We apologize for the audio recording issues this week. The notes below give a synopsis of the sermon.

The Chapter of Assessment.

We have been assessing who is the Messiah in the book of John. Where is he from and what is he like? In John 7:25-52, those observing Jesus had the same questions.

John tells us the point of this book is so we may know who the Messiah is -- that Jesus is the Messiah -- and that by knowing Him we will have life in His name (John 20:31). This was an outrageous claim from Jesus to the ears of his first hearers. In order to grasp the full meaning of Jesus’ statements, we need to understand the Feast of Tabernacles.

Surveying the Old Testament, we observe that the celebration of booths and the Feast of Tabernacles held significant acts of celebration that encapsulated rejoicing both in God’s care in the past and the future hope of the Messiah to come. Jesus uses this symbolism to make clear who He is and cut through the confusion.

Who the People Assume Jesus Is

There are four ideas floating around this passage about who Jesus is. The first idea is that Jesus can't be the Christ. In verse 27, the people say that Jesus can’t be the Christ because they know where is from.

The second idea is that He might be the Christ. Some of the people are thinking that Jesus might be the Christ because of the signs He performs and the things He says (verse 31).

The third idea, presented in verse 35, is that they don't know if He is the Christ or not because He is really confusing. They ask each other, where does this man intend to go where we can’t go?

The fourth idea is that all of the above is true. In verse 40, all three of the previous ideas were being accepted. Regardless of the view, everyone was wondering and asking about who Jesus was.

Who Jesus Says He Is

In verses 28-29, we see Jesus in the temple. Jesus is crying out, “You both know Me and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. I do know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.” Jesus claims He is sent by God and going to God. Then He continues in verses 37 and 38, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

The pouring of the water during the festival always pointed to the Messiah coming. Jesus directly makes an offer to anyone who is thirsty, inserting Himself into the celebrations. This statement was so clear that in verse 40 many said that He was the Prophet!

Who the Leaders Insist He Isn't

The religious leaders denied who Christ was. Every claim they made insisting that Jesus wasn’t the Christ only stood as proof against themselves (verses 48-51).

They said none of the Pharisees believed in Him, but that was wrong because Nicodemus stood among them. They said the crowd did not know the Law. But these leaders were supposed to be teaching them the Law, so they were not doing their job.

Lastly, they claimed that no prophet ever came out of Galilee. However, we know from history that Jonah and perhaps Nahum also came from Galilee.

Application Points

Seeing how the religious leaders handled their position, we as believers also need to be warned. With all of the knowledge the Pharisees had, they still denied Christ.

• No matter how much we have, knowledge does not save our soul. Jesus tells the most religious that they don't know Him. We also need to be wary and ask ourselves if we truly know Jesus. Are you walking in the faith? Test your faith.
• Jesus wants to and demands to insert Himself in your life as Lord. He is not just someone to think about on Sunday morning. He says He is the Bread of Life, but without Him you will be hungry. He says He is the Living Water, but without Him you will be thirsty. Do you consider Jesus to be just a nice man spreading love and kindness? Because He isn’t. He is either who He says He is or a madman. Bow your knee and submit your heart to Him today!

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore:

• Leviticus 23:33-44
• Nehemiah 8:13-18
• Zechariah 14:9, 16-19
• 1 Corinthians 10:1-6