John 7

The Explanation

Jesus had enemies who wanted to kill him. So he stayed away from Judea and walked in Galilee instead. His own brothers did not understand him. They said, "Go to the feast! Show everyone what you can do!" But they did not really believe in him, they just wanted to see something exciting.

Jesus said, "My time has not yet come." Then he stayed behind first, and went to the feast later, quietly, not so everyone could see him.

At the feast people were whispering about him. "Where is he?" some asked. "He is a good man," said some. "No, he fools people," said others. Nobody dared to say it too loudly, because they were afraid.

Then, right in the middle of the feast, Jesus suddenly stood in the temple and began to teach. People were amazed. "How does he know all this? He never studied!" Jesus answered, "My teaching does not come from me, but from God who sent me."

Some people got angry. They wanted to grab him, but no one could, because it was not yet his time. Other people believed in him because of the miracles he did.

The chief priests sent guards to arrest him. But when the guards came back empty handed, they said, "No man has ever spoken like this man!" The leaders were furious.

Then, on the very last day of the feast, Jesus cried out loudly, so everyone could hear: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!" He was speaking of the Holy Spirit, whom people would receive once he had returned to the Father.

Some said, "This is truly the prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." Others doubted, because they thought the Christ could not come from Galilee. So the people were divided, right down the middle.

One man, Nicodemus, dared to speak up for Jesus. "You cannot condemn a man without listening to him first," he said. But the others laughed at him. In the end everyone simply went home.

What Does This Mean?

Jesus does not do what others want, not even his own brothers. He does what the Father asks him. That takes courage. Everyone around him has an opinion, some believe, some hate, some doubt. But Jesus keeps saying what is true, even when it is dangerous.

The Common Thread

Jesus calls out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink." That is a huge promise. Long before, God gave water from a rock in the desert. Now Jesus himself is that spring. Whoever believes in him receives the Holy Spirit, like a stream flowing straight from within you. That is the promise God had been giving all along.

For You

Do you sometimes feel thirsty, not for water, but inside, because you feel alone or afraid? You may go to Jesus with that. He does not send you away. And when others say something untrue about someone, or laugh at them without listening first, you can be like Nicodemus. Dare to ask, "Have you actually heard him?" That takes courage, but it is right.

Talk About It

Why do you think Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in him yet?

If you were one of the guards who heard Jesus speak, what do you think you would have said afterward?

Praying Together

Lord Jesus, thank you that you always speak the truth, even when people do not want to hear it. Thank you that you invite us to come to you when we are thirsty inside. Give us courage like Nicodemus, to really listen before we judge. Amen.