John 7-8

John 7 starts out with Jesus' brothers wanting Him to have a public ministry and telling Him how to do things. Jesus knew the religious leaders were plotting to take His life so He purposely stayed out of Judea. The key here is even His brothers did not believe in Him (vs. 5). He did go then, but He went later under the father's direction and slipped in. He started teaching in the temple and the crowds gathered. They also had a hard time giving themselves to the Lord as the religious leaders were teaching against Him.

The whole week they pressed our Lord on every issue. He knew what the father was leading Him to do. Still He promised rivers of living water to those who receive Him. Realizing who He is and where He is working among us is the most challenging thing we will ever do. It is also crucial for us to get it right and do things God's way. This only comes from spending time with the master. Our lives should have the marks of change made by the master's hand.

Jesus told them in 8:20 "You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." 20He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come.

21Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come."

22This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I go, you cannot come'?"

23But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

He went on to say 8:36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed... 38I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father." Pray that the Lord will give us all discernment to rightly divide His word and do His will.