John 7:25–36 - 25 So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is this not the man whom they are seeking to kill? 26 “Look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him. The rulers do not really know that this is the Christ, do they? 27 “However, we know where this man is from; but whenever the Christ may come, no one knows where He is from.” 28 Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. 29 “I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.” 30 So they were seeking to seize Him; and no man laid his hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. 31 But many of the crowd believed in Him; and they were saying, “When the Christ comes, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has, will He?” 32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about Him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to seize Him. 33 Therefore Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me. 34 “You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” 35 The Jews then said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? He is not intending to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, is He? 36 “What is this statement that He said, ‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?”
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, some people in Jerusalem were debating about Jesus. They wondered if He could be the Messiah since their leaders wanted to kill Him. Yet they questioned this because they knew where Jesus came from, and they believed no one would know the Messiah's origins (vv. 25-27). Jesus spoke up in the temple, telling them that although they knew His earthly home, they did not know His true origin from God the Father who sent Him (vv. 28-31). The religious authorities then tried to have Jesus arrested. Jesus told them He would stay a little while longer before going back to the One who sent Him. They would look for Him but would not find Him because they could not go where He was going (vv. 32-36).
How can I apply John 7:25-36 to my life?
In a world filled with endless opinions and conflicting beliefs, Jesus stands as the ultimate dividing line. The passage today shows people wrestling with Jesus's identity - some believing, others rejecting, and many caught in confusion. Their struggle mirrors our modern experience. Society bombards us with different views about Jesus, creating a fog of uncertainty that can cloud our vision of His true nature. Yet Jesus did not leave room for partial acceptance or casual interest. He declared His divine origin with unmistakable clarity. His words cut through human arguments and demanded a response. The same choice faces everyone today - to accept or reject Jesus as God's Son. This decision carries eternal consequences. The religious leaders in Jerusalem missed their opportunity because they could not see past their own ideas about how God should work. Their story serves as both a warning and a guide for us. God wants us to move beyond surface-level knowledge about Jesus to a deep, life-changing faith in Him as Lord. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Look Beyond Human Logic to See Jesus's True Identity (vv. 25-27): The people in Jerusalem let their human reasoning block their ability to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Our minds work much the same way today. We want proof. We demand explanations. We seek answers that fit neatly into our predetermined boxes of understanding. Some look at Jesus and see nothing more than a wise teacher who lived long ago. "He came from Nazareth," they say, "We know His family." Yet God's truth shatters these comfortable human categories. The infinite cannot be contained by finite minds. Our brains strain against supernatural realities, searching for logical explanations when faith is required instead. Think about how often we dissect and analyze rather than simply trust. We create elaborate systems of thought to explain away the divine, missing the awesome reality standing right in front of us. God calls us to something better - to look past our intellectual barriers and see Jesus as He is. This means letting go of our need to have everything make perfect sense to our limited understanding. The truth about Jesus often lies beyond the reach of human wisdom alone. Like a bird trying to empty the ocean with its tiny beak, we cannot fully grasp divine mysteries with mere human thinking. But when we set aside our demands for complete comprehension, amazing things happen. Our eyes open to see Jesus in His true identity: the eternal Son of God, sent from heaven to give us life. This requires humility - an admission that some things about Jesus will always exceed our ability to fully understand (1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Isaiah 55:8-9, Matthew 16:13-17).
Food for Thought: What false ideas about Jesus do you need to let go of to see Him as He truly is? How has trying to understand Jesus through human wisdom alone limited your relationship with Him?
2. Recognize Jesus's Divine Mission and Authority (vv. 28-31): Jesus boldly declared His divine origin and mission to the crowds in Jerusalem. It takes real courage in today's world to stand firm on the truth of who Jesus is. People often create a customized version of Jesus that makes them feel comfortable - like ordering from a spiritual menu. Some pick the gentle teacher who never offends anyone. Others choose the social activist who fights for justice but never mentions sin. Yet Jesus stands before us as so much more. He comes with the full weight of heaven's authority, speaking truth that splits through our carefully constructed ideas like lightning through the night sky. His power extends beyond anything we can imagine. Following Jesus turns our normal way of life upside down. We discover that our plans, our money, even our closest relationships must bow to His authority. This is not about adding a few religious habits to our weekly schedule. Jesus demands the throne of our lives - no partial commitments allowed. When this truth really sinks in, it shakes us to the core. We realize we cannot keep certain areas of life marked "private" or "off limits" to His authority. Some days this feels overwhelming. Our independent spirit fights against such complete surrender. But Jesus did not leave heaven and come to earth just to be our personal life coach or spiritual advisor. He came as the divine Son, carrying His Father's full authority. This truth strips away our illusions of self-rule. God calls us to stop playing games with partial obedience and place our whole lives under Jesus's leadership. When we finally let go of control, we find something amazing - the freedom that comes only through full surrender to His perfect will (Philippians 2:9-11, Colossians 1:15-20, Matthew 28:18-20).
