Make a Right Judgment

Introduction

Beginning with chapter 7 and going through chapter 10, Jesus is in Jerusalem during two festivals. The first is the Feast of Tabernacles commemorating two specific events—the time that Israel lived in tents during the wilderness wandering and the harvest. This festival was in the fall of the year and was a way of celebrating God’s provision through the harvest even as he provided for Israel as it was in the desert awaiting entrance into the promised land. The second festival is found in chapter 10 and it is called the Feast of Dedication. Today we call this Hanukkah. It takes place in the winter of the year around our Christmas time. It is a feast celebrating the rededication of the temple in December 164 B.C. after its desecration by Antiochus Epiphanes. Both of these festivals celebrate God’s provision and protection. It appears that Jesus remains in Jerusalem from mid October through the end of December—a little over two months. Jesus uses these feast times to make statements about himself and his ministry.

In our text today, John allows us to see that the people are at a significant point in trying to decide about Jesus. At the end of chapter 6 a number of followers leave Jesus because they cannot accept Jesus as he claims. John allows us to see over the next several chapters that everyone has something to say about Jesus. It is a crucial time in Jesus’ ministry. The religious leaders have their minds made up but the people are still deciding. In our section this morning, Jesus will make offer some further evidence. He will argue his case with the people. And the people will have to wrestle with his words and their implication. So must we.

Indecision

Jesus remains in Galilee for a time. He is relatively safe here. Galilee is under a different local government than in Jerusalem and in Galilee there is currently less pressure politically and religiously. But the pressure from his own brothers is building. John gives us a brief glimpse into Jesus’ family. We know that his mother, Mary, believes (2:1-11), but what about his brothers? They taunt Jesus. These are not statements about disbelief but statements reflecting that they do not understand who Jesus is. They see Jesus as a political figure. “If you are going to sway the people you have to get out there and show them what you can do.” They believe that Jesus wants to be popular. Did they know that so many had already turned away from Jesus? Probably. This taunting was a clear expression of their disbelief. John allows us to see that Jesus’ own family rejects him.

Jesus does go to Jerusalem but not at the time and in the manner that his brothers suggest. Again John allows us to hear the contradictory voices of the people. Some say he is a good man; others that he is a deceiver. The crowds will play a prominent role in the next few chapters. Jesus uses this opportunity to teach the people. At a time when there is great confusion, Jesus teaches. No miracles. No signs. Words. He is extremely persuasive. He teaches as no others can. The people are intrigued.

Jesus had not gone through the regular educational channels. No rabbinical training. No schools. No letters after his name. But his teaching reveals an uncanny sense of truth and personal experience. Jesus enlightens us. His teaching comes from God. He speaks God’s words not his own. He confronts the people with their intent—they want to kill him. Not all in the audience wanted to take Jesus’ life. But he knows that those who have already decided that Jesus is a deceiver want him dead. The voice of denial turns into slanderous accusation. Jesus is demon-possessed. What better way to discredit this interesting, challenging, insightful teacher than to question his integrity and character?

Jesus responds in a typical rabbinical fashion making an argument from the lesser to the greater. It is really a very simple argument. Jesus refers back to the miracle he performed in John 5—the healing of the lame man. This sign was done on the Sabbath. His argument is very simple. “If you are willing to circumcise on the Sabbath in order to ‘perfect’ one part of the body, then why is it wrong to heal the entire body on the Sabbath?” Notice the legal terminology in verses 19, 23, and 24. Jesus understands he is on trial. He understands that evidence and supporting arguments are needed to convince the people and he offers such in this instance.

The people’s response is an interesting one. They understand that there are some who want Jesus killed. If these people are unwilling to arrest Jesus and to rid Jerusalem of his influence, then have they changed their mind? Is Jesus really the Messiah? Jesus reminds the people that his origin is not human in nature. This is too much. The people are not ready to accept Jesus fully. They are struggling, but divine they are not ready to believe. But the section ends with one sane thought—if Jesus isn’t the Messiah, then how do we explain the signs?

You can hear the indecision. You can hear the confusion. Kill him. Believe him. Accept him. Reject him. Messiah? Signs. Teaching. There is much to absorb and there is much to examine. What shall we believe? The people truly are confused and confounded. But these crowds may not be the only ones who are confused.

Us

I do not think that many of us in this room are like Jesus’ brothers. I think we understand that Jesus isn’t about self-serving recognition. I do not think that most of us in this room are willing to ridicule and taunt Jesus. I do not think that any in here would kill Jesus if the opportunity presented itself. I think most of us believe something about him. Our levels of faith may differ as it should because we are all at different maturity levels. But I am speaking to people who have accepted Jesus and want in some measure to honor him.

But there is another response that we see in this section that may well fit many of us. And it is found in verse 13. “But no one would say anything for fear of the Jews.” I fear this is where most of us are. We are afraid. To speak up is to draw a line. And we don’t like drawing lines. Speak at work and someone may speak in disdain to us that we are right wing religious zealots who are making trying to take away our freedom. Speak to a neighbor and suddenly you are on display from that day forward. For many of us we are glad to come to a building and be inside with others who love God but when we leave we need to make sure that do not speak about religion because it may turn people off.

Jesus certainly faced that difficulty. When he spoke, people had to decide whether to stay with him or leave him. One of the amazing things about Jesus is that he wanted people to turn to God but how people felt about him was immaterial. “Stop judging by mere appearance and make a right judgment.” He pushed people to think. To be wise. To look beyond what they could see and look at what was real. Some hated him; some wanted to kill him; some rejected him; some taunted him; some remained silent for fear of what others might do them. That’s us. Afraid of what people will think. Afraid that we might be rejected. We say nothing and by saying nothing we speak volumes.

Wouldn’t it be great if we cared more about helping just one person know Christ than what the myriad of others thought about us or said about us or how they treated us? Instead of being bold, too many of us are afraid. And our fear keeps us silent. If Jesus is truly important to us, will we not speak? If Jesus is who we believe him to be, will we not search for the one who needs to hear from us about our wonderful Savior? If Jesus is the Son of God, then we understand that temporary exclusion and ridicule is nothing compared to eternity with him.

The truth is that fear produces the same result as those who taunt him, want to kill him, or reject him. Fear produces silence and our silence judges the Son of God as being unworthy of our voice. We cannot not communicate. Our silence as well as our words communicate. Is Jesus who he claims to be? Are you?

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