John 7:1-13

Relax, Read and Reflect

Prayer- Lord, Open our hearts and open our minds and help us learn. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.

John 7

^1-2 Later Jesus was going about his business in Galilee. He didn't want to travel in Judea because the Jews there were looking for a chance to kill him. It was near the time of Tabernacles, a feast observed annually by the Jews.

^3-5His brothers said, "Why don't you leave here and go up to the Feast so your disciples can get a good look at the works you do? No one who intends to be publicly known does everything behind the scenes. If you're serious about what you are doing, come out in the open and show the world." His brothers were pushing him like this because they didn't believe in him either.

^6-8Jesus came back at them, "Don't crowd me. This isn't my time. It's your time—it's always your time; you have nothing to lose. The world has nothing against you, but it's up in arms against me. It's against me because I expose the evil behind its pretensions. You go ahead, go up to the Feast. Don't wait for me. I'm not ready. It's not the right time for me."

^9-11He said this and stayed on in Galilee. But later, after his family had gone up to the Feast, he also went. But he kept out of the way, careful not to draw attention to himself. The Jews were already out looking for him, asking around, "Where is that man?"

^12-13There was a lot of contentious talk about him circulating through the crowds. Some were saying, "He's a good man." But others said, "Not so. He's selling snake oil." This kind of talk went on in guarded whispers because of the intimidating Jewish leaders.

Again I used "The Message" paraphrase for the text today. These passages are a little difficult to understand using more traditional texts. Jesus is going ton hang out in Galilee because the leaders of the church in Judea were mad at him. So he and his followers went to the festival of the booths at home. This was a multi week celebration of the exodus from Egypt, (remember Moses?) His disciples thought this would be a great opportunity to mingle and promote. The scripture say they were doing this because they didn't believe either.

Even though Jesus went to the fair, he went on the down low, and did not do the big miracle show his followers wanted. Some people began to whisper and doubt. We are no different. We want people to witness miracles so they can come to Christ even today. The big things make our witness easier, and when we have doubts, (and we all do,) we ask God for "signs" to make us feel better about our faith. It's not that we don't believe, we just need a lot of assurance.

1. Why did the disciples push Jesus to go to the fair?

2. Why were people not trusting when He finally arrived?

3. How is that different from us?

Prayer- Lord, Help us believe even when there are no great miracles or signs. Help us see the everyday miracles and make our lives signs of your wonder and majesty. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.