VERIFYING THE CLAIMS OF CHRIST

 

John 7:14-24

 

Jesus’ testifying words shocked the community of the religious world

when He claimed He was, and is, equal with God.

 

For the Jewish nation this was blasphemy; this was a serious crime in the law God gave to Moses. The Israelites were to worship and obey God, anything outside of this was the sentence of death, to be stoned to death found in Lev 24:10-16. It’s the Feast of Booths and once again Jesus is faced with their hatred and claims that is blaspheming God. No man’s credentials were ever more severely challenged by the established academic community than Jesus of Nazareth.

 

Jesus claimed……

 

He claimed He came down from Heaven. John 3:13

He claimed He was sent into the world by the Father. Mark 9:37

He claimed He was the Saviour of the those who are His. John 3:17

He claimed He is the Determiner of people’s eternal destinies. Matt 16:27

He claimed He is the only way to God, the only way to eternal life in Heaven. John 14:6

He claimed He is to honoured and equal with the Father. John 5:23

He claimed He is One with the Father. John 10:30

He claimed He has the power to raise the dead. John 5:28-29

He claimed He is the One the Old Testament points the people too. John 5:39

He claimed He is the supreme Judge who will judge the living and the dead in the end. Matt 16:27

He claimed He is the only one without sin. 2 Cor 5:21

He claimed He has the authority to forgive sin. Matt 9:6

He claimed He is the authority over the Sabbath. Matt 12:8

He claimed He has the authority to answer prayer. John 14:13-14

He claimed He has the authority to authorize prayer in His Name. John 15:16

He claimed He is greater than the temple. Matt 12:6

He claimed He is the only source of spiritual nourishment. John 6:33-35

He claimed He is the Light of the world. John 3:19

He claimed He is the Resurrection and the Life. John 11:25

He claimed He is the Messiah. Matt 16:20

 

He claimed that He is the Son of God, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matt 11:25-27

See, He is either deranged, a madman, the great deceiver Himself, or exactly who He claimed to be. I say that, because its impossible for Him to be a Good Teacher and be deranged, a madman, or a deceiver. As the rich young man sought Jesus and asked. “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 18:18. Nicodemus comes to Jesus and we read, “This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” John 3:2

 

Sadly, as few only saw Him as a good teacher. Many didn’t! Jesus’ claims polarized those who heard them, and we know according to Scripture a majority rejected His claims. “He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” John 1:10-11

 

To His Jewish opponents He confronted their unbelief to what Jesus’ testified to by using the Words of God to expose their false beliefs. “You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” John 5:33-40

 

The claims of Christ are evident here as the Jewish leaders

became angrier with Him. What made them want to kill Him?

 

HIS TEACHING (v14-v15)

 

We always need to understand that His words will be sought honesty by those who honestly seek Him. But they refused to rest, and belief in Him; but yet they were amazed by His teaching and understanding of Scripture. They marvelled, but refused to listen to the truth, because it went against what they held to be true, the words of men, and not of God. As John would later write, “for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” John 12:43. Jesus “began teaching” which was very common for Rabbis to do during festivals, and in the Temple. This is where Rabbis would validate/affirm themselves with other Rabbis, because they all had the same motive, and teachings, to promote self and get the praises from men.

 

What Jesus taught was drastically different as we see how many responded even after the Sermon on The Mount. “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” 

Matt 7:28-29

 

What Jesus spoke about was beyond what they have ever heard. Understanding about God, redemption, and eternal life. Remember Jesus was the Greatest Evangelist, He went everywhere proclaiming the gospel and expounding Scripture pointing people to the grace of God. So how do they deal with this Man who is teaching in the Temple area? They attack His lack of education and training. They speak and say “This man” which could be better translated “This nobody” they don’t even want to mention His name because they hate Him so much. This nobody who claims to be a truth-teller. Where did this man get His training because He surely didn’t get it here amongst us. What is really sad, is that this is coming from the people of His home town, He didn’t learn it from us they say. But yet they marveled, yet didn’t believe what He said. Why? His words are from the Father, and the they will be sought honesty by those who honestly seek Him.  These men had no intention to hear the words of life from this man.

This is evident as we read Proverb 1:20-23. “Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.”

 

That is true for those who believe, but because these men, and many today, refuse to listen to the words of eternal life the Proverb concludes this. “Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” Prov 1:24-33

 

How does Jesus respond to their attacking

words and accusations?

 

HIS SELFLESSNESS (v16-18)

 

See, the false teacher will always seek, and speak, to enhance himself with those who will listen to them. As Jesus confronts the pharisees unbelief, “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” John 5:24. False teachers will always fleece the sheep as we will see in John chapter 10. The reformer Martin Luther said, “The most damnable and pernicious heresy that has ever plagued the mind of man was the idea that somehow, he could make himself good enough to deserve to live with an all-holy God. False teachers, like these men will always seek their own glory, but Christ Jesus, does the complete opposite. Jesus responds to their outlandish claims that “He sought the glory of God” with every word He speaks. (v18) Instead of Jesus, seeking the honor of men, He sought to give all glory to God the Father. In His humility, and selflessness, Jesus always spoke the truth from Heaven, He always quoted the Father.

 

Jesus says this in His high priestly prayer, “For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.” John 17:8

 

The words that proceed out the mouth of Christ, where always spoken for sinner to find eternal life, for those who are born again. This is the divine source of Jesus teaching and the only teaching that leads to eternal life with the Father. This is where He was educated, equal with the Father, and the Spirit, who came down from heavenly places to reveal the love of God through the Son.

