Read John 7:1-52.

Introduction⤒🔗

Despite whatever circumstances you might encounter, you can put your confidence in Christ, because He is in charge. Margaret Hillis learned this truth in dramatic fashion.

It was January 15, 1941, and the invading Japanese army was only a few miles east of Shenkiu, the town in central China where missionaries Dick and Margaret Hillis were stationed. Margaret was alone in the mission compound, (the previous day her husband had become sick and had been taken to a hospital 115 miles away), when the colonel of the Chinese army arrived at her kitchen door.

The colonel announced that the Japanese were advancing towards the town and that his orders were to evacuate as quickly as possible. As he departed, the enormity of her danger suddenly overwhelmed Margaret: she was alone in a war-threatened Chinese town, totally responsible for the safety of her two infant children, one-year-old Johnny and two-month-old Margaret Anne. Determining that it would be fatal for the two infants to travel in such adverse conditions, Margaret resolved that she had no other choice but stay in the compound.

Margaret later admitted that up to that point in her life she had not yet experienced the full wonder of God’s sufficiency and power to guide and protect; the full wonder of the fact that Christ is in charge. It was now, in the midst of these “impossible” circumstances, that she would personally experience that wonder, as Christ would employ something as simple as a daily calendar hanging on the kitchen wall.

By mid-afternoon, the Chinese army had left. In the wake of their departure, the residents began their exodus from the town in panic; that night Margaret went to bed shaking with fear. Early the next morning, Margaret hurried to the kitchen to start the water boiling for Anne’s bottle. As usual, she reached up to the wall calendar and tore off yesterday’s date, the Scripture verse for the new day read: “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you” (Psl. 56:3). Margaret put her trust in Christ.

God’s promise recorded in Psalm 56:3 sustained her throughout that tense day. The city was now being evacuated rapidly; some of the Chinese Christians invited Margaret to accompany them, but for the sake of her two infant children, she refused: she knew that exposure to the January cold and to those primitive conditions meant certain death for them. Through that Scripture verse (Psalm 56:3), Christ sustained Margaret; she was not to panic, but to trust.

By mid-morning of the next day the town was nearly deserted. The gatekeeper of the mission compound urged Margaret to come with him. Margaret weighed the options: The deserted city would be an open invitation to bandits and robbers, what would she do without the protection of the gatekeeper? But to expose her infant children to the cold and the primitive conditions outside the compound would be certain death for them. She declined the offer and continued to put her trust in Christ as He instructed her from Psalm 56:3.

It was noon of the next day before Margaret remembered to pull the page off of the little daily calendar that hung on the kitchen wall; the Scripture for this new day read: “They who know your name will put their trust in you; for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you” (Psl. 9:10). As Margaret bowed her head over the noon meal, she thanked the LORD for that particular verse to sustain her at this moment. As she ate her meal she became aware of her next concern: more food. Fresh meat and produce were no longer coming to the town from the outlying farms, and all the shops in the town were boarded up. The goats that provided the babies’ milk were still in the compound; tomorrow she would have to try to milk them herself. Margaret slept uneasily that night, worrying about how she would feed her children; sure of very little except that she should stay in the town and trust Christ's promise that He would not forsake her.

The next morning, she was awakened by the sound of distant gunfire. She knew that she must milk the goats before the actual shelling of the town began. But before handling those goats, Margaret decided to fortify herself with a bowl of rice, and with the new day’s Scripture portion. She tore off the old page from the calendar and discovered Christ’s promise for this new day: “Now, therefore, do not be afraid; I will nourish you, and your little ones” (Gen. 50:21a).

Margaret was still eating her bowl of rice and pondering the day’s Scripture portion when a woman stepped into the kitchen carrying a pail of steaming goat’s milk. It was Margaret’s neighbor, Mrs. Lee; she explained that she had milked the goats for Margaret and since she herself had no family, she asked if she might stay with the missionary mother and her two little children. Late in the day, a loud rapping at the gate set the two women’s hearts pounding. It proved to be a frail countrywoman, coming to offer a live chicken and a basket of eggs. Christ had proven true to His Word; that night Margaret’s heart was full of hope, she prayed that somehow the LORD would spare the town of Shenkiu and the people she loved.

