Anchor My Faith

Time to Change Location

Scripture: John 7:2-5

In major section 13, we covered John chapter 5 where we found Jesus ministering in Judea. In major sections 14 through 17, Jesus spent his time ministering primarily around the Sea of Galilee. John refers to this time in John 7:1 (ESV): “After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him.” The “after this” refers to the time after major section 13. John does not say anything about this time Jesus spend away from Judea; a time of ministry that took 42 lessons to cover. However, there was an event coming up that would cause Jesus to return to Judea.

With this lesson, we begin the first of fifteen narratives found in this major section. Each of these narratives are from the gospel of John and cover chapters 7 through 10 and is believed to have occurred during September and October. Our study begins at the second verse of John chapter 7 with the announcement of a special feast: ^{Jn 7:2} “Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand.”

The Feast of Booths was a Jewish celebration that took place in September or October, two months prior to the Feast of Dedication. It is called the “Feast of Booths” because people lived in leafy shelters in remembrance of God’s faithfulness to Israel during her wilderness wanderings. We find this described in Leviticus 23:42 – 43 (ESV): ⁴² “You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, ⁴³ that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”

The feast took place in Jerusalem, a city where Jesus was hated by the Jews. ^{Jn 7:3} “[The brothers of Jesus] said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. ⁴ For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” ⁵ For not even his brothers believed in him.”

The “brothers of Jesus” is understood to be other naturally born sons of Mary. The Roman Catholic church rejects this because they believe that Mary remained a virgin and did not have any other naturally born children. They believe that Joseph had another wife and that these children are from her and not Mary. Some also say that these were not really brothers but cousins. Looking at Matthew 13:55, one finds it difficult to accept the Catholic position, because that verse reads: “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?”

We will end this lesson at this point and finish up this section with the next lesson.

Conclusion

As we draw closer to the cross, Jesus is about to change location and stir up trouble for himself with some very meaningful teaching, covered only in the gospel of John.