In our study of John, we're in John 7, and we're in a section right in the middle of John, of a few chapters where John records Jesus publicly defending and explaining his identity and mission. And because these are very, very important chapters loaded with gospel content, Jesus' zeal to identify who he is and why he came, creates controversy and divides the crowd as it does today. And the verses we're going to look at really consider, focus on, the question of questions. Let me read John 7:25-31.
Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, "Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from." So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, "You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me." So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, "When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?"
The crowd is sort of surprised at the courage of Jesus, even though Jewish leaders are seeking to kill him. He is still publicly preaching and teaching and declaring who he is. Well, Jesus did that because he knew the plan of God. He knew that his time to die had not yet come. And in this passage, we do consider the question of questions. I think a lot of the time that insightful people are not the people first with the right answers, but people who ask the right questions because you don't get to the right answers unless you ask the right questions.
Now, let me set up the situation in which Jesus answers this question of questions. Jesus has left Galilee to go up to Jerusalem during the celebration of the Feast of Booths. That was a celebration that remembered God's faithfulness through the wilderness journey, and people would build these little huts to dwell in. And in this very important spiritual celebration, Jesus gets up in the temple and begins teaching. People wonder where he got his education and where he gets his authority.
And he's speaking to the criticism of healing that man on the Sabbath that we've talked about before. And this moment, the question of questions is asked, "Can this be the Christ? Is this the promised Messiah?" And there really is no more important question that you could ever ask because your answer to this question will determine not just the nature of your life right here, right now, but your eternal destiny. This question, "Is this the Christ?" is really a matter of life and death, heaven and hell.
And notice, there are two answers in this group. One group says, "There's physical evidence that this could not be the Messiah. We know where he's from; he's just a delusional guy from Nazareth." But there were many others who believed on him based on his words and work. And so, I would ask you, "Will you take Jesus at his word today, not just for your salvation, but for everything in your life? Will you entrust your marriage to him? Will you entrust your children to him, your friends, your finances, your inner peace and hope, your courage to live in this fallen world? Will Jesus be the reason you do and say what you do?"
Every day, in many ways, you'll answer this question over and over again, resting in his existence and grace or denying his existence and taking your life into your own hands. Well, there's grace for you so that you would answer this question, "Yes, this is the Messiah, and I offer my life to him!"
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. When you think about your average day, are your large decisions a reflection of the fact that you take Jesus at his word? What about your smaller moment to moment decisions? Think about how you're answering this question over and over again and take a moment to pray. Ask God to give you the grace to live for him and trust Jesus at his word in all of your large and small decisions each day.
2. When you read and hear about this story from John 7, how is it comforting to you that Jesus knew that his time to die had not yet come? How does Jesus knowing the plan of God translate to your trust of him in the here and now of your life?
3. When Jesus said, "I know him [God the Father], for I come from him, and he sent me," what is your initial gut response to his words? How might it be comforting to you to remind yourself of Jesus' divinity? His humanity? His authority?
4. How have you seen good questions lead to satisfying answers in your life or in the lives of others close to you? What kinds of good questions can you be in the habit of asking when it comes to Christ, his ways, and his good plan for your life?
Conversation Prompts to Use with Children
For Younger Children:
• What makes someone worthy of your trust? How can you know that it's safe to trust someone?
• What do you think makes Jesus trustworthy even though we can't see, touch, or physically be around him?
• How have you seen me succeed or fail at trusting Jesus? How can I help you to trust Jesus more each day?
For Older Children:
• How can you tell if someone is trustworthy or not? How have you been hurt by someone who you thought was trustworthy but they ended up being the opposite?
• Can you tell me about a time when you trusted someone and you felt comforted by placing your trust in him or her?
• What do you think makes Jesus a trustworthy person? Is it difficult to trust someone you can't see, touch, or physically be around?
• How have you seen me succeed or fail at trusting Jesus? How can I help you to trust Jesus more each day?
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