The next morning, Margaret rushed down to the little kitchen calendar and tore off yesterday’s page, the new page read: “My enemies shall turn back when I call for help. This I know, that God is for me” (Psl. 56:9). Was this too much to believe? Did Margaret dare to literally make this her prayer? As the gunfire drew closer, Margaret and Mrs. Lee began to prepare the house for invasion. By nightfall the gunfire resounded from both sides of the town; the women went to bed fully clothed, prepared at any moment to meet the Japanese invaders.

Margaret awoke abruptly in the early dawn. She was prepared to hear the crunch of military boots on the gravel, but there was nothing except a deep stillness. Cautiously, the two women, each carrying one of the children, made their way to the compound entrance. When they poked their heads outside they saw the streets beginning to fill, not with Japanese soldiers, but with townspeople returning from their country hiding places. Just then the Chinese colonel re-appeared; he informed Margaret that the Japanese had withdrawn. No, the Japanese army had not been defeated; nor could anyone explain the reason for their retreat; the enemy had simply turned back. Margaret stepped back into her kitchen, fixed her eyes on that little wall calendar, and lifted up a silent prayer of thanksgiving to the LORD who is in control.¹

How many times have we looked at the immediate circumstances surrounding our lives: marital problems, problems at work, concerns about the future, or our apparent lack of a future; all of them trying circumstances closing in around us like some torture chamber in a horror movie, trying circumstances pouring down upon us like a great Niagara Falls; and when confronted by those circumstances, how many times have we failed to appreciate the wonderful fact that Christ our Lord is in control?

Despite whatever circumstances we might encounter, we, as Christians, can put our confidence in Christ, because He is in charge. This is one of the great messages contained in John chapter seven.

Be Assured that Christ is in Charge; despite the Opposition against Him←⤒🔗

Verse one of chapter seven reports that following the conflict arising over the healing of the paralyzed man in Jerusalem on the Sabbath, (an event recorded in John 5), Jesus confined Himself to Galilee: “After this, Jesus stayed in Galilee; he would not stay in Judaea, because the Jews sought to kill him.”

Was Jesus afraid? Did He run for His life? Was He seeking a safe retreat in far off Galilee? If such were the case, how could He be our Protector and Defender if He runs away and hides from His enemies?

But such is not the case. Jesus did not retreat in panic and fear because He had lost control of the situation. It is not a matter that by means of His miracle and His teaching He has provoked the Jewish hierarchy to concerted action against Him, and now, having unleashed an ominous force beyond His control, He retreats to the region of Galilee. On the contrary, precisely because He is in control He would not give Himself over to His enemies until the appointed hour: “Jesus said to [His brothers], ‘The right time for me has not yet come’” (vs. 6a). When His appointed hour arrived, our Lord went forth boldly to confront His enemies:

So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. ⁴Knowing all that was about to happen to him, Jesus went forward, and said to them, Whom do you seek? ⁵They answered, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am he. Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, was also standing with them. ⁶When [Jesus] said to them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Jn. 18:3-6

Our Lord assures us that He is in complete charge:

No one takes [my life] from me; but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. This commandment I received from my Father. Jn. 10:18

Indeed, in this very chapter, where do we suddenly find Jesus appearing? At the height of this great feast Jesus suddenly appears in the temple, in the very midst of the Jews, boldly proclaiming the Word of God and calling men to Himself (vs. 14, 37). And what are His enemies able to do against Him?

Some of the people who were from Jerusalem said, Is not this the man whom they are seeking to kill? ²⁶And Look! He is speaking publicly, and they say nothing to him. Jn. 7:25-26a

They were seeking to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. Jn. 7:30

³²The Pharisees...and the chief priests sent officers to arrest him... ⁴⁵Then the officers came back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, Why did you not bring him? ⁴⁶The officers answered, Never did a man speak like this. Jn. 7:32, 45-46

Granted, within the scope of His absolute sovereignty, Christ does permit the devil to effectively, though temporarily, exert a demonic opposition; but all is ever and securely under Christ’s control. Indeed, the hour of darkness is also Christ’s hour: In the Garden of Gethsemane, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus and lead Him away to trial and crucifixion, He declared, “This is your hour, and [the hour of] the power of darkness” (Lk. 22:53b). Anticipating the cross of Calvary that lay before Him, the Lord Jesus testified, “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified” (Jn. 12:23). The hour of darkness is also the very hour in which He gained the ultimate triumph over the devil; referring to His crucifixion and what it would accomplish, Christ declares, “Now has come the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (Jn. 12:31).

Be assured that Christ is in charge; despite the opposition against Him.

Be Assured that Christ is in Charge; despite the Confusion that may Reign among Men←⤒🔗

According to verse twelve, there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning Jesus: “Some said, ‘He is a good man,’” referring to the fact that Jesus had healed the paralytic and done other good works. “Others said, ‘Not so; on the contrary, he is leading the people astray,’” referring to the fact that they viewed His act of healing the man on the Sabbath as a violation of the Sabbath, thus making Him a Sabbath-breaker.

According to verse fifteen, the Jewish leaders were astounded at Jesus’ teaching, unable to figure out how an “uneducated” man could have such knowledge and authority: “The Jews were astonished, inquiring, How does this man possess such knowledge, having never studied?”

When Jesus inquires of the Jews, “Why are you trying to kill me?” some of the crowd who came from the regions beyond Judaea and Jerusalem accuse Him of being paranoid and even demon-possessed: “The crowd responded, You are demon-possessed; who is seeking to kill you?” (vs. 20) But the people of Jerusalem rightly identify Jesus as the one whom the Jewish leaders are, indeed, seeking to kill, they ask: “Is not this [the man] whom they are seeking to kill?” (vs. 25)

The people of Jerusalem also express their perplexity: “Some of the people who were from Jerusalem said, Is not this [the man] whom they are seeking to kill? ²⁶And look! He is speaking publicly, and they say nothing to him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ?” (vs. 25-26) The Jewish leaders were seeking to kill this man; but now, they do not touch him. Could it be that, upon hearing His teaching, they have become convinced that He is the Messiah? But this raises another question: “However, we know from where this man comes; but when the Christ comes, no one will know from where he came.” (vs. 27) How can he be the Messiah? The Messiah will be a mysterious figure whose origins are unknown; but, they insist, they know the origins of this man: he is the son of Joseph and Mary! (Jn. 6:42)

In verses 33-34 we find Jesus informing the Jews that in a little while He will depart and they will not be able to follow Him. Upon hearing this, the Jewish leaders are confused as to where He is going: “Therefore, the Jews said among themselves, Where is this man going that we shall not find him? Is he going to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and [will he] teach the Greeks? ³⁶What does he mean, You will look for me, but shall not find me; and where I am, you cannot come?” (Jn. 7:35-36)

Hearing Jesus’ teaching, some of the crowd declares, “This is the prophet!” They are referring to the prophet whom Moses foretold would come: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him” (Deut. 18:15). Others declare, “This is the Christ!” They rightly identify Jesus as the Messiah Himself, although they did not truly understand His mission. Still others said, “No, he cannot be the Christ, for the Christ does not come out of Galilee; it was prophesied that He would come from Bethlehem” (vs. 41b-42). They are referring to Micah 5:2a, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, [though] you are little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of you shall come forth to me the one to be ruler in Israel.” The people are aware that Jesus had been living in Nazareth, but they are unaware of the fact that He was actually born in Bethlehem.

But in the midst of all this confusion, Jesus is in control: quietly, but dramatically, He verifies the fact that He is the Messiah. In the midst of the feast He suddenly appears in the temple, just as it had been prophesied about the Messiah: “the LORD, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple” (Mal. 3:1b). Indeed, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He was of the lineage of David, and He is the incarnate Son of God; as Micah 5:2b goes on to declare, “[his] goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting,” indicating His divinity.

