Division Among Humans

John the Divine wrote the book of John and he discusses relationships among people. In the Bible Study class I am in today it’s the study of the Gospels.

John chapters 7 and 8

I. Division Among the People

II. An Adultress Forgiven – Law to the New Covenant

What is John 7 and 8 about?

John Chapters 7 and 8 

detail Jesus’s teachings and interactions with the Jewish people and leaders during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, revealing deep division over his identity. The chapters showcase Jesus’s divine authority while highlighting the escalating hostility against him. 

John Chapter 7

Jesus travels in secret to the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus’s half-brothers, who do not yet believe in him, challenge him to go to Judea publicly to gain notoriety. Jesus refuses, stating his time has not yet come, but later travels to the feast in secret. 

Division among the people. Upon his mysterious arrival, people in Jerusalem are divided over who Jesus is. Some speculate he is a good man, while others claim he is deceiving the public. Many fear the religious leaders and do not speak openly about him. 

Jesus teaches in the temple. Midway through the week, Jesus begins teaching openly in the temple courts. The crowds are astonished by his wisdom, as he had no formal religious training. 

• He confronts the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders, who are angry with him for healing on the Sabbath (John 5) even though they perform circumcision on the Sabbath.
• He declares that his teaching is not his own, but comes from the one who sent him, and that those who genuinely want to do God’s will can discern his message. 

The promise of the Holy Spirit. On the final day of the festival, Jesus cries out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37). He explains that those who believe in him will have “rivers of living water” flowing from within them, referring to the Holy Spirit who was to come after his glorification. 

Failed attempt to arrest Jesus. Throughout his public teaching, the religious authorities become more intent on arresting Jesus. However, they are repeatedly unsuccessful because “his hour had not yet come”. When temple guards are sent to arrest him, they return empty-handed, telling the Pharisees, “No one ever spoke the way this man does”. 

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John Chapter 8

The woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders test Jesus by bringing a woman caught in adultery and asking if she should be stoned according to the Law of Moses. Jesus responds, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her”. Her accusers leave one by one, and Jesus tells the woman, “Neither do I condemn you… Go now and leave your life of sin”. 

• (Note: This passage is not found in the earliest manuscripts of John’s Gospel, though most scholars believe it accurately represents an event from Jesus’s ministry). 

Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus contrasts his followers, who will have the light of life, with those who walk in darkness. He asserts that his testimony is valid because he is from God and was sent by him, although the Pharisees challenge this. 

“The truth will set you free.” Jesus speaks to some of the Jews who believed in him, telling them that if they hold to his teaching, they will know the truth and be set free. This leads to a heated debate as they claim they have never been slaves. Jesus responds that anyone who sins is a slave to sin, and true freedom comes from the Son. 

Debate over spiritual parentage. The argument intensifies as Jesus asserts that his opponents are not truly children of Abraham because they are seeking to kill him. He says that if God were their father, they would love him, but instead, their father is the devil. 

“Before Abraham was born, I am!” The chapter culminates with Jesus’s profound declaration of his divinity, using the divine name “I AM.” The religious leaders recognize this as blasphemy and attempt to stone him, but Jesus escapes.

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It must have been so hard for Jesus to not just quit this whole thing while in the flesh. I know the flesh wanted to quit. However, the spirit within him propelled him forward. The power of the spirit within us is incredible. It can overcome the flesh in all things. We ARE more than conquerors.

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[a]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39)

In the Bible, Jesus chose the twelve himself. Today, people try to chose GOD – I don’t think this is proper. That’s why Jesus says He doesn’t know them in Matthew 7 at judgment. Yahweh can not be manipulated nor gaslighted. Yahweh won’t be bullied or mocked.

How did Jesus chose His followers?