Yet they marvelled but wanted to kill Him. Why? He claimed that….

He knows the mind of God verbally.

He knows the words of God.

He knows the things of God.

He knows the sayings of God.

He knows the perfect will of God.

 

(v17) This is why Jesus says, “I know the will of my Father.” “I do the will of my Father.” “I speak the will of my Father.” And if that wasn’t enough to validate His authority as equal with the Father, He also knows what is in man. “But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” John 2:24-25. Jesus tells them that His teaching is not His own, it comes from the Father.

 

What Jesus is saying here is that……

I’m not teaching my own opinion

I didn’t make this up on my own.

I am the ultimate truth teller

 

This was a humble, but direct response to the Rabbis, which would have implied that the Rabbis teaching came from Rabbis, and not from God. This is why we read in this gospel letter that Jesus said, “I tell you what the Father said.” Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” John 5:19. What does the Father say to these men, the teachers of that age and this age. “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” John 5:39-47. Every word that came out Jesus’ mouth was from the Father, and the religious leaders and zealots for power and glory hated this. What does Jesus do? He judges them righteously

 

HIS RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT (v19-v20)

 

Jesus exposes their motives, and hearts, with the correct understanding of the Law of Moses. The Lord Jesus, sentences them with one question, “Why do you seek to kill me?” Moses gave us the Ten Commandments and yet you seek to kill me; which violates the sixth commandment. And to make no mistakes in interpreting of this commandment, Jesus puts this law under the microscope to help us see it more clearly, that murder goes beyond the physical act. What does Jesus reveal about this law more deeply? “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matt 5:21-22

 

What Jesus condemns here is anger without a cause; that is, unjustly, rashly, hastily, where no offence has been given or intended. In that case it is evil; and it is a violation of the sixth commandment. This is why John pens this later in his first epistle. “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:13

This would have cut them to core, because they prided

themselves on being disciples of Moses teaching.

 

This evident when they confronted the blind man who could now see. “And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.” John 9:28. Jesus said in John 5:45, “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. So, Jesus reveals their hearts are under judgement because He says, “Yet none of you keeps the law.” (v19) This truth convicts all people, none of God’s created children are exempt from this curse. See the intent of the Law was never to save, it was meant to put fear into the hearts of God’s creation. The Law was to point us to God the Father, seeking Him for forgiveness and clemency over our grievous sins of breaking the Law of God. Why? None of us can keep the Law, and that means all are condemned to eternal damnation.

 

Remember what Paul wrote in the Book of Romans? “as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” 

Rom 3:10-20

 

The Law condemns, its here, where we truly cry out to

God, because grace is the only means of saving you.

 

The Law points us to our sin, and Christ is the end of the Law that points us to salvation and eternal life. This is why what Paul writes to the church of Galatia is powerful. “Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” Gal 3:21-24

 

This is why The Christ is our only way to eternal life, through the sinless, spotless, Lamb of God who took the curse upon Himself for our treasonous sins. “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”. Gal 3:10-13

 

What Jesus said, disrupted their good thing; and they wouldn’t have any of that, but yet Jesus stands His ground and reveals their judgement that is to come. They hated what He is saying, so they claim this about Jesus, “You have a demon” This outlandish claim affirms and reveals their sinful and graceless hearts. They resent His claims, and they try to justify their hatred with saying He has a demon. What they’re really saying is, “You must be out of your mind. You must be demon-possessed. This is the deceptions of our own hearts when confronted with Biblical truth that goes against our sinful hearts and motives. We try to deny our true intentions by saying, “Were not trying to kill you, a demon is inside of you is trying to kill you Jesus. Your crazy! (v20) So, Jesus turns the tables by responding to their lies and outlandish claims by demonstrating  that He is walking in perfect harmony with Law of Moses.

  

HIS WORKS AND AUTHORITY (v21-v24)

 

The miracles in itself are enough to validate Jesus’ deity or sufficient proof. But He adds something to affirm His divinity and that is He reminds them about Moses. You judge me for doing one miracle on the Sabbath and you marvel at the outcome,

but yet you want to kill me. You question my credentials while you hide behind the law of Moses. You tell me that you are students and disciples of Moses, so Jesus asks them this question.

 

Where did circumcision come from? Because it didn’t come from Moses, this came through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (v22) Moses didn’t invent circumcision, so what would you do if circumcision fell on the Sabbath? As in the case of an infant boy to be circumcised on the eighth day. Lev 12:3; you would still perform and allow this to happen on the Sabbath. This was required to happen because the law of Moses allowed for it. And if in that case the law of Moses required that the sign of a person’s wellness be given on the Sabbath day, how can you object to what I did with the lame man by the pool. Jesus used their logic to bring about what He did, was not in violation of Moses Law, because the wellness of one person was in need. (v23-v24)

This confrontation almost makes Jesus say, “Do you want to give Me a doctoral examination in Theology? Give Me the test, I will take it.  Why? I know the Father, and not just from a distance. (v29) I’m from Him, He sent Me to you. You judge, and you judge not from a theological discernment, but from an immoral and wicked heart. You judge from a corrupt and self-righteous heart that God truly hates, so abandon your man-centered thinking and listen to what I testify to….because it produces eternal life, its effectual and its from the Father. There will always be people who will never reason from the Scriptures, they think that God’s word is insufficient and they need to add their two cents worth. Jesus concludes by telling them to abandon their wrong thinking, but cautiously and carefully use the facts, the Scriptures, to examine the intent of man’s heart. Before you judge one another righteously according to the Scriptures.