding ceremony of the Feast of Tabernacles. The people were divided, the rulers wanted to arrest him, and a posse was circling Him, even as He spoke. But, there He was, still speaking.

        ⁴⁴And none laid hands on Him, although
some wanted to arrest Him, even so.

- John 7.32

Reflect
1.  Some people didn’t care who Jesus was. They just wanted to be done with Him. Why? Complete this prayer: Lord, there will always be those who don’t care to know the truth and just want us to be quiet about You. Nevertheless…

2.  John explains that there were people who wanted to “take” Jesus, that is, to kill Him (Jn. 7.1). They had struck fear in the hearts of the people, warning them not even to talk about Him (Jn. 7.13). They scorned Him (7.15), slandered Him (7.20), and “sought to take Him” (7.30). What was holding them back? Doubtless, Lord, there are many today who wish You’d just go away, but the power that restrained Your enemies then is still at work today. Use that power in me, Lord, to…

3.  We recall that many people were beginning to believe in Jesus (v. 31). Does the fact that many believe in Jesus, and are willing to say so publicly, exert a kind of restraining power over the enemies of Christ? Explain. We are called to be Your witnesses, Lord. Help me today to…

4.  We recall that those who wanted to take Him had sent out a police force to do precisely that (v. 32). Still, “no one laid hands on Him.” He was not ready to be glorified (v. 39), and so His enemies would just have to fume and foment, waiting for the Lord’s hour to come around. How does God restrain evil in our day? You are good, Lord, and You are sovereign. I need not be afraid of any evil because…

5.  Jesus continued making Himself known by using various Old Testament teachings, episodes, and images to refer to Himself. People were developing opinions about Him, and taking sides one way or another. But all this division, the many who were believing, and those who wanted to silence Him, came about because Jesus was there, proclaiming His message and challenging people’s faulty views. What’s the lesson here for us? Bring together into one your prayers from questions 1-4.

Summary
“The Jews are not haphazard in the inquiries about Christ. They can be found going through each and every idea in order to arrive at a perception of the truth. For having first marveled at his words, they next turn to the divine Scripture thinking to find there a most unerring conception of him, for such is its nature. They believe that he shall be of the seed of the thrice-blessed David and shall be revealed in Bethlehem of Judea, persuaded by the prophecies concerning this. … But the unassisted mind of the Jews was led astray and failed to find Christ merely on account of Nazareth, which was situated in Galilee. It was common knowledge that our Lord was brought up here. … But they did not know that he had been born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Holy Virgin, who was of the seed of David (for she was of the tribe of Judah by descent). Merely knowing that our Lord was brought up at Nazareth, they fall away from the truth and lack sound reasoning.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

The Jews had the authority to seize Jesus, and the power to do so – at least, humanly and legally. And yet they could not, because Jesus Himself was restraining them from doing so. We do not need to fear people. We must, like Jesus, bear witness to the truth, and let people respond as they will. Are you ready for this?

Closing Prayer
Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The LORD shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”

Psalm 2.1-6

Psalm 2.1-6 (Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High!)
Why do the nations vainly rage,
Conspiring together from age to age?
Earth’s kings and all of their counselors stand
Against the Lord and His Right Hand:

“Now let us cast His yoke below,
His Kingdom authority overthrow!
Throw off His Law, reject His Word;
No more be governed by this Lord!”

The Lord in heaven laughs in wrath
At all who embark on this cursèd path.
His angry Word to them is plain:
“Yet shall My King in Zion reign!”
           
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.