Food for Thought: What areas of your life have you not fully surrendered to Jesus's authority? How would your daily choices change if you lived with complete trust in Jesus's divine power and mission?
3. Respond to Jesus Before It Is Too Late (vv. 32-36): The religious leaders tried to arrest Jesus, but He told them His time had not yet come and soon they would not be able to find Him. Opportunities fly past us with frightening speed. One minute they sparkle with possibility, and the next they vanish like smoke in the wind. People drift through life thinking they have all the time in the world to figure out what they believe about Jesus. They pack their schedules with deadlines and appointments while the biggest decision of their existence gets pushed aside for another day. Yet time keeps moving. The clock ticks forward, and none of us knows how many more chances we will get. Those religious leaders in Jerusalem stood right next to God's Son. They heard His voice. They saw His power. Still, their stubborn pride got in the way, and they missed their moment forever. Their story hits close to home. People today walk past churches, scroll through Bible verses online, or hear Christians talk about Jesus, but they keep walking, keep scrolling, keep turning away. Each rejection makes the next one easier. Each delayed decision builds another brick in the wall between them and God. The gospel message burns with urgency because lives hang in the balance. When we truly understand what is at stake, staying quiet becomes impossible. Our neighbors, friends, and family members need Jesus now - not next week, next month, or next year. God places us in their lives for this exact purpose. We carry the message that can change their eternal destiny. The time for half-measures and polite silence has passed. People are moving toward eternity at full speed, and they need to know about Jesus today (Hebrews 3:7-8, 2 Corinthians 6:2, James 4:13-14).
Food for Thought: What keeps you from sharing the gospel with people who need to hear it? How does understanding the urgency of salvation change your priorities in life?
Truth speaks with clarity through this passage. Jesus declared His divine identity to people trapped in confusion and doubt. His words still cut straight to the heart today. When we push past our limited human understanding, a life-changing reality unfolds before us. Jesus stands as more than a historical figure or religious teacher - He exists as the eternal Son of God, sent from heaven with full divine authority. His presence forces us to make a choice that impacts our eternal future. This decision cannot wait for a more convenient season or a time when everything makes perfect sense to our minds. Right now, Jesus offers life to all who will trust Him. The religious leaders in Jerusalem show us the tragic cost of waiting too long or holding too tightly to human wisdom. Their story pushes us toward action. Each day brings fresh chances to place our complete trust in Jesus and to share His message with others who need to hear it. The truth about Jesus demands more than casual interest or partial commitment - it calls for wholehearted faith in Him as Lord. Eternal life flows from this decision. The evidence of His deity stands clear. The path to life lies open. The time to respond is now.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would open my eyes to see Jesus as He truly is - Your divine Son sent from heaven. Break down the walls of human logic and pride that keep me from accepting hard truths about Him. I pray that You would give me faith that goes beyond what my limited mind can understand. Show me the areas of my life where I still try to maintain control instead of submitting to Jesus's authority.
I pray that You would help me live each day with the reality of Jesus's divine power and mission clearly in focus. Give me courage to stand firm on the truth about Him even when others disagree and transform my priorities and choices to match His perfect will for my life.
I pray that You would fill me with urgency to share the gospel while there is still time. Remove my fear and hesitation about telling others about Jesus. Help me see people through Your eyes - as souls moving toward eternity who need to hear about salvation. Give me boldness to speak up when opportunities come. Guard me from the trap of delaying important spiritual decisions in my own life.
I pray that You would give me wisdom to apply these lessons in practical ways. Thank You for sending Jesus to give us eternal life through faith in Him.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
John 7:28-29 - 28 Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. 29 “I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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