Misinterpreting Jesus

Delivered by: Rev. T.J. Campo

Scripture text: John 7:2-17, 25-37

2Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near.  3Therefore His brothers said to Him, "Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing.  4"For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world."  5For not even His brothers were believing in Him.  6So Jesus said to them, "My time is not yet here, but your time is always opportune.  7"The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil. 8"Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come." 9Having said these things to them, He stayed in Galilee. 10But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret. 11So the Jews were seeking Him at the feast and were saying, "Where is He?" 12There was much grumbling among the crowds concerning Him; some were saying, "He is a good man"; others were saying, "No, on the contrary, He leads the people astray." 13Yet no one was speaking openly of Him for fear of the Jews. 14But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach. 15The Jews then were astonished, saying, "How has this man become learned, having never been educated?" 16So Jesus answered them and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17"If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. 25So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, "Is this not the man whom they are seeking to kill? 26"Look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him. The rulers do not really know that this is the Christ, do they? 27"However, we know where this man is from; but whenever the Christ may come, no one knows where He is from." 28Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, "You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know.  29"I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me." 30So they were seeking to seize Him; and no man laid his hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.  31But many of the crowd believed in Him; and they were saying, "When the Christ comes, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has, will He?" 32The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about Him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to seize Him.  33Therefore Jesus said, "For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me.  34"You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come." 35The Jews then said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? He is not intending to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, is He? 36"What is this statement that He said, 'You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come'?" 37Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.