Author: Art Davison

BETHESDA, THE HOUSE OF MERCY

JOHN 5:1-9

Introduction:

Bethesada was a pool (a pond or bath) of water in Jerusalem where appeared the sick and diseased to be healed. “Dr. Lightfoot’s conjecture is that this was the upper pool (Isaiah 7:3), and the old pool, Isaiah 22:11; that it had been used for washing from ceremonial pollutions, for convenience of which the porches were built to dress and undress in, but it was lately become medicinal.” —Matthew Henry.

I. IT WAS IN JERUSALEM

A. The Pool, Bethesda – “house of mercy,” near the Temple.

B. The great number of disabled people pictures the sad spiritual plight of the world, v. 3, “In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.”

II. THE LORD AT WORK ON THE SABBATH

A. The paralyzed man had lived with death for 38 years, v. 5, “And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.”

1. The Lord knew about him, v. 6, “When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?”

a. The Lord knows everything about us, John 21:17, “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

b. There is nothing hid from Him, Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

2. “Wilt thou be made whole?”

a. God offers SPIRITUAL HEALING to a rebellious people, Isaiah 65:2, “I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;”

b. This question was put to a blind man, Luke 18:41-42, “Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42-And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”

B. This man was so EMPTY OF HOPE that he had to be asked, “Do you want to get well?”

1. The pool of Bethesda was a healing pool, vs. 3-4, “In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4- For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.”

2. This man had A REAL PROBLEM besides his disease, v. 7, “The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”

a. He had NO HELPER, Psalm 72:12, “For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.”

b. NO ONE CARED for his soul, Psalm 142:4, “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.”

c. No one that is, BUT JESUS, Romans 5:6-8, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7-For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8-But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

C. The LORD heals the impotent man, vs. 8-9, “Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9-And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”

1. No mention of faith until later.

2. The man responds immediately, v. 9.

a. The Lord does some things in reverse order, Matthew 9:6-7, “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7-And he arose, and departed to his house.”

b. The man’s problem was related to sin, v. 14, “Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”

c. The woman with the issue of blood found immediate healing, Mark 5:29, “And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.”

3. It was done on the Sabbath, vs. 10-11, “The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11-He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.”

a. He was to do no work on the Sabbath, Exodus 20:10, ” But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:”

b. Jesus was always at odds with the Jews over the Sabbath.

1) The case of eating grain in the field on the Sabbath, Mark 2:23, “And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. 24-And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?”

2) The case “to do good on the Sabbath,” Mark 3:4-5, “And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 5-And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.”

CONCLUSION:

The Lord did a great work in the life of this impotent man not only by healing him, but by saving his soul also. Next week we will see what is involved in the conflict over the Sabbath.

“I AM”
JESUS ESTABLISHES HIS IDENTITY

JOHN 8:33-59–LESSON 19

Introduction:

This message begins a series of sermons on the “I AM”. In this message the identity of the Lord Jesus is established beyond any doubt. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, you would do well to listen to this message.

I. GOD IS THE FATHER OF JESUS.

A. Jesus is EQUAL with the Father, Philippians 2:6, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”

B. He is MASTER and LORD, John 13:13, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.”

1. Master, or Teacher, John 11:28, “And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.”

2. LORD, the word implies OWNERSHIP, John 5:23, “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

C. He is the Creator, John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

D. He is the CAPITAIN of the Lord’s host, Joshua 5:13-15, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14-And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?”

