Jesus was persecuted for the sake of righteousness

John 7:1-13

Jesus Goes to the Feast of Tabernacles

1After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. 2But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, 3Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. 4No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." 5For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
6Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. 7The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. 8You go to the Feast. I am not yet[a] going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come." 9Having said this, he stayed in Galilee.
10However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, "Where is that man?"
12Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man." Others replied, "No, he deceives the people." 13But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.


I. Message:

Content:
 


1>（v1） Jesus knew that the Jews wanted to take His life, so He did not to go to Judea. He went around in Galilee.
2>（v2-5）Being worldly, Jesus’ brothers sarcastically urged him to go public in order to show off his power.
3>（v6-9）Jesus insisted that His time has not yet come. Therefore, for the time being, He would not go to Judea. 

4>（v10）Later on, Jesus went secretly to the feast. 
5>（v11-13）The crowd looked for Jesus and whispered about Him in private.

Themes:


1>The right time had not yet come. 

2>Jesus was persecuted for the sake of righteousness. 

3>Jesus was alone. 




II. Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? Who is Holy Spirit?
 


1>（v1）Jesus Christ was soon to be crucified. 

2>（v3-4）Jesus was mocked by his own brothers.

3>（v5）Jesus’ brothers did not believe him. 

4>（v7）Jesus was hated by the world. 

5>（v7）Jesus abhors sin. 

6>（v7）Jesus spoke for righteousness. 

7>（v5、v8）Jesus submitted to God’s timing. 

8>（v12）Jesus provoked dispute. 




III. What is God teaching me (command, promise, model, rebuke, warning)?

1.Jesus was alone.

 Jesus did not steal, rob, deceive nor did he cheat. He went about healing people, driving out demons and preaching the gospel. He cared for people and showed sympathy to them. Technically, He was supposed to be respected by people; but instead, He faced Jewish leaders who wanted to take his life, He was mocked by His own brothers; people hated Him and talked about Him in secret. 


a.The Jewish leaders planned to kill him: 1After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. (v1)

b. Mocked by His own brothers: 3 Jesus' brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do.4 No-one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” (v3-4)

c. Hated by the world: 7“The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.” (v7) 

 d. The crowd whispered about Him in secret: 11 Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, “Where is that man?” 12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” (v11-12)


The circumstances above indicated that some intended to kill Him because their positions were threatened and some mocked Him out of disbelief; some hated Him because He pointed out their evil doings. Some held prejudice against Him out of the influence of others and said that he was a deceiver. Thus, we could imagine that Jesus must have been very lonely.


The situation that Jesus was facing indicates that the Light has come to the world (the darkness) and the world (the darkness) does not accept Him. 


Reflection: In a society which is full of darkness that perverts rights-and –wrongs and misplaces its values, where do I stand? Do I follow the bad examples of others, get used to it and not care about it? Or do I let the light of Jesus’ righteousness shine through me? Am I persecuted for the sake of righteousness like Jesus was? Do I have a profound sense of loneliness like Jesus did? 




2. Not for personal fame

3 Jesus' brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do.4 No-one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” (v3-4)

It was merely human for Jesus’ brothers to say such words. It does not surprise us, because it is human nature. Most people constantly look for opportunities to become famous and to promote themselves. They are absorbed in the pursuit of fame and social status. However, Jesus did not fall into the temptation of fame. He faithfully did what God entrusted Him to do and completed His mission. This is the attitude that whoever serves God should have. 



Reflection: Do I eagerly pursue fame and status while serving in the church? Or do I follow Jesus’ example to diligently and faithfully serve God in the position He puts me and not to pursue fame?


3. Submit to God’s plan 


Out of disbelief, Jesus' brothers sarcastically said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do.4 No-one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” (v3-4) 


6 Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right.” 8 You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come. (v6,8) 


We notice that in their conversation Jesus mentioned twice that the right time had not yet come. He emphasized that it was not His time yet. In fact, the timing that Jesus referred to was God’s timing and it was according to God’s plan.

Since that Jesus was sent by God, His life had already been planned out by God and His time was set by God. Evidently, Jesus was submissive to God in His every move and time.



Reflection: God has perfect plans for everyone’s life, do I seek for it? Do I have a clear understanding of it? Am I submissive to it? 


IV. Prayer/ Life Application




Translated by 曾秀娟