In the Middle of the Feast: Debate (John 7:11–36) - Part 2 of 2

Satan offered Adam and Eve knowledge, but it was knowledge that came from not following God's rules (Gen. 3:5). Jesus said that obedience would lead to knowledge: first, the burden of responsibility, and then the joy of knowing God's truth. When men are completely and fully dedicated to God's will and want to do that above all else, they learn that Christ's teachings are divine and come from God.

If we truly desire God's will, we shall not concern ourselves with who receives the glory. God is the only one who deserves the glory for what He has taught us. No one can take credit for what only God can do. If man goes after the glory, it shows that his teaching comes from himself and not from God. This is how many cults and church splits start: someone "makes up" a doctrine, takes credit for it, and uses it to split God's people.

The first "debate" was with the Jews, but people who arrived in the city joined in (John 7:20). Jesus had the courage to say that the leaders wanted to kill Him because He broke the Sabbath and then said He was God (see John 5:10–18). The orthodox Jews broke the Sabbath laws when they circumcised their sons on that day. So why couldn't He heal a man on the Sabbath? "Why are you trying to kill me?"

Of course, the visitors didn't know that their leaders wanted to kill Jesus, so they questioned what He said. But their answer included a very serious accusation: that Jesus had a demon. The leaders had already made this claim (Matt. 9:32ff.; 10:25; 11:18–19; 12:24ff.). "You must be crazy to think that anyone wants to kill You!"

The Lord used the law of Moses to prove the enemy wrong, but He knew they wouldn't give up. Why? Because their standard of judgment was not fair. They made judgments based on a shallow look at the facts. They made their decision based on what "seems" and not what "is." Sadly, many people still make that mistake. In John 7:24, Jesus told people to be honest and devoted to the truth.

People from Jerusalem joined in the conversation (John 7:25). They knew the rulers wanted to kill Jesus, and they were shocked that He was openly teaching and getting away with it. Maybe the leaders were sure that He was the Messiah, sent by God. So why weren't they worshiping Him and getting others to worship Him?
Their question (John 7:25) hinted at a negative answer.
Answer: "No, the rulers don't think He is the Christ, do they?" They were able to back up their conclusion with their false logic:
1. No one knows where Christ came from.
2. We know where Jesus of Nazareth came from.
3. The end: Jesus can't be the Messiah.

People could not see the truth again because they were blinded by what they thought were reliable facts. Jesus faced similar opposition in the synagogue at Capernaum (John 6:42ff.). Even the most knowledgeable teachers—the "expert builders"—wouldn't be able to find the Chief Cornerstone, even though they had been studying the God-given "blueprints" for hundreds of years (Acts 4:11)!

At this point, our Lord spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear (see also John 7:37). He was likely speaking in a sarcastic tone when he said, "Yes, you think you know Me and where I came from!" However, they genuinely did not. Subsequently, He explained why they failed to understand Him: they did not know the Father. This accusation was a serious charge to make against an orthodox Jew because the Jews were proud of knowing the true God, the God of Israel.

But Jesus did even more. He boldly said that He not only knew the Father but also that the Father had sent Him. He was once more saying that He was God! He wasn't just born like any other person; the Father sent Him to earth. This means that He was alive before He came to earth.

There was definitely a crisis hour in His ministry, and some of the leaders tried to have Him arrested, but "His hour was not yet come." A lot of the pilgrims believed in Him. It was a faith based on miracles, but at least it was a start (see John 2:23; 6:2, 26). Nicodemus was first drawn to Jesus because of the miracles He performed (John 3:1–2). Later, he openly declared his faith in Christ.

The Pharisees and chief priests, who were in charge of the Jewish religious establishment, didn't like that people were putting their faith in Jesus. It appears that these "believers" were not afraid to say what they had done (John 7:13, 32). This time, the rulers sent temple guards to arrest Jesus, but Jesus "arrested" them! He told them they only had "a little while" to hear the truth, believe it, and be saved (see John 12:35ff.). Those who wanted to arrest Jesus were truly the ones in danger!
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People didn't understand what Jesus was saying, just like in other messages. In six months, Jesus would return to the Father in heaven, and the Jews who were not saved would not be able to follow Him. "Where I am, there ye cannot come" (John 7:34) is very different from "that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:3).

If these men had been willing to do what God wanted, they would have known the truth. It would soon be too late.