• A night of prayer: Before officially choosing the twelve apostles, Jesus spent the entire night praying to God on a mountainside. This act of communion shows that the selection was not a casual or spontaneous decision but a divinely guided one.
• A direct, personal invitation: Jesus personally called each of the disciples. The Gospel accounts describe these interactions:
  • Calling fishermen: He approached brothers Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and later James and John, while they were working on their boats by the Sea of Galilee. He told them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people,” and they immediately left their nets to follow him.
  • Calling a tax collector: In a more surprising choice, Jesus called Matthew (also known as Levi), a tax collector, to be a follower. Tax collectors were despised by the Jewish people for working for the Roman government. Matthew immediately left his booth to join Jesus, demonstrating that Jesus’s ministry was for all people, including outcasts.
  • Calling others: Other disciples, such as Philip and Nathanael, were also called directly by Jesus or were brought to him by friends.
• Choosing the Twelve Apostles: From the larger group of people who followed him, Jesus hand-picked twelve men to serve as his inner circle and apostles (“one who is sent out”). He appointed them for specific purposes, such as preaching, healing, and casting out demons, and commissioned them to spread his message after he was gone.
• Focusing on availability, not qualifications: The twelve men Jesus chose were not religious elites or scholars but a diverse group of ordinary people from various professions and backgrounds. This choice emphasized that anyone could be used by God, regardless of their status, education, or past mistakes.

Once you are Chosen, what do you do?

In a Christian theological context, being chosen by God is not an end in itself but the beginning of a life of purpose, service, and spiritual growth. The response to being chosen is an active journey of faith guided by God. 

1. Live a life of gratitude and holiness

The first response to being chosen is gratitude for God’s grace and unmerited favor. This gratitude leads to a desire to live a life that honors him.

• Embrace holiness: Being “holy” means being set apart for God’s purposes. For the chosen, this means dedicating one’s life to reflecting God’s character and living according to his will.
• Give thanks: A grateful heart is the foundation for a life of service. The chosen are called to declare the praises of God, who called them “out of darkness into his wonderful light”. 

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2. Grow in your relationship with God

A relationship with God is central to life as one of the chosen.

• Prioritize prayer: Prayer is a direct line of communication with God. The chosen are encouraged to build a daily prayer life to seek guidance, offer thanks, and intercede for others.
• Study God’s Word: Reading and meditating on the Bible is essential for spiritual growth. It serves as “spiritual food” that strengthens faith and provides instruction for living a life pleasing to God.
• Join a community of believers: Fellowship with other Christians in a local church provides a network for support, encouragement, and accountability. It is a vital part of spiritual growth. 

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3. Serve God and others

Being chosen carries with it a mission to participate in God’s redemptive work.

• Bear lasting fruit: Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you… that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16). This fruit includes helping others come to know God and building his kingdom.
• Act as an ambassador: The chosen are called to represent God’s kingdom and reflect Christ to the world around them through acts of kindness, compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience.
• Serve others sacrificially: Following the example of Jesus, the chosen serve others not for personal glory but out of love. This includes caring for the vulnerable, helping the needy, and offering hope and encouragement. 

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4. Persevere through trials

Being chosen does not exempt a person from facing challenges and difficulties.

• Expect trials: The chosen can expect to face trials and hardships that test their faith and refine their character. These challenges are intended to shape them into the image of God.
• Rely on God’s strength: Instead of giving up, the chosen must persevere through trials by trusting in God’s plan and relying on his strength to endure. God does not abandon those he has chosen but promises to be with them through difficult times.

The quote “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” comes from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians (4:13). When taken in its full context, it is not a declaration of unlimited personal potential but a testament to how Paul found contentment and resilience in any circumstance through his relationship with Christ. 

The context of Philippians 4:13

To understand Paul’s meaning, it is essential to look at the verses immediately before it:

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13). 

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The true meaning

The key points from this passage include:

• Paul’s circumstances: Paul wrote this while imprisoned in Rome, facing hardship and uncertainty. He wasn’t talking about winning a sporting event or achieving career success, but about enduring suffering and deprivation.
• Contentment in all situations: The “all things” Paul refers to are the varying circumstances of life—from having a lot to having very little. He had learned the secret to finding contentment and remaining faithful regardless of his material situation.
• Strength comes from Christ: Paul attributes his ability to persevere directly to Christ, not to his own power or determination. The strength to remain steadfast, content, and joyful in suffering comes from his relationship with and reliance on Christ.
• Dependence, not ambition: The verse teaches total reliance on Christ, countering the modern emphasis on self-sufficiency. It reminds believers that Christ’s strength is sufficient for every trial, particularly in the face of challenges that are beyond their control. 

In summary, the verse is not a blanket promise that believers can achieve anything they desire. It is a profound statement of faith that through a relationship with Christ, one can endure and remain content through every up and down that life brings.

Selah