Understanding Jesus’ Words: Truth and Timing

Read John’s Gospel, Chapter 7.

Jesus’ signs

Jesus showed signs He was the Son of God: the healing of the paralytic and the feeding of the multitude. This should have been enough to make the people believe, but it didn’t.

Jesus’ life was in danger. The disbelief, hatred, and downright hostility were real. His opponents wanted to silence Him. As time progresses, their hatred only gets stronger until ultimately, “the cross.”

His words mattered

He has the words of eternal life, but their own prejudices and selfishness make them deaf. Prejudice turns into hatred, and hatred becomes rejection.

The one who judges others by their own standards never seeks the truth.

It is difficult for me to move on in this chapter without recognizing how Jesus continued to do God’s will in so great a cloud of unbelief and hatred.

His words and actions created misunderstanding and hostility.

Therefore, Jesus told them (His unbelieving brothers), “The right time for Me has not yet come; for you, any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify that what it does is evil… because for Me the right time has not yet come.” John 7:6-7 & 8a NIV.

His timing mattered

Jesus knew God’s timing. Those around you can not manipulate divine time. He would not be moving until the right time.

We’re given a window into understanding why there was so much hatred. They could not tolerate the words of truth. Evil is as evil does, and they prefer to do it in the shadows.

Jesus has the words of eternal life, but He also has the words of truth. His witness is yes and amen.

When we think of evil, we think of the lowest of the low. When the Lord sees evil, He sees more than the actions of the sinner; He sees the sorrow, calamity, and distress in its wake.

The world does not want to see what Jesus sees. Blame the sorrow, calamity, and distress on God, not on yourself. Sin’s death blow is real.

Yielding to the cosmic evil force is making friends with Satan and enemies of God.

Public opinion does not matter

The question is: Would Jesus still go to the festival even when public opinion was mixed?

Yes.

However, after His brothers had left for the Feast, He went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for Him and asking, “Where is that man?”

Among the crowds, there was widespread whispering about Him. Some said, “He is a good man.”

Others replied, “No, He deceives the people.” But no one would say anything publicly about Him for fear of the Jews. John 7:12-13 NIV.

Jesus does not just come to the feast; He goes to the Temple to teach.

His words will not be silenced.

What He teaches them is significant. Even His critics admitted that He spoke like no other. He spoke as one taught with authority.

Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without studying?” John 7:14-15 NIV.

Jesus, ever true to His word, came to proclaim the truth: His teaching came not from Himself, but from God. The perfect Messenger gave credit to the Sender.

How we Listen Matters

Jesus answered, “My teaching is not My own. It comes from Him who sent Me. John 7:16 NIV.

Here is where it gets interesting. Jesus is judged by His words and His witness. Let’s take heed and listen – lean in to learn.

If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own. He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. John 7: 17-18 NIV.

Jesus is “a man of truth,” there’s no falseness in Him.

The crowds will move as crowds do at the loudest voice that moves them, even to riot. They don’t question if it’s real or not. The majority rules. Riots are violent, and hate fills the wings of lies and deception.

Jesus’ words are true.

Even today, it is up to us to believe His words. The world still hates Jesus because of His witness. Anyone who honestly wants to know God’s will is a treasured soul. He will discern the truth from lies.

Anyone who honestly chooses to hear God’s will in His word and believes it to follow it will know the truth. God will not lead them astray. It’s settled in the soul.

Spiritual Understanding Real

You see, our spiritual understanding does not come from gathering facts or gaining a degree in Biblical studies. It depends on will – do we choose to know the truth? It also depends on obedience.

Choosing to know the truth and follow it brings discernment to distinguish between falsehood and truth.

There is so much truth in Chapter 7 that we could spend hours discussing it. Yet, there’s one thing we need to take away from what’s happening here:

Let the crowds be fickle, the leaders hate, and the authorities try to brainwash. Let’s take this lesson from Jesus: God’s word will not be silenced.

When God’s word is breathed in the willing soul, it is received with gladness and joy.

It’s the truth. The whole truth. Nothing but the truth.

Call to Action:

How do you approach Scripture?

• Do you read it to gain information or how-to, or are you seeking the voice of God?
• Are you cutting out only the verses that apply to you or seeking the whole truth?
• Do you rush in to skim, or do you prayerfully approach the Word as you would the Holy?
• Do you read God’s Word with a will to know God’s will?

Ask the Lord to lead you to know God’s word and know the God of His Word.

If these words have helped you, please leave a comment below to encourage others. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

May the Lord bless and keep you until we meet again.