John 7:14-18 - Lesson #75

Jesus went to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem in a manner which would not attract attention. The opposition against Him had grown and the beliefs of those at the feast had become greatly divided; "However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews" (John 7:13).

John 7:14-18
"Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, 'How does this Man know letters, having never studied?' Jesus answered them and said, 'My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.'"

Though the time was not right for a grand entrance into Jerusalem, the time was always right to teach. Jesus would continue His teaching ministry right up until the end of His time on earth, and the outer court of the temple was a natural place for a Rabbi to present His message.

As Jesus taught, the Jews marveled that He knew the scripture so well, having never attended an official rabbinical school; "He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Matthew 7:28-29). Even as a young boy talking with the teachers in the temple, Jesus knew the word of God; "And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding" (Luke 2:47). But those who have come to believe in Jesus are no longer astonished, for we understand Him to be the entire truth, the very Word of God; "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).

When Jesus taught from the scripture, He showed how the writings of what we now call the Old Testament pointed to Him as the coming King; "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me" (Luke 24:44). Jesus did not claim this as His own interpretation of scripture but as the message given for Him to deliver by God.

Jesus was the promised King who would set His people free, but He also came to announce the character of God: "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (John 1:18). The announcement of God's character was a call to repentance in preparation of true freedom, and this "doctrine" is seen as teaching from God only as someone "wills to do His will."

Let's seek a greater understanding by being diligent to follow and glorify His name in all we do. His will is the way of truth and His word is the lamp which lights our path. Let's continue to study and follow His word, and then prayerfully begin to better understand and appreciate the absolute truth of His everlasting word.