John 7:15-17 English Standard Version

¹⁵ The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” ¹⁶ So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. ¹⁷ If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

We left off yesterday with the issue of a challenge related to knowing God’s will.

Allow me to paraphrase the import parts of the above scripture in terms related to pride.

Jewish leader says, “How can you know this? I didn’t teach you.”

Jesus answers, “One greater than you taught me. Why don’t you recognize His word?”

These are words from John 7 that explain how the people reacted.

John 7:25-26 English Standard Version

Can This Be the Christ?

²⁵ Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? ²⁶ And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?

The people begin to question their religious leaders.

John 7:32 English Standard Version

Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus

³² The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.

The religious leaders tried to put an end to the rumors. We can only assume what their motivations are in seeking to arrest Jesus. It might be that they did not care to be challenged. It might be that they failed the challenge. It might be that their egos were bruised. It might be they feared losing control over their congregation.

Having said all that based on assumptions related to the scriptures read what conclusions should we draw from this?

How do we react when challenged?

John 7:15-17 English Standard Version

¹⁵ The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” ¹⁶ So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. ¹⁷ If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

Great students have great teachers. That is an assumption. Jesus has entered into the temple and began teaching. What is our understanding about who gives authority within that culture in those times? Our church does not allow a stranger to enter in, take the podium and just begin teaching. Why did they?

These are unanswered questions. We make assumptions based on knowledge. Baseless assumptions lead to bad conclusions. What did they know about Jesus and why it was that He could read for the skill for reading the Torah was based on teaching of writings first and then having those skills recognized. Is that statement a baseless assumption?

Luke 4:16-17 English Standard Version

¹⁶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. ¹⁷ And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

Unlike the leaders of Jesus’ time we have the benefit of scriptures that tell of the earlier days of Jesus. Key to this understanding are the words “as was his custom.” The leader of the synagogue handed the scroll to read because he had experienced what Jesus was capable of doing. We know that custom is an important part of Jewish tradition because of all that is written about their traditions.

Lastly allow me to point to the last thing said in John7:17. It was a challenge about knowing God’s will and doing God’s will. It comes down to knowing it when you see it.