New Testament: John 7.32–36

To read the Bible in a year, read John 7.32–53 on May 20, In the year of our Lord Christ 2023

By Don Ruhl 

As Jesus taught and worked miracles, many wondered whether he was the Christ. The Pharisees would have none of that, so, they decided to arrest him (John 7.32). 

Knowing that the Pharisees had taken such action, Jesus said, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come” (John 7.33–34). 

The decision of the Pharisees hastened the time when Jesus would leave this world. However, when the Jews heard Jesus speak those words, listen to how they responded: “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?” (John 7.35–36). 

These particular Jews so despised the Greeks that they would never think of going among them. Therefore, when Jesus spoke of going somewhere that those Jews could not or would not follow him, they imagined that he was probably going among the Greeks. Their prejudice against a certain people led them to disbelieve Jesus. 

Jesus accepts people of all languages, nationalities, and all other backgrounds.

Questions: 

• Does it cause you to stumble that Jesus accepts all people? 
• If you cannot in your heart accept people, will Jesus accept you? 

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Don preaches with the Savage Street Church of Christ in Grants Pass, Oregon. 

Listen to his sermons here: GrantsPassChurchOfChrist.com