II. GOD’S POWER REST UPON JESUS.

A. If any man keep my Word, v. 51, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”

1. He shall never see death, John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 11:26, “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

2. He is not condemned, John 5:24; 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

3. He has a home in Heaven, John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

B. Jesus’ power was because He HONORED the Father, John 15:41, “I receive not honour from men. v. 50, “And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.” John 7:18, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”

III. GOD’S FAVOR REST UPON JESUS.

A. Abraham rejoiced in Jesus, v. 56, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.”

1. To see His day,

2. And he saw it and was glad.

B. Abraham left a heritage, Galatians 3:7-8, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.”

1. By faith in Christ we are the children of Abraham.

2. God has blessed all nations through him.

C. Before Abraham, I AM, v. 58, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

Proverbs 8:22-30:22   The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23- I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.  24- When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.  25- Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:  26- While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.  27- When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:  28- When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:  29- When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:  30- Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

CONCLUSION:

Who are we to overrule the great “I AM”? He is our SAVIOR! He is our LIFE! Why should we take Him for granted?

He is our LORD, that is, He is our MASTER OR OWNER. He has REDEEMED us, 1 Corinthians 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 7:23, “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

“I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.”

JOHN 8:12-32–LESSON 18

John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

Introduction:

We live in a dark world of violence, distrust, immorality and sin in general because we have left the “Light of the World” out of our lives.

The Word of God gives us everything we need to know right here in this message to set everything straight with God. Consider what Jesus said in these passages as we look to the Word of God.

I. THE WORLD IS IN DARKNESS.

A. Darkness is a symbol of evil. John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

B. Darkness is a symbol of sin and death, Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

Matthew 4:16, “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”

C. Darkness is a symbol of ignorance. Ephesians 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”

II. “LIGHT” IN THE BIBLE IS A SYMBOL OF GOD AND HIS HOLINESS.

A. Paul fell on his face before the light of God, Acts 9:3-4, “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”

B. God is light, 1 John 1:5, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1. Jesus is the “Light” of God, John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

2. He is the only Light, “the true Light” for the whole world, John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

3. He is the Light to enlighten the Gentiles, Luke 2:32, “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

4. Christ is the Sun of righteousness, Malachi 4:2, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”

III. HE THAT FOLLOWS ME, AS A TRAVELLER FOLLOWS THE LIGHT IN A DARK NIGHT, SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS.

A. It is our duty to follow his LEADERSHIP, Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

1. Many follow false lights that lead them to destruction; but Christ is the true light, Matthew 24:4-5, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

2. It is not enough to look at this light, and to gaze upon it,

a. But we must follow it,.., 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”

b. Believe in it, and… John 12:36, “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”

c. Walk in it, 1 John 1:6, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

d. For it is a light to our feet, not our eyes only, Luke 1:79, “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

CONCLUSION:

John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

Here we have Jesus’ promise. If we walk in His light, we will NOT ABIDE IN DARKNESS. He says, “but shall have the LIGHT OF LIFE.” The “light of life” that He refers to, is ETERNAL LIFE by trusting in Him as your SAVIOR!

 THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY

JOHN 8:1-11–LESSON 17

Introduction:

These verses are not accepted by the liberal theologians of our day. They say that they are not in the best manuscripts of the New Testament. However, they have met the approval of thousands of good preachers of the truth for many years and God has blessed this part of His Word as He has the rest of the Scriptures.

This portion treats the subject of the woman taken in adultery, and is an attempt to catch the Lord in an error by the Scribes and Pharisees. Let’s consider these verse and how the Lord resolves the situation.

I. THE LORD’S PREPARATION, v. 1.

A. The Mount of Olives was where the Lord went to prepare Himself for the task of the day, v. 1, “Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives.”

B. The Mount of Olives was the Lord’s place of prayer.

1. This was where he went to ask God’s counsel regarding the choosing of the twelve apostles, Luke 6:12-17, note verse 12, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

2. It was on the Mount of Olives where the Garden of Gethsemane is located. There Jesus prayed for strength before He was arrested and crucified, Luke 22:39-46.

C. The Mount of Olives and other mountains in the area were a place of refuge for the Lord in order to rest His body. However, He returned in the morning ready for the day, v. 2, “And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.”