Be assured that Christ is in charge; despite the fact that confusion may reign among men or in your own life. We are given the assurance that the LORD is the God “[who causes] all things to work in accordance with the plan [he has conceived] by his [own] will” (Eph. 1:11). That is to say, the LORD has His divinely conceived purpose and plan, and He proceeds to cause all events to interact in such a way as to secure the fulfillment of that plan. We are given the further assurance, “we know that all things work together for good for those who love God” (Rom. 8:28). As one Christian man expressed it: “Nothing happens to the Christian by chance. Sooner or later, the reasons will unravel and God’s wisdom in each of His dealings will appear.”²

Let us take to heart the counsel offered in Isaiah 50:10b, “he who walks in darkness and has no light, let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his God.”

Be Assured that Christ is in Charge; and He Will Not Deviate from His Pre-Determined Course←⤒🔗

As the Feast of Tabernacles approached, Jesus’ unbelieving brothers challenged Him to go to Judaea; there to perform His miraculous works and so gain a following (vs. 3). Their reasoning was that no one does anything in secret if he wants to be known publicly (vs. 4). Galilee was “the backwoods” of Israel, located far to the north of Jerusalem. If Jesus desires to gain a following, He should not waste His time performing His mighty works in Galilee, He should perform them in Judaea, in the vicinity of Jerusalem, during one of the great Jewish feasts, so that He may be seen by the greatest number of people. The reasoning and challenge of these unbelieving men goes like this: Jesus should put on a great display of His mighty works before a national audience, thereby gaining the recognition of the entire nation of Israel.

How does Jesus respond to such a challenge? He declares, “The right time for me has not yet come” (vs. 6a). It was not the opportune time for Jesus to go up to the feast if He went in the company of His brothers. it was better for Him to wait until the crowds had assembled so that He could make a sudden appearance in the spirit of the prophecy of Malachi (3:1).³ In speaking of ”the right time,” Lord Jesus may also be referring to the time when He would offer Himself upon the cross of Calvary, and that hour would come at the culmination of His earthly ministry, which was not yet completed.

Jesus puts the emphasis on this particular feast, the approaching Feast of Tabernacles, “I will not go up to this Feast; because the right time for me has not yet come” (vs. 8). It would be at another feast, the Passover Feast, one or two years in the future, that Jesus would reveal Himself by means of His triumphal entry in order to fulfill His work at the hour appointed by the Father. Precisely because Christ is in charge, He will not cater to any challenge to deviate from His pre-determined course, the course appointed for Him by God the Father.

There are times when we challenge Christ to come forth immediately in triumphal procession to obliterate every last vestige of opposition and clarify every bit of confusion. We make the same prayer as did Isaiah, “Oh that you would rend the heavens [i.e. rip them apart as though they were a canopy] and come down, that the mountains might tremble at your presence” (Isa. 64:1). But once again, our Lord’s reply is, “The right time for me has not yet come.” However, we may be encouraged by the testimony of the angels at the time of our Lord’s ascension into heaven:

Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, shall come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11

Conclusion←⤒🔗

Despite the circumstances we may encounter in this present world, or in our own lives, we can put our confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ, because He is in control: Christ truly is in charge!

But precisely because He is in charge, let us not expect Christ to cater to any challenge to deviate from His pre-determined course, to deviate from carrying out His purpose for the world, for the church, and for our lives—-and doing so in His time and in the way He sees fit. On the contrary, let us confidently entrust ourselves to Him, and to His will, in all the changing circumstances of our lives, resting and rejoicing in the fact that Christ is in charge.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. Why did Jesus stay in Galilee, and not make a public entrance at the upcoming feast? See Jn. 7:1. Does this means our Lord feared the Jews; if so, how could He command us to be courageous? Note Jn. 16:33b. What was the reason Jesus did not arrive at the feast with His family? See Jn. 7:6a. As Christians, do we appreciate the fact that the LORD abides by His “divine timetable,” and we must await the fulfillment of His sovereign purposes with reverent patience? Note Isa. 60:22b,

