“But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret. ¹¹ The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, “Where is he?” ¹² And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, “He is a good man,” others were saying, “No, he is deceiving the crowd.” ¹³ Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews. ¹⁴ About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. ¹⁵ The Jews were astonished at it, saying, “How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?” ¹⁶ Then Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. ¹⁷ Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. ¹⁸ Those who speak on their own seek their own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him. ¹⁹ “Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why are you looking for an opportunity to kill me?” ²⁰ The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is trying to kill you?” ²¹ Jesus answered them, “I performed one work, and all of you are astonished. ²² Moses gave you circumcision (it is, of course, not from Moses, but from the patriarchs), and you circumcise a man on the sabbath. ²³ If a man receives circumcision on the sabbath in order that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I healed a man’s whole body on the sabbath? ²⁴ Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”  John 7:10-24

The Jewish Festival of Booths (or Tabernacles) originally celebrated the completion of the harvest, but eventually also came to commemorate G-d’s protection of Israel during the time in the wilderness. In New Testament times, the festival had grown to an eight-day celebration centered at the Temple. The Temple court and the streets of Jerusalem would be filled with temporary shelters. The first day of the festival was a day of solemn rest and worship. On days two through six there were daily sacrifices and at least three ritual processions.  The seventh day included a procession during which people waved branches, marched around the altar seven times, and prayed for a good harvest in the coming year. The eight day was a day of solemn worship.  (The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume IX). Can you imagine the scene and the great crowd and excitement of the festival as Jesus encounters “The Jews” and the crowds in Chapter 7? At a time when there were so many people coming to Jerusalem, like this festival, or the Passover festival, the tensions would be high—especially for the occupying Roman government. Jesus used these opportunities to make it clear that he had come with a new teaching—and neither the complaints of the crowds, or the Jews would stop him from his mission. Imagine the scene…if you can.

Pastor Dave