What will you do with Jesus? 

John 7:1-24 (ESV) 

[1] 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. [14] About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. [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. [18] 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. [19] Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?" [20] The crowd answered, "You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?" [21] Jesus answered them, "I did one work, and you all marvel at it. [22] Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. [23] 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? [24] Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment."

The feast of Tabernacles was upon Israel again. It came the same time every year. At the end of September, Israel would celebrate the third of their three major feasts. The first being Passover, the second being Pentecost and the third being Booths or Tabernacles.

For most it had little true spiritual value or meaning. It was simply a religious exercise in obedience to the law of Moses. In fact, although all the feasts pointed to the coming of the Messiah, few probably entertained the idea that the Messiah might indeed be in their midst.

Unfortunately, the same can be said of the Church today. Few probably anticipate the coming of the Lord in our generation. Business as usual then. Business as usual now. This does not mean that many did not desire the Messiah to come nor does it mean than many today do not greatly desire and long for his appearing.

It is quite simply that it has been so long prophesied that many lose hope or expectation of such a wonderful event as His coming occurring during their lifetime. Yet here at this feast, the One who created the feasts, the One who is the fulfillment of these feasts and the One who is typified in each of the feasts, walks in their midst and they do not know Him.

In fact, his brothers do not believe, the Jews want to kill him, and the crowd has mixed opinions and sentiments regarding who they believe Jesus to be. Much like today. Jesus moves in timing of his Father's will, he speaks only his Father's words and he operates with his Father's authority. He is indeed his Father's son.

Yet with all the displays that he is Heaven's sent gift, Heaven's very heartbeat, most people still do not see this one as God in the flesh who has come to save them from their sins. The brothers are hung up on familiarity, having grown up with Jesus. The Jews are infuriated with jealousy, the crowds are fickle and change their opinion almost moment to moment. Even many of the disciples have walked away as we read in the last chapter.

This does not deter Jesus from his Father's will or his Father's love. He is committed to something beyond the latest opinion poll of the day. Jesus is not trying to be popular or liked. He has come to do war against sin, self, and Satan and He is dressed for battle.

Brothers and sisters, what do we think about Jesus? May the tide of the culture not sweep us away into the ocean of religious political correctness. May we follow Him no matter what the cost. He alone is worthy of all our praise.

- Written by Steve Shives