How Do You Respond To The Saviour?

<John 7:1-5>

1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works 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.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

* Jesus’ brothers lived in unbelief toward Him.

* Their view of Jesus was full of carnality.  

<John 7:6-13>

6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.

10 However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”

12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.”

Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” 13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

* Different groups of people react to Jesus differently in their unbelief.

* <Jn 1:11>: He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

* Ultimate Conclusion: There is nothing more in this life than our knowledge and response to this Man, Jesus.

Consider our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

1) Consider Jesus’ loneliness

* His knowledge of Himself sets Him on a lonely life.

* He was often misunderstood.

* He lives among men with only human intent.

* <Jn 7:53 – 8:1> Then they all went home, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives (to pray).

* <Lk 9:58> Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

* <Mk 14:34>: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

* <Jn 16:32>: “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

2) Consider Jesus’ wisdom

* There was wisdom in not appearing boldly in Jerusalem.

* Wisdom in Him tells him not to invite unnecessary trouble.

* Be careful of taking people’s unwise advice and opinion.

3) Consider Jesus’ humility

* Jesus wasn’t after popularity.  

* <Jn 6:15>: Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

4) Consider Jesus’ obedience

* Jesus was not selective in obeying God.

* <Jn 6:38>: For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

* <Lk 22:42> … Not my will but your will be done.

5) Consider Jesus’ quiet confidence

* <Isa 28:16> “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste” <KJV>.

* Jesus was not anxious. He knows the time designated by the Father.

* Yet, quiet confidence is not shrinking, but to act boldly at the right time.

Why did Jesus went through all these adversities?

* To save His people.

* To show His amazing love amidst a sinful world. 

The people’s reaction to Him

* <v11-13>: 11 Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” 12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” 13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

* <1 Cor 1:22-23> says: 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.

* There were much muttering and discussion about Jesus, but none believe in Him.

* There are spiritual blindness among the people.

* Likewise, many speaks about Christianity in a humanly way today.

How should we respond to Jesus today?

1) We have to be born again (Repentance before God).

2) Emulate Jesus humbleness and lowliness.

* <James 4:6> For the Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble”.