A study of John 7:14-24 reveals Jesus teaches with authority, two indicators for spiritual discernment, and the application of divine precedent.
A study of John 7:14-24 reveals Jesus teaches with authority.
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied? (ESV, John 7:15)
Jesus’ half-brothers encouraged him to attend the feast of the Tabernacles in Judea to gain public ministry exposure. Although Jeus didn’t share his plans, he quietly made the trip. But kept a low profile until halfway through the week when he publicly appeared in the temple to teach. Along with sacrifice, prayer, and worship, people frequently gathered in the outer courts for religious instruction.
Rabbis, scribes, and teachers of the law often taught and engaged in public discussion. Scribes were experts in the Mosaic Law, oral traditions, and official interpreters of the Torah. Rabbis were teachers who formally trained under another rabbi. And priests and Levites also taught the Law.
Jesus impressed the crowd with his sermon on the Mount in Galilee
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. (ESV, Matthew 7:28-29)
The religious leaders believed only prophets and divine messengers could speak for God with authority and define truth. Prophets often declared, “Thus says the Lord.” However, the religious leaders were merely men and limited to interpreting what was given. So when teaching, they carefully referenced other well-known teachers and oral traditions.
But during the sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “I tell you.” He didn’t just speak FOR God, but AS God by directly interpreting and applying the Old Testament law. The people listening in the Jerusalem temple also marveled at his teaching. And asked among themselves how someone with no formal rabinnic training was so learned.
A study of John 7:14-24 reveals two indicators for spiritual discernment.
So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. (ESV, John 7:16-18)
Jesus knows what they are saying and addresses the topic of authority. First he affirms his authority is from the father who sent him. Saying he came from the father was claiming divinity. Therefore, he had full authority to personally own his words. Then Jesus provides two indicators for discerning authoritative teaching. One addresses the seeker and the other the teacher.
When the seeker wills to do God’s will.
At first glance, this appears an unusual requirement. Because we tend to consider discernment a form of special revelation. Like a vision or dream. The Holy Spirit speaking in a still, small voice or illuminating scripture reading. However, this statement suggests something else.
The Greek word for “do” is poiéō, which means to create, make, do, and act. In other words, the seeker wants more than to know God’s will but to act on it in obedience. And this often involves faith and trust in God. Scripture tells many stories of God’s people obediently acting on faith without knowing the outcome. And one clear course of action we can all take is to pursue righteousness. It does not just lead towards God’s will. But fulfills it.
When the teacher seeks God’s glory rather than his own.
Jesus declared God’s truth to glorify God and not himself. Today, we see this practiced by teachers and preachers who demonstrate genuine humility. Not through self-effacing claims, which really draw attention to themselves. But a sense of reverence for and careful examination of scripture that draws out its meaning and directs our attention to God.
A study of John 7:14-24 reveals the application of divine precedence
If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? (ESV, John 7:23)
The last time Jesus was in Jerusalem, he healed a lame man and told him to pick up his mat and go home. Rather than celebrate the miracle, the religious leaders objected because Jesus performed it on a sabbath. Here, Jesus refers to that miracle. Perhaps because he heard them muttering about it. The fact that Jesus performed a number of miracles on the sabbath became a major sticking point between him and the religious leaders. Of course, it was just an excuse. The real problem was jealousy and Jesus’ threat to their power.
Jesus uses the Jewish law on circumcision to make a point. Although he mentions Moses in the passage, God actually commanded Abraham to circumcise all male babies on the eighth day after birth in Genesis 17:9–14. At first glance, it appears the point is if the eighth day after birth falls on the sabbath, they break it to keep the law of circumcision. But that meaning presents a problem. Because it concedes Jesus did the same thing by healing on the sabbath.
A matter of divine precedence
Let’s consider two other occasions Jesus addressed this topic.
On the first, Jesus and his disciples crossed through a grainfield on a sabbath. His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate out of hunger, and the Pharisees accused them of breaking the Sabbath.
And Jesus answered them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?” (ESV, Luke 6:3-4)
On the second, Jesus encounters a man with a withered hand in the synagogue. Before healing the man the religious leaders ask him if it’s lawful to heal on the sabbath because they wanted to accuse him of breaking the sabbath law. And Jesus responds with a question.
He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (ESV, Matthew 12:11-12)
And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” (ESV, Mark 2:27-28)
So what’s the point? Yes. Observing the sabbath is important. But there are times when other concerns take precedence over it. And doing good like healing someone qualifies as more important. Furthermore, the Son of God is Lord over the sabbath. And has the right to supercede it to further his divine purpose.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
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