Expository Thoughts On John - JOHN 7:25-36
J.C. Ryle expounds on John 7:25-36 to reveal the spiritual blindness of unbelievers and the divine authority and mission of Jesus Christ.
In this expository sermon on John 7:25-36, J.C. Ryle explores the tension surrounding Jesus' identity during His ministry in Jerusalem. He highlights the spiritual blindness of the Jewish leaders and the divine authority with which Jesus speaks and acts. Ryle carefully unpacks Jesus' words about His mission and the rejection He faced, encouraging believers to recognize the significance of Christ's divine sending and timing.
Text
Questions about Jesus’ Identity
Then some of the residents of Jerusalem began to say, "Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? Yet here he is, speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to him. Do the rulers really know that this man is the Christ? But we know where this man comes from. Whenever the Christ comes, no one will know where he comes from."
Then Jesus, while teaching in the temple courts, cried out, "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. You do not know him, but I know him, because I have come from him and he sent me."
So then they tried to seize Jesus, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. Yet many of the crowd believed in him and said, "Whenever the Christ comes, he won’t perform more miraculous signs than this man did, will he?"
The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things about Jesus, so the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. Then Jesus said, "I will be with you for only a little while longer, and then I am going to the one who sent me. You will look for me but will not find me, and where I am you cannot come."
Then the Jews who were hostile to Jesus said to one another, "Where is he going to go that we cannot find him? He is not going to go to the Jewish people dispersed among the Greeks and teach the Greeks, is he? What did he mean by saying, ‘You will look for me but will not find me, and where I am you cannot come’?"
We see in these verses, the obstinate blindness of the unbelieving Jews. We find them defending their denial of our Lord\
Sermon Outline
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I
- Questions about Jesus' identity among Jerusalem residents
- Confusion over the origin of the Christ
- Jesus' declaration of divine sending
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II
- Attempts to seize Jesus thwarted by divine timing
- Belief of many in Jesus' miraculous works
- Pharisees' hostility and attempts to arrest Jesus
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III
- Jesus' prophecy of departure and rejection
- Unbelief and misunderstanding of Jesus' mission
- Spiritual blindness of the Jewish leaders
Key Quotes
“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.” — J.C. Ryle
“No one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.” — J.C. Ryle
“We see in these verses, the obstinate blindness of the unbelieving Jews.” — J.C. Ryle
Application Points
- Recognize the importance of discerning Jesus' true identity beyond outward appearances.
- Trust in God's perfect timing even when facing opposition or misunderstanding.
- Guard against spiritual blindness by seeking to know God through His Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main question the people of Jerusalem have about Jesus?
They question whether Jesus is truly the Christ and where He comes from.
Why were the Pharisees trying to arrest Jesus?
Because they were hostile to Him and threatened by His teachings and growing following.
What does Jesus mean when He says, 'You will look for me but will not find me'?
He is referring to His impending departure and ascension to the Father, where His enemies cannot follow.
What does the sermon say about the unbelief of the Jewish leaders?
It highlights their obstinate spiritual blindness and denial of Jesus despite His clear signs.