After this, Jesus stayed in Galilee; he would not stay in Judaea, because the Jews sought to kill him. Jn. 7:1

In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world. Jn. 16:33b

Jesus said to them, The right time for me has not yet come; but any time is right for you. Jn. 7:6

At the [appointed] time, I, the LORD, will cause it to happen suddenly. Isa. 60:22b

2. What is Jesus’ brothers’ relationship to Him (cf. Jn. 7:5) and to the world (cf. Jn. 7:7a)? As Jesus’ disciples, what does He tell us is our relationship to the world, and why is this so? See Jn. 15:18­ 19 Is the hatred of the world always overtly expressed against us; when is it most evident?

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you. ¹⁹If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore, the world hates you. Jn. 15:18-19

3. Why does the world hate the Lord Jesus? See Jn. 7:7b What does Jesus testify about Himself? See Jn. 8:12a. How does Jesus, as the Light of the world, testify against the works and the ambitions of sinful mankind? Note Jn. 8:29 and Jn. 17:4. How does Jesus’ life and testimony differ from that of sinful mankind? As Jesus’ disciples, what have we become by virtue of our spiritual regeneration and relationship with Him? See Matt. 5:14a, 16,

The world cannot hate you; but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. Jn. 7:7

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world; whoever follows me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. Jn. 8:12

The One who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone; because I always do the things that are pleasing to him. Jn. 8:29

 I have glorified you on the earth, by accomplishing the work that you have given me to do. Jn. 17:4

¹⁴You are the light of the world... ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt. 5:14, 16

4. Compare the way the Lord Jesus goes up to this present Feast of Tabernacles (cf. Jn. 7:10) with the way in which He will go up to His Final Passover Feast (cf. Mk. 11:7-9). What accounts for this difference? Note Jn. 7:8b. Expecting Jesus, as a devout Jew, to attend this feast, what were the Jewish leaders planning to do? See Jn. 7:11, 25. When Jesus makes a public appearance in the temple, are the Jews able to carry out their intentions? See Jn. 7:30. What does this teach us about the Lord Jesus? See Jn. 10:17-18. What assurance does this provide for us as Christians?

But after his brothers had gone up to the Feast, then he also went up, not publicly, but secretly.Jn. 7:10

They brought the colt to Jesus, and laid their garments on him; and [Jesus] sat upon him. ⁸Many people spread their garments on the road; and others spread branches, which they had cut from the fields. ⁹They who went before them, and they who followed them, cried out, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Mk. 11:7-9

Jesus commanded His brothers,

Go up to the Feast; I will not go up to this Feast; because the right time for me has not yet come. Jn. 7:8

The Jews were looking for him at the Feast and asking, Where is he? ... ²⁵Now some of them from Jerusalem said, 'Is this not he whom they seek to kill?' Jn. 7:11, 25

Therefore, they sought to take him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. Jn. 7:30

The Father loves me because I lay down my life; [I lay it down] in order that I may take it again. ¹⁸No one takes it away from me, I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father. Jn. 10:17­-18

5. When some of the people question whether Jesus, indeed, is the Christ (i.e. the Messiah), what objections are raised, and how are they answered? See Jn. 7:27 (cf. Jn. 6:42a)/Jn. 1:1, 14; Jn. 7:41b/Lk. 2:4-7a. As Christians, could much of our perplexity be removed if we had a deeper relationship with the Christ and a broader knowledge of the Scriptures?

...we know from where this man comes; but when the Christ comes, no one will know from where he came. Jn. 7:27

And they said, 'Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he says, 'I have come down from heaven'?' Jn. 6:42

¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... ¹⁴And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory... Jn. 1:1, 14

Others said, 'This is the Christ.' But some said, 'Will the Christ come out of Galilee?' Jn. 7:41

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. ⁶So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. ⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Lk. 2:4-7