II. THE LORD’S CUSTOM, v. 2.

A. On this occasion the Lord came from the Mount of Olives ready to teach the Word of God in the Temple, v. 2, “And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

B. Jesus taught in the Temple many times even though He knew that the religious leaders sought to destroy Him.

1. Jesus was at home in the Temple teaching the Word of God.

2. He sat down and taught which was the custom.

3. Jesus taught with authority and not as the religious leaders, Matthew 7:29, “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

III. THE LORD’S WISDOM, vs. 3-11.

A. The case proposed to him by the scribes and Pharisees, v. 3, “And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,”

B. The intent of bringing this woman before the Lord was to catch Him in a difficult situation, v. 6a, “This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him.”

1. Those that were taken in adultery were by the Jewish law to be put to death, v. 5, “Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” Leviticus 20:10, “And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.”

2. The intent of the Jews was obvious, Luke 20:20, “And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.”

a. They pretended to be “just men.”

b. They want something contrary to the Law to accuse Him of.

c. The Jews wanted to destroy Him.

C. The Lord’s wisdom is far greater than the trickery of the Pharisees.

1. They asked his judgment in the case, v. 5, “Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?”

2. Jesus is silent on the case for a while, v. 6, “This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.”

3. Jesus gives His judgment, v. 7, “So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

a. If he should confirm the sentence of the law, and let it take its course, they would censure him as inconsistent with himself (he having received publicans and harlots).

b. If he should acquit her, and give his opinion that the sentence should not be executed (as they expected he would), they would represent him in two ways:

1) First, As an enemy to the Law of Moses, and as one that usurped an authority to correct and control it.

2) Secondly, As a friend to sinners, and, consequently, as one who is in favor of sin.

4. The method he took to resolve this case shows His great wisdom.

a. He seemed to slight their question, and turned a deaf ear to it: He stooped down, and wrote on the ground, v. 6b, “But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.”

b. When they importunately, or rather impertinently, pressed him for an answer, He turned the conviction of the prisoner upon the prosecutors, v. 7, So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

D. The results of the Lord’s wisdom in this case.

1. Here Christ avoided the snare that they had laid for him, and effectually saved his own reputation.

2. In the net which they spread for the Lord, is their own foot taken. They came with expectations of accusing Jesus, but they were forced to accuse themselves.

3. Having given them this startling word, he left them to consider of it, v. 8, “And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.”

a. He would not seem to wait for an answer, lest they should on a sudden justify themselves.

b. He gives them time to pause, and to commune with their own hearts, for He needed not to say more, Jeremiah 17:1, “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;”

4. They went out one by one, v. 9, “And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”

a. Perhaps his writing on the ground frightened them, as the handwriting on the wall frightened Belshazzar.

b. What he said frightened them by sending them to their own consciences; he had shown them to themselves.

c. They went out one by one, that they might go out softly, and not by a noisy flight disturb Christ; they went away by stealth, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle, 2 Samuel 19:3, “And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.”

E. Where are your accusers? vs. 10-11, “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11- She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

1. The prosecutors are called: Where are those thine accusers?

2. They do not appear when the question is asked: Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord.

3. “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

JESUS RETURNS TO JERUSALEM–JOHN 7:1-53–LESSON 16

Introduction:

This section prepares the way for another confrontation of Jesus with His opponents in Jerusalem. This ministry in relative obscurity in Galilee provides a delay in the coming conflict.

“After this” is a vague time reference. Since the events recorded in chapter 6 took place shortly before the Passover (6:4), that is, in April, and the Feast of Tabernacles (in October) was now near (7:2), about six months were spent by Jesus in His ministry in Galilee. Galilee was safer because His enemies were in Judea . . . waiting to take His life.

The Feast of Tabernacles (v. 2) was one of the three great Jewish feasts. This feast, also called the Feast of Ingathering, was a time of thanksgiving for harvest. It was a happy time; devout Jews lived outdoors in booths made of tree branches for seven days as a reminder of God’s provision in the desert during their forefather’s wanderings. The feast also signified that God dwells with His people.

