John [chapter 7]

Wednesday Walk into the Word
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN 요한복음 (part 8):
Judge with Right Judgment 공의롭게 판단하라 (7:1-52)

THE TIMING OF RIGHT JUDGMENT (7:1-24)
(Question #1) Another important Jewish feast was at hand – the feast of booths – a weeklong celebration in September or October when families camped out in temporary booths or shelters of makeshift leaves and branches to remember God’s faithfulness to Israel during the wilderness journey from the bondage of slavery in Egypt to the promised land, led by Moses. Many Jews at that time made their way to Judea to celebrate this feast, but why did Jesus initially decide not to go (verse 1-2)?
[*REFLECT #1a] Why were the Jews seeking to kill Jesus (see John 5:18)?
[*REFLECT #1b] Why did Jesus’ own brothers want Him to go to Judea (verse 3-4)?
[*REFLECT #1c] When have we demanded of God to show Himself? When have we felt He only works in secret?
[*REFLECT #1d] Why did Jesus refuse the request of His brothers (verse 5-9)?
[*REFLECT #1e] Why does the world hate Jesus Christ (see verse 8)? How is God convicting what is evil within you?
(Question #2) Although initially Jesus decided not to go up to the feast, what does He do now and why (verse 10-11)?
[*REFLECT #2a] Just as Jesus waited for his brothers to leave and avoid the watching eyes of the hostile Jews, when is a time God had to wait to act in your life, or privatize Himself due to what was within your heart?
[*REFLECT #2b] When Jesus came to Judea for the feast, what were people muttering about Him and why were they unable to speak openly (verse 12-13)?
[*REFLECT #2c] What is being muttered (privately expressed dissatisfaction) about Jesus in our world today, and are we speaking openly against it?
[*REFLECT #2d] Why did the Jews marvel at Jesus' teaching (verse 14-15)? How do we know a teaching is from God or not (verse 16-18)?
[*REFLECT #2e] It was clear the crowds were deceiving themselves, having murderous intentions towards Jesus yet still marveling at what He taught and did. Yet again, they claimed Jesus was possessed by a demon when He began to point out the evil within them. What issue was the root of the anger within them (verse 19-24)? What issue is the root within your heart that draws near to, or draws away from Jesus?

THE SOURCE OF RIGHT JUDGMENT (7:25-31)
(Question #3) It is a tragedy when those outside of Christ can judge even better than those in Christ. What do the other people gathered in Jerusalem say about the crowds and about Jesus (verse 25-27)?
(Question #4) This group of people had better judgment, but it was still partial. They did not know where the Christ (the Savior) will come from. How does Jesus answer them (verse 28-29)?
(Question #5) Although Jesus' answer further angered the crowd, why couldn't they lay a hand of Jesus (verse 30)? Among the mix of people, many believed in Jesus, but not completely. What were they still seeking (verse 31)?

RIVERS OF RIGHT JUDGMENT (7:32-39)
(Question #6) What did Jesus mean by saying, "you will seek me and you will not find me" and "where I am you cannot come" (verse 32-36)? When is a time you have sought to seek God in the wrong places? Where is the right place to go?
(Question #7) Who does Jesus say can come to Him and drink (verse 37)? What is living water referring to (verse 38-39)?

DIVISIVE JUDGMENT (7:40-52)
(Question #8) When we speculate about Jesus instead of surrender to Jesus, what happens (verse 40-44)? Are we united or divided?
(Question #9) Like Nicodemus, before our predetermined opinions, what should we do (verse 45-52)? Is our heart open to it?