Without Limit

John 7:32-39

32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. 33 Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. 34 You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come” 35 The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36 What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?”. 37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Notes

The Jewish authorities intended to arrest Jesus but could not, even though He was in public. Jesus taught at the temple at the Feast of Booths, and many marveled at His teachings. The crowd had mixed reactions to Jesus. Some would believe, yet others would doubt. Whether they doubted or believed, Jesus clarified that He was from the Father. As the Father sent Him, Jesus would one day return to the Father. But it was not yet time, even though the intent to arrest and kill Him pervaded. The Father would use the hostile Jews for His purpose, ushering in the greatest sacrifice in History.

1. Response

   The Pharisees wanted to arrest and kill Him. His response expressed that He knew He would die soon, which meant that He would return to the Father. Thus, He explained the people would not be able to find Him, nor would they be able to join Him.

   
   32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. 33 Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. 34 You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come” (John 7:32-34)
   

2. Speculations

   The Jews raised some questions. Where would He go where no one could find Him? Some speculated that He was going to the Jews who lived among the Jews who lived outside Jerusalem.
   
   35 The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36 What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?” (John 7:35-36).

3. The Spirit

   On the last day of the feast, Jesus spoke about rivers of living water, which referred to the Spirit. Those who believe will receive the Spirit in due time, but the Spirit has not been given because Jesus has not yet risen from the dead and has not yet ascended back to the Father.

   
   37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:37-39).

Application

1. Home to the Father

   The people could not go where Jesus was going because He had not died and risen. Now, we can go to the Father through Christ Jesus. What was once closed is not open to those who genuinely believe.

2. No Speculations

   The people speculated about His would-be whereabouts, but we do not speculate. We know that He is, in the highest authority to execute the plan of the Father, seated at His right hand. Jesus is sovereign over all kingdoms and all people. We may even say that He is sovereign over every molecule.

3. Know the Spirit

   God gives the Spirit to all who believe. The Spirit quenches the spiritual thirst of those who believe. Let us remember that Jesus mentioned the Spirit in relation to His words. When we genuinely believe in the gospel, we receive the Spirit.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What was the response of Jesus to those who intended to arrest and kill Him?

2. What were the speculations among the crowd?

3. How did Jesus introduce the Spirit?