Jesus’ brothers, sons of Mary and Joseph after Jesus’ birth, were at this time unbelievers (cf. Mark 3:21, 31-35; 6:3; John 7:5). The argued that the popular Feast of Tabernacles would be the right time for Jesus to present Himself as the Messiah. The felt that he needed to show his power, v. 3-5.

Jesus did not feel the time was right and always did that which pleased the Father. John pointed out this fact that Jesus’ time had not yet come (2:4; 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20). It is interesting to note that His time came just before the Cross as noted in His Intercessory prayer, “Father, the time has come” (17:1; cf. 12:23, 27; 13:1).

I. JESUS ANTICIPATES THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, vs. 10-13

A. Jesus makes a covert entry into the city.

1. The reason, v. 1, “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.”

2. Everyone seemed to know this, v. 25, “Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?”

B. The widespread debate and opposition was growing, John 6:41, “The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.”

1. There was widespread whispering among the Jews.

2. “The charge, He deceives the people, had ominous tones for the penalty for this, according to Talmudic law, was death by stoning.” [Edwin A. Blum]

II. JESUS AT THE FEAST, vs. 14-36

A. Half way through the feast Jesus began teaching in the temple courts.

1. Three days had passed and He had not been seen.

2. The religious leaders (the real threat) listened to Him teach and were amazed, Mark 1:22, “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”

3. His teaching was learned and spiritually penetrating. Yet He had never been a disciple in any Rabbinic school. They wondered how this could be possible.”

B. Jesus states that His teaching was from God who had commissioned Him.

1. The Father hath sent me, John 12:49-50, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50-And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”

2. If you don’t believe that, believe me for the very works sake, John 14:11, 24, “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 24-He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.”

3. Faith is the prerequisite for understanding. Without faith it is impossible to please God, Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

C. Jesus challenges the religious leaders, vs. 18-36.

1. Jesus speaks not of himself, v. 18, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”

2. He does the work of God, John 6:28,29 “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29-Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”

3. The audience boasted in Moses’ Law, John 9:28, “Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.”

a. Jesus attacked their self-confident religion for He knew them, John 2:24-25, “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25-And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”

b. They assumed they were Law-keepers. But their hearts (inner thoughts) were full of evil, Mark 7:6-7, 20-23, “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7-Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 20-And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21-For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22-Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23-All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

4. Instead of repenting they accuse Jesus of having a demon, v. 20, “The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

a. People had said the same of John the Baptist, Matthew 11:18, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.”

b. Jesus had told His half-brothers the world hated Him, John 7:7, “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.”

c. Because “everyone who does evil hates the light,” John 3:20, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

III. THE LAST DAY OF THE FEAST, vs. 37-53

The Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated with certain festival rituals. One was a solemn procession each day from the temple to the Gihon Spring. A priest filled a gold pitcher with water while the choir sang Isaiah 12:3 “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Then they returned to the altar and poured out the water. This ritual reminded them of the water from the rock during the wilderness wanderings (Num. 20:8-11; Ps. 78:15-16).

A. This ritual also spoke prophetically of the coming days of Messiah, Zechariah 14:8, 16-19, “And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 16-And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17-And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 18-And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19-This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.”

B. Streams of living water will flow from within one who believes in Jesus. That is, he will have a continual source of satisfaction, which will provide life continually, John 4:14, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

C. John explained that the “living water” was the coming gift of the Holy Spirit, vs. 38-39, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39-(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

D. The debate about who Jesus was continued.

1. Some saw Him as the Prophet mentioned by Moses, Deuteronomy 18:15,18, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 18-I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”

2. Some said Jesus is the Christ, that is, the Messiah, but others rejected that idea because He came from Galilee, v. 52, “They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.”

CONCLUSION:

“And every man went unto his own house.” That ended the discussion for the moment.