(1) The distinction between the Jewish leaders and the crowd
The Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus and were looking for Him v.11. The crowds might know some opposition between the leaders and Jesus and therefore they would not discuss openly about Jesus v.12. However, they might not know that the leaders' plot to kill Jesus v.20. Therefore, Jesus told them why the leaders wanted to kill Him v.21-23 and called for their own judgment v.24.
(2) Jesus's teaching showed that He was sent from the Father v.16, but only those who seek to do God's will will know that v.17.
(PNTC) it. Divine revelation can only be assessed, as it were, from the inside. From that perspective the person who chooses to do God’s will discovers that Jesus’ teaching articulates it, that Jesus does not speak on his own but as the Word of God
In other words, whether someone spoke from God (like Jesus) was not judged based on book knowledge, but based on the relationship one has with God. The judgment was spiritual.
(3) What Jesus said implied that the Jewish leaders did not know Jesus because they themselves did not do God's will. Therefore, Jesus pointed out that they did not keep the Law! v.19
7:22 However, because Moses gave you the practice of circumcision (not that it came from Moses, but from the forefathers), you circumcise a male child on the Sabbath.
(BKC) His healing of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda, which He had performed in Jerusalem at His last visit (5:1–18). This started a fierce controversy...Under the Mosaic Law, “On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised” (Lev. 12:3). If that day fell on a Sabbath, circumcising a boy would seemingly violate the Sabbath Law of rest. Yet the Jews circumcised on the Sabbath. Therefore, Jesus argued, if care for one part of the body was permitted, then certainly the healing of a whole body (that of the paralytic) should be allowed on the Sabbath. Hence they had no reason to be angry with Him.
Reflection: Jesus encouraged the crowd to make judgment on their own, not blindly following their leaders. In order words, they were accountable to what they heard. Are we an active listener? Do we think through the Sunday's sermon, Sunday school teaching, etc?
Jesus also accused the Jewish leaders for not following God's will and therefore they could not make the right judgment. As a leader of the people, they did not have a spiritual relationship with God. Are we like that as a parent/teacher? Do we have a spiritual relationship with God before we teach our kids? Are we also like them who had only head knowledge but never obeying God? Are we hearer only and not the doer? Do we even remember God's words or read God's words?
The Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus based on their false judgment that Jesus had violated the Sabbath. They were inconsistent because they allowed circumcision to be done on Sabbath, but not Jesus' healing the paralytic man on Sabbath. Do we have inconsistency in our thinking? Do we only excuse ourselves when we make mistakes but we are harsh towards others when they fail?
Audrey
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