Title: Those Who Rejected Jesus (John 7:25)
Title: Those who rejected Jesus / John 7:25-
The rejection of Jesus Christ is now taking on an organized appearance. This is not a conclusion that we grasp, investigate, and draw concretely, as is often the case with crowd psychology in our society, but rather a form of acting according to the thoughts that arise in the moment.
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was made by these ignorant people and the Jewish religious leaders, the Pharisees, scribes, and priests, who wanted to maintain their religious privileges.
Let's think about this time in detail.
1. The ignorance and rejection of the Jewish inhabitants
The inhabitants of Jerusalem here, although not religious leaders, were proud to live in Jerusalem, the capital of Judea. Therefore, they knew the thoughts of the Jewish religious leaders and the atmosphere of Judea better than the crowds from other regions.
Also, they knew relatively little about the events that made the issue at the time. However, it is necessary to think deeply about the fact that their culture was not connected with the acceptance of the truth.
1) 7:25 Some of the people of Jerusalem said, "Is not this the man they want to kill?"
Unlike the crowd in 7:20, the inhabitants of Jerusalem knew the thoughts of the religious leaders. They probably also knew why they wanted to kill Jesus.
But their problem was the lack of deep exploration and awareness of the truth hidden under the name of culture.
2) Verse 26, behold, they speak plainly, they say nothing.
Did the authorities know this man was truly a Christian?
If you look at their story, why do the authorities stand still when Jesus Christ openly teaches himself at the feast in Jerusalem? Do you really know this Jesus as the Christ?
This is not to say that they have the idea that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. You can see that below.
3) Verse 27 But we know where this man came from; when Christ comes
No one will know where you are coming from.
① The inhabitants of this Jerusalem are first claiming that they know about Jesus Christ. In other words, we know that Jesus was a Galilean, the son of Joseph the carpenter, who had never been formally trained by a religious leader in Jerusalem.
②These inhabitants of Jerusalem are also giving evidence of their knowledge of the Bible.
“When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is coming from.” This is a quotation from Malachi 3:1.
Mal 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he will make the way before me, says the LORD of hosts, and the Lord you seek will come suddenly before him, and the messenger of the covenant you long for will come.
By relying on these words, they are claiming to know that the Messiah will appear suddenly like an angel. However, their knowledge was very limited.
Micah 5:2 Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are of ancient times.
He did not know that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and about Jesus Christ, although he grew up in Nazareth, the birth was clearly Bethlehem, and if It wouldn't have been too difficult to find out.
But for them, their judgments and grounds were not ready to accept the truth. Even these days, there are people who are educated and have some learning and knowledge are obstacles to believing in Jesus Christ. Such people should listen to the confession of the Apostle Paul.
Philippians 3:8 And I counted all things as loss because of the nobleness of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, that I lost all things for him and counted them as excrement, that I gained Christ.
2. Jesus' Response to the Residents of Jerusalem
1) Jesus was teaching in the temple and cried out,
Jesus is speaking out loud to the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the temple. In the Bible, Jesus cried out only 4 times, and 2 of them were shouts at the time of His death on the cross (Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:38). Therefore, we can guess the frustration of Jesus in the text.
The culture and intellectual pride of the inhabitants of Jerusalem prevented accurate knowledge of Jesus Christ, and imperfect knowledge of the Bible prevented them from recognizing the true Messiah.
Therefore, Jesus was even more frustrated with them.
2) You know me, and you know where I come from.
When Jesus approached those who had such pride, He removed the resistance of the people of Jerusalem by first acknowledging their knowledge. This shows that Jesus knew people too well in his conversations with them.
Today, we often block the door of dialogue by asserting only our own knowledge and legitimacy. However, the Lord is opening the door to this dialogue and at the same time clearly demonstrating his claim.
3) I did not come on my own; he who sent me is true; you do not know him.
If you don't know where the Messiah came from, but I know I'm a Nazarene, so it's definitely not the Messiah, I tell you, I didn't come on my own, I was sent. You are saying this because you do not know about God, who sent me, the Lord is saying.
4) I know that I am of him
He said he sent me
You do not know God, but I do.
These words must have been very offensive to the people of Jerusalem. Still, to those who live in Jerusalem and think that they have some knowledge and culture in religion, the Lord is
[You do not know God, I know God. I am from God,
He is the Messiah].
3. The wrath of the inhabitants of Jerusalem
1) We want to seize Jesus
They became enraged when they heard the sound of tarnishing their culture.
Therefore, they tried to execute Jesus Christ in the name of the crowd, in anonymity.
One of the greatest mistakes of a learned person is that it is difficult to admit one's mistakes. They are trying to rationalize themselves, rather to bury those who claim the truth.
Rather than falling into such foolishness, we need a serious image of always introspecting ourselves.
2) No one touched him, for his hour had not yet come.
Jesus Christ was not dealt with because his [time] had not yet come. After only six months, the Lord will bear the cross, but not yet.
3) Many in the crowd believed in Jesus and said, “If the Christ comes, will he do more signs than this man did?”
Rather, although they have not come to the faith that leads to salvation, there have been many who have acknowledged the signs of Jesus Christ. Although this has a positive aspect, we can see that it is very difficult to attain true faith when we see that it is not faith that leads to salvation.
*** Faith or Trust ***
**** conclusion ****
1. Let's not forget the limitations of human knowledge.
2. Empty bowls can hold food.
3. Faith in Jesus Christ is not acknowledging Jesus Christ, but trusting Him.