(1) 3 groups of audience
a. the crowd v.25-31, 37-44-some of them tried to seize Jesus, but n one laid a hand on him v.30
b. the Jewish leaders-who wants to kill Jesus v.35-36
c. the rulers (Pharisees and the chief priests)-who sent officers to arrest Jesus v.32-34,45-52
(2) Some of the people from the crowd and almost all of the rulers thought that Jesus was not the Messiah because where Jesus came from did not match what the Scriptures said. However, both of them have misunderstanding of the origin of Jesus
the misunderstanding of the crowd
v.27 But we know where this man comes from. Whenever the Christ comes, no one will know where he comes from.
(NET) Apparently OT prophetic passages like Mal 3:1 and Dan 9:25 were interpreted by some as indicating a sudden appearance of Messiah. It appears that this was not a universal view: The scribes summoned by Herod at the coming of the Magi in Matt 2 knew that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. It is important to remember that Jewish messianic expectations in the early 1st century were not monolithic.
In other words their doubt on Jesus was based on their misinterpretation of Scriptures. Plus, their rulers did not even agreed with them.
v.28 “You both know me and know where I come from! And I have not come on my own initiative, but the one who sent me is true.
(NET) It is best to take the words as irony: “So you know me and know where I am from, do you?” On the physical, literal level, they did know where he was from: Nazareth of Galilee (at least they thought they knew). But on another deeper (spiritual) level, they did not: He came from heaven, from the Father. Jesus insisted that he has not come on his own initiative (cf. 5:37), but at the bidding of the Father who sent him.
(NET) It is best to take the words as irony: “So you know me and know where I am from, do you?” On the physical, literal level, they did know where he was from: Nazareth of Galilee (at least they thought they knew). But on another deeper (spiritual) level, they did not: He came from heaven, from the Father. Jesus insisted that he has not come on his own initiative (cf. 5:37), but at the bidding of the Father who sent him.
Yet, many of the crowds believed, for Jesus did perform miraculous signs for them to know that He was from God v.31. That evidence was clear to them. The other might doubt because of their misunderstanding of Scriptures, but to the believers those are not important with this clearer evidence.
Reflection: There may be some part of the Scriptures we may not understand. However, there is clear evidence from most of the Scriptures, e.g. Jesus's deity, salvation from grace alone, etc. These believers become our example to follow them.
(3) The crowds were divided. Some had doubts and some believed. Therefore, twice in this passage, Jesus shouted v.28,37.
v.37 “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me, and 7:38 let the one who believes in me drink.
John told us that the living water was the Holy Spirit v.39. Their thirst was quenched by believing in Jesus. They can drink the water, the Holy Spirit. In other words, Jesus was the One who can give the Holy Spirit.
Reflection: We can think of all the reasons to doubt Jesus, but are we thirsty? Are we thirst for the Holy Spirit, or are we thirst for God? In other words, there is a type of thirst that only God can satisfy. Do we have that kind of thirst? When we believe in Jesus the water He has given is living and therefore, it can certainly quench our thirst. Once we believe in Jesus and have the Holy Spirit, our quest for God was totally satisfied.
Audrey
Reflection: We can think of all the reasons to doubt Jesus, but are we thirsty? Are we thirst for the Holy Spirit, or are we thirst for God? In other words, there is a type of thirst that only God can satisfy. Do we have that kind of thirst? When we believe in Jesus the water He has given is living and therefore, it can certainly quench our thirst. Once we believe in Jesus and have the Holy Spirit, our quest for God was totally satisfied.
Audrey
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