Jesus at the Feast:

In John Chapter 5:

• Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, causing considerable distress among the Jews.

In John Chapter 6:

• Jesus fed the five thousand.
• Jesus walked on water.
• Jesus warned his followers to NOT work for that which perishes, but for that which endures.
• Jesus claimed to be the living bread that came down from heaven.

• John 6:63 “...It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life...”

Now in John Chapter 7:

• It was time for the Feast of Booths in Judea.
• Jesus wanted to avoid Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.
• Jesus’ brothers didn’t believe in Him and challenged Him to show Himself to the world.

What was the Feast of Booths?

• Also known as Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Tents.
• Started on the 15th of Tisri (mid September).
• To commemorate their living in tents in the wilderness.

John 7:6-8 “...Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come...”

What is the difference between ‘My time’ and ‘your time’?

• Jesus time was scripted by the Father, and required careful attention to follow.
• The disciples time would not initially attract the same attention, so they could go to the feast.

Is ‘your time’ scripted by the Father, requiring careful attention to follow?

• Ephesians 5:15-17 “...Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is...”

Did Jesus stay in Galilee? (John 7:9-16)

• Jesus avoided publicity by going in private.
• In the middle of the feast, He went into the temple and began teaching. 
• The Jews marveled at his learning, because He hadn’t been formally taught.
  

 John 7:16 “...So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me...”

What teaching was Jesus giving?

• Teaching from His heavenly Father?

Teaching from heaven?

John 7:17-18 “...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. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood...”

According to Jesus, who will recognize when teaching is from God?

• Those who wish to do God’s will.

• John 10:3 “...The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out...”

• John 10:27 “...My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me...”

Who then, do you think will have difficulty recognizing teaching from God?

• Those who don’t wish to do God’s will.

What additional distinguishing feature did Jesus say identifies truth speakers?

• The one getting the glory.
• Those seeking their own glory are speaking their own manipulative words.
• Those seeking God’s glory don’t carry falsehood.

John 7:19-24 “...Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment...”

Jesus is challenging the Jews because of their frustration with Him healing on the Sabbath (John 5).

What is the challenge that Jesus leaves for all people?

• Avoid judging by appearance, and judge rightly.