Monday | Week 6
At the time of the events in John, chapter 7, some time has passed since the miracle of the loaves, and the Jewish Feast of the Tabernacles was near. People would be flocking to Jerusalem for this annual spiritual rite. Tents would be set up around the city to commemorate Israel’s sojourn in the wilderness. The great early church theologian, Augustine, believed that this event ties into the Christian future because this was to signify the day when the saints (Christian believers) would be in the heavenly Jerusalem, pitching their tabernacles (their bodies), which are only temporary dwellings, until the day that they receive their eternal ones. Who knows if this 1700 year-old interpretation is exactly the right one, but it clearly takes us into the eternal dimension of the work of God in this world and the next.
Jesus is traveling into Jerusalem with his brothers, all of whom still lacked faith in him as the Christ. There is a clear hint in the text that they did want to share in the spotlight Jesus would receive when he arrived and taught. Again, along with Augustine (my favorite ancient writer!), it seems Jesus really did not want the attention he was receiving. It simply wasn’t time yet for the full reveal to happen. That day would come in both grandeur and great pain, for our Lord would know both glory and humility in his earthly life. Humility even unto death awaited Jesus, but it would not come until the next Passover when he would enter Jerusalem to loud hosannas, only to die with the crowds disowning any knowledge of him.
In verses 37-38, there is a peak moment in the account. On the festival’s last day, Jesus cried out: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.” Some in the crowd believed Jesus was the Messiah. Others scoffed that the Messiah could never come from an insignificant area like the Galilee. History would prove those people wrong.
Discussion Questions
Why do you think Jesus didn’t yet want the spotlight?
Why did it matter where Jesus came from?