John 7:1-13
7: After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 2 Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand. 3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him. 6 Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After saying this, he remained in Galilee.
10 But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. 11 The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” 12 And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” 13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.
Reflection
In John 7–8, Jesus’ claims about himself grow even more dramatic, and the response of the Jews grows increasingly hostile. As Jesus reveals himself more clearly, the Jews have a growing desire to put him to death. Indeed, they did put him to death, but only at the appointed time (see John 7:6) and only for God’s saving purposes (Acts 2:23–24). God’s plans never fail. Even the most disastrous and puzzling events are under his wise, governing hand.
Even members of Jesus’ own family struggled with his identity (John 7:5)— only after his resurrection did his brothers believe in him (Mark 3:21; Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 15:7). Like the rest of us, their salvation and eternal relationship with Jesus comes by grace alone through faith alone. We must all be born from above so that we might believe from within and be saved (John 3:5).
Hebrews 3:12-19
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said,“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
Reflection
Those who are truly the Lord’s do not fall away forever; however, there is no assurance that we are truly the Lord’s if we live contrary to him (cf. Heb. 10:14; Rom. 8:29–30; Eph. 2:6; Col. 3:1–3). So, these strong words call all professing Christians to a self-examination that would keep us from living in fear or rebellion (see also 2 Cor. 13:5). One evidence of truly knowing Christ is persistent faith. We must be on guard, therefore, that we do not develop “an evil, unbelieving heart.” What is the antidote to the poison of unbelief? It is mutual accountability and daily encouragement of one another (Heb. 3:13). Sin is deceitful and can harden our hearts.
Let us be watchful, then, and “hold our original confidence firm to the end” (v. 14). We thank God for faithful spouses and other friends who help us walk with Christ. And we should be on the lookout for those who say they believe in Christ yet do not continue with him. They need our prayers and maybe our help.
Psalm 40:9
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
According to Hebrews 3:13, our church family plays a crucial role in helping to sustain our faith. Pray that God would give you close and committed friends so that you can help one another in the battle for faith.