John 7:1-52

Grace

To spend at least a third of each work-day and week-end seeking to free my neighbours and neighbourhood from urban poverty..

Readings

Devotion 1

Wait: Spend some time waiting on God, letting God reshape your heart and vision.

Read: John 7:1-13

In this passage, the opposition between Galilee and Judea comes into full view. Galilee, in the  north, is a largely agrarian area which in John’s gospel, as in the synoptics, functions as “the margins” (Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he?”). Judea, on the other hand, is in the south, and is the location of the Temple and the centre of political and economic power in Palestine. Ioudaioi, often translated “Jews”, is much better translated “Judeans”—as distinct not only from Gentiles, as we might be used to thinking, but also from Galileans, of which Jesus is one.

In the story before us today the question is raised, “When should Jesus go to Judea to “testify against it that its works are evil”? Jesus brothers’ “wisdom” is rejected by Jesus—being “widely known” doesn’t seem to be Jesus’ driving motivation. Yet he is driven by his mission to go, not openly, but in secret.

The reaction to Jesus is forefront in this passage. The Judeans want to kill him (v1), while the crowds at the feast are divided over whether he is a “good man” or a “deceiver”.

Ask:

Share:

Devotion 2

Wait: Take time to sit in silence together, aware of the presence of God’s Spirit.

Read: John 7:14-24

In contrast to Jesus’ going to the festival “in secret” (v10), he now begins to teach openly in the temple (v14). The authority of Jesus is in question here. The astonishment of the Judeans (v15) can be read here as a negative reaction; they are scandalised that this Galilean upstart is teaching the way he does. Most shockingly, this Galilean, who has “not been taught by an acknowledged teacher” calls into question their use of Moses to prohibit healing on the Sabbath.

Rather than blindly follow traditional interpretations, says Jesus, we must “judge with right judgment.”

Ask: 

Share: Communion

Pray:

Devotion 3

Wait: Spend time waiting on God, aware our inadequacy and God’s grace.

Read: John 7:25-36

In today’s passage, a central question emerges—Is this the Messiah? Yet a stumbling block to the answer of those in the story is that of Jesus’ origin and destination—where is he from, and where is he going?

For those in the story, does knowledge of Jesus origins give a sense of mastery over him? They know that he is from Galilee, and judge him accordingly. He cannot be the Messiah, they presume. Their prejudices have blinded them from seeing God’s truth.

At the same time, they cannot comprehend where he is going. What then, will become of those who accept him? How will they know whether his message is from God? In the end, will their blindness and desire to control the outcomes provide insurmountable barriers to “judging with right judgment”?

In this debate we are taken back to the prologue (Jn 1:1-18), as we are reminded of the mystery of Jesus’ incarnation and the inability of the world to “know him” (1:10).

Ask:

Share:

Pray:

Devotion 4

Wait: Spend some time waiting on God.

Read: John 7:37-52 as a Lectio Divina.

1) Have one person read the verses through twice.

2) Speak out any words or phrases that stand out to you.

3) Read through the verses again.

4) What thoughts, feelings, and impressions do you sense? Share them.

5) Read the verses a final time.

6) What challenges or encouragements emerge? Share them with the group.

Share:

Pray: