READ: John 7:1–24: … Do not judge according to appearance …
The situation has become tense. Jesus no longer travels in Judea because the Jews are seeking to kill Him. He stays in Galilee. Jesus encounters much misunderstanding and unbelief—even among His own brothers (v.5).
They see His miracles (v.3), but they expect a different kind of Christ: an earthly king who will rise up for His people. Many admire Him, but do not accept Him as their Savior.
When His brothers urge Him to go to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus replies: “Go ahead—because for you, as part of the world (i.e., aligned with the Jewish people), there’s no danger. But they hate Me because I expose their evil deeds.”
The timing—His “hour”—to go to Jerusalem is determined by His Father, and no one else (v.6). After everyone has left, Jesus goes too, but in secret.
The crowd celebrates exuberantly, but Jesus only appears halfway through the feast. In the meantime, people are already looking for Him. Opinions are divided.
Jesus begins to teach in the temple—likely about the meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast, too, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Him. His teaching makes an impression on the Jewish leaders. But can He be trusted? How does He know the Scriptures without formal study? They try to discredit Him.
But Jesus sees through this: “My teaching is not Mine but comes from the One who sent Me” (v.16). What He says is not invented by Himself, but comes from above. If someone wants to obey the Father, they will recognize that what Jesus says is from God. Their rejection of Jesus and His teaching shows that they are actually rejecting God. This also becomes clear in how they treat the law—they do not keep it.
The crowd eventually sides with the Jewish leaders: “He has a demon” (v.20). But Jesus points to His miraculous healing on the Sabbath. They condemn it and even want to kill Him for it — despite the fact that this miracle aligns with God’s will. They judge superficially, by appearances (v.24).
If it was so hard to believe back then, what about now?
Sing: Ps. 12:1,5