The gospel of John: Jesus: His controversy, His claims, His call

John 7:1-13, 40-52 ESV

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world." For not even his brothers believed in him. Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.  The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.  You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come."  After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, "Where is he?" 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." Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him. When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This really is the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" The officers answered, "No one ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed." Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee."

The controversy

Who is Jesus? This question was answered so many ways. Some thought he was the Messiah. Some thought he was a good man. Others thought him a prophet. Others thought Him demon possessed. Some were confused. Even to this day, He is considered many different things. Take a survey of people on the street and you will get a variety of answers.

Matthew 10:34-36 ESV

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.

Why such division? He does not come to divide; He is the prince of peace. So what does this mean? So from where does this division come? It comes from His claims. He claims to be the  savior of the world and the Lord of all things. This is not some sort of advice. Many religions and beliefs give advice. This is not what Christianity claims. Jesus is saying that our morality is insufficient. He needs to come and save us. That is why people are offended. As believers, we need to keep in mind that this range of reactions is to be expected. Some hated Jesus, so we should also expect hatred as well. The claims he makes are deeply offensive.

John 15:18-20 ESV

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you: "A servant is not greater than his master." If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

For those who are finding difficulty in professing faith, be encouraged. Jesus said that Christians will experience the same things as He did. For those who have a faith that does not offend anyone or no edge, consider what kind of faith you have. Have you placed your faith in the claims that Jesus gave?

Examine the claim

He is not just a prophet or a good man. He was either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. If He was lying, then why such offensive teachings...why parables? That's no way to become popular. What if he's crazy? Then how come His teachings are so wise, so true, so consistent. Attested to by thousands and millions. Even non believers would say that he was wise. Then that leaves the last option. He is God made flesh, Son of God, Messiah, and Lord.

What is the proper response?

If Jesus is God, then we should accept God's Lordship over every area of our lives. No exceptions. Nothing held out of the agreement. We will not keep any area of our lives out of His reach. God will reveal Jesus to those who will follow divine truth. It does no good to reveal divine truth to those who will not do them. Withhold nothing from the Lordship of Jesus.  He is not just a healer, but also a surgeon; not only your best friend, but also the Lord of Lords.