John 7, Who is this Man?

Our passage presents a vivid picture of diverse opinions regarding who Jesus was.

The occasion is the Feast of Tabernacles, a festive and jubilant time for the Jews, who celebrated God’s providential care for their forefathers who wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. The reactions of various people to Jesus can be summarized in three words, as suggested by Warren Wiersbe: Disbelief. Debate. Division.

#1 Disbelief

Most people know that the Jewish religious leaders did not believe Jesus was the Messiah. But John 7:1-5 offers this shocking revelation. Even Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in Him. Mary and Joseph had other children after Jesus was born. His half-brothers, who lived with Him, witnessed the uniqueness of His life and knew of His miracles, yet still did not believe. That seems incredible. Almost impossible.

It reminds us that not everyone will believe in Jesus. Not even our own family, who have seen the difference He makes in our lives. Some children reject the godly teaching of their parents and even turn to a life of debauchery. While it’s heartbreaking, it’s the reality of human nature and personal choice.

If Jesus’ own brothers did not believe, not all of our loved ones will think and come to Christ.

#2 Debate

The chapter continues with public speculation, disagreement, and varying opinions about Jesus. “He’s a good man,” some said. “No, He deceives the people,” countered others. “He has a demon,” charged a few. “How does He have such a deep understanding and knowledge?” others wondered since Jesus didn’t attend their schools.

The debate continued not only about His person and character, but also about His doctrine. Jesus affirmed, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” In other words, it’s Divine, from God the Father.

It should not surprise us that people today continue to debate who Jesus was and disagree with His teaching, His call to moral purity, and the exclusivity of being His disciple. Our evangelistic efforts will not always produce Believers. If Jesus Christ Himself couldn’t convince everyone, neither can we.

#Division

Not surprisingly, the wide range of opinions about Jesus led John to make this observation. “So, there was a division among the people because of Him” (v. 43).

Critics question Christianity because of disagreement and division among religious groups. This is nothing new. It occurred in Jesus’ day. In fact, Jesus predicted it.

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’

Religious division is not an indictment of Christ or Christianity; it’s an indictment of people who fail to carefully look at the evidence and honestly consider the teaching of Scripture.

Sadly, so many in our world today want to celebrate Jesus as a good man, great teacher, and moral reformer, but not the Messiah. They hail His works, but reject His doctrinal message. They see Him historically as a great man, but not God. Such nonsense brings to mind C. S. Lewis’s statement in Mere Christianity.

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say.

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell.

You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse.

You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon, or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.

What’s your choice? Will you accept, believe, and obey Jesus? Will you follow Him and conform your life to His?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman