Day 295, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Luke 17:20–18:14; John 7:1-52
Who is Jesus?
Who is Jesus? This is a question that divides many people. Is Jesus
- a mythical figure or a dead religious icon?
- the most incredible man and fantastic teacher who ever lived?
- a prophet?
- a miracle worker?
- a great deceiver?
- a man who became a god or God who became a man?
What do you think? Today’s Bible study will clarify who Jesus is.
Religious Leaders Challenge Jesus’ Identity
In today’s Bible reading, the Pharisees (religious leaders) are not sure who Jesus is, but they are jealous of his popularity. They constantly question him, trying to get him to stumble or slip up so they might have something of which to accuse him.
Jesus had been talking about the kingdom of God, so they asked him when it would come. He answers that the kingdom of God is within you. Some commentators believe a better translation of the Greek text is that it is “in your midst or within your reach.” The future king of Israel and the world is standing right before them, but they don’t recognize him. Do we?
Belief and Unbelief about Jesus’ Identity
Jesus’ disciples believe in him. Recently, when Jesus questioned them, asking them who they thought he was, Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16, NIV).
Now, privately, Jesus gives to his disciples a thorough explanation about himself and his coming kingdom. He informs them that first, people will reject him and he must suffer. The coming kingdom is a long way off (but almost 2,000 years closer now). He doesn’t want them to be deceived by false reports, saying, “here is Christ,” or “there is Christ.” The real Christ will come again suddenly and unexpectedly, like a flash of lightning. Jesus tells them that the kingdom’s subjects humble themselves before God (unlike the religious leaders of that day).
Jesus’ brothers don’t believe in him. They think that if he wants to be a public figure, he should go to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, perform some miracles, and show himself to the world. They don’t realize who Jesus is, even though they have lived with him.
In all fairness, were we in their sandals, would we think our brother is the Messiah, the promised Savior? To believe Jesus is who he said he is requires a spiritual transformation of our hearts. After his resurrection from the dead, they would finally believe their brother is the Son of God who has come into the world.
Confusion, Division, and the Truth about Jesus
Jesus delays going to the feast because the religious leaders are plotting to kill him. They think The Feast of Tabernacles is an opportune time for Christ to make himself known, and they want to be ready. Jesus secretly arrives later, however, and teaches in the temple.
The people and religious leaders are divided in their opinions about Jesus. Some say he is a good man. Others think Jesus is a deceiver. However, when he teaches them, they are all impressed with his understanding of the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament) and how he speaks with authority.
Jesus challenges them to study the Scriptures to see if his words are from God or his own mind. Truth is not afraid of investigation. The Scriptures reveal Christ to be the Messiah and Savior (Luke 4:16-21).
Christ’s Gracious Invitation
“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink’” (John 7:37, NIV). What does he mean by this? We have already read that Jesus’ offer to come and drink was an offer of salvation (John 4:14; 6:53-63). He says the same thing to the Jewish people and religious leaders in the temple courts on this day.
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given since Jesus had not yet been glorified (John 7:38-39, NIV).
What is the reaction of the crowd? Some believe he is a prophet, while others are still divided in their opinions.
What about us? Have we come to Jesus to have our soul’s thirst quenched, or are we still wondering who he is? We need to trust in him for our salvation. He can deliver us from our sins, bring peace and spiritual life. If we have trusted Jesus, the Holy Spirit has been poured into us. He is like a stream of living water for our souls as we obey and worship him. If we do this, our souls will keep on being replenished.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the New Testament, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p. 249
If you or someone you know has doubts about Jesus, here is a recommended book to read: The Case for Christ, A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel, ISBN - l0: 0-310-20930-7 or ISBN - 13: 978-0-310-20930-0
The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the New Testament, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p. 249
Discussion
Why should people have known who Jesus was?
