Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? 27 But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.”
28 Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, 29 but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.”
30 At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 Still, many in the crowd believed in him. They said, “When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man?”
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him.
33 Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. 34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.”
35 The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?”
37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”[a] 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.”
41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.”
Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
Personal Reflection and Discussion
- Underline words and phrases in these verses that catch your attention. Why did you underline what you did?
- Who is saying what about Jesus in this passage? What is causing the confusion?*
- Why does Jesus’ teaching in verses 14-29 provoke the responses of verses 30-31? How do you account for the wide range of opinions about him? For the timing involved?*
- Every day at this feast, water would be poured out as a symbol of thanks for God’s provision. In this context, what does Jesus’ statement in verses 37-38 mean What are some ways that the Spirit’s work is like water (compare 4:13-14)*
- Jesus was a “person of interest” and undoubtedly the object of much discussion and debate among the masses and among the leaders. If you were to have listened in on some of the discussion and debate, what might you have heard?
- What feelings, hopes, fears, etc. do you think people were having?
- How might this have been similar to, and different from, our political scene today?
* Questions taken from the NIV Serendipity Bible, 10th Anniversary Edition, 1988, Zondervan
Prayer
Jesus, Jesus, once again John brings up the matter of timing. Help me to recognize, understand and make the most of your timing.
Jesus, I really like Your description of Your Spirit in this passage. You liken Your Spirit to “streams of living water.” This living water, Your Spirit, is not stagnant. It is living! It flows! May Your Spirit be alive in me today and may it liven me today. May it flow not only in me, but with Your love, may it flow through me; touching all with whom I come in contact.
Greek Word of the Day
English Word: true | Transliterated Word: alethinos (al-ay-thee-nos)
True, conformed to truth. In this case, LOVING truth, verocious and hence worthy of credit
Family Engagement Activity
Today, play hide-and-go-seek or a game of Sardines! If you haven’t played Sardines, it’s like hide-and-go seek, but once you find someone you hide near them as well. Stay hidden until the last person finds everyone. Let them know that Jesus can’t be seen in the flesh because He is preparing a place for us. At the same time, He is working through us. You don’t have to understand it all to witness your faith. Tell them what you KNOW to be true as you read through John.
OPTIONAL ADDITION
On the last turn, instead of you hiding, have a dessert they love hidden somewhere with their name on it! Teach them that Jesus is preparing a place for them now, that is why He is somewhere we cannot go.
Going Activities To Consider
Today, are you thirsty? What scripture might you need to hear today that will aid in quenching your thirst? Here is a great resource that organizes scripture by topic: https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/
ALSO
What verse of truth can you give to one other person today? Write someone today and include a verse that matches their needs. Quench a thirst.