Bible Study Notes - John 7:14-24

Bible Study Notes John 7:14-24

Judging by appearances can be deceiving.  Have you ever received a well-wrapped gift?  The paper was very nice and beautiful.  A striking color scheme ran through the paper.  An impressive bow adorns the package.  Perhaps, an embossed designer box holds the gift.  By all external appearances, you have just been given a significant gift.  Then, you open the box; immediately, your facial expression of expectancy and enthusiasm becomes a crestfallen, dour reaction of disappointment as you realize you were given a cheap gift.  I recall a vase made of very cheap glass and carved haphazardly that was given to my wife and me as a wedding gift.  It came in very nice wrapping paper with an artistically styled bow.  Judging by appearances can disillusion you.

An enduring adage, “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” warns us against basing our judgments solely on external factors.  Someone with degrees is not necessarily an educated person as he or she may subscribe to any number of prejudices and superstitions.  Being well-dressed does not necessarily equate with being financially well-off.  An organized co-worker may simply maintain a veneer of substance; a thorough of his or her skills, abilities and productivity may yield an utter lack of substance and purpose.  A religiously committed person who faithfully practice rituals and observes creeds is not necessarily on a spiritual quest.  He may simply seek self-righteousness and self-aggrandizement as other people observe his piety and service.  Again, judging by appearances can disillusion you.

“Everything that glitters is not gold!”  In the gold rush of 1849 in California, many people were deceived as they purchased pyrite, fool’s gold, which closely resembled real gold.  Settling for an external appraisal, many persons lost precious and hard-earned money as the “gold” they bought did not possess any intrinsic value.  The shadow of pyrite cloaked its worthless substance.  Moreover, the marketplace has a niche for imitation and synthetic products such as pleather, costume jewelry, vinyl and other types of “knock offs” that very closely resemble authentic items.  The recent success of counterfeiters forces the U S Treasury Department and Federal Reserve Bank to improve currency printing.  Consumers and retailers must devise ways of detecting counterfeit money as it looks and smells like the real notes. 

In this passage, the evangelist challenges his listeners and readers to apply strict scrutiny to their faith and spirituality.  As Jesus teaches the crowds at the Feast of Tabernacles, He warns them of the danger of judging by appearances.  As disciples grow spiritually, they train themselves to examine people and situations with an inner, spiritual eye.  Similarly, they listen with an inner, spiritual ear.  In many instances, what people fail to say is more important than what they say.  Their actions do indeed speak more loudly than their words.  Accordingly, disciples learn to differentiate between repetitive religiosity, righteous ritualism and prideful pietism and authentic spirituality which necessitate genuine reliance upon Almighty God.

One of the benefits of examining circumstances with an inner, spiritual eye is the ability to find hope in the rubble of disaster.  Where others see tragedy, disciples see God’s trustworthiness and faithfulness.  Obstacles become opportunities.  Disciples find success in situations that other characterize as failures.  Pain provides certain venues for spiritual growth.  Disciples welcome rain knowing it causes natural and spiritual growth.  Problems become possibilities for personal and character development.  Disciples discover life in the midst of death. 

Consider the following ideas and questions as you study the text.

·         At the mid-way point of the feast, Jesus teaches the people in the temple courts.  The evangelist emphasizes the critical nature of teaching and thereby empowering the masses.  Several of the great ancient philosophers, Plato, Aristotle and Socrates, taught large crowds in public spaces.  In Harlem during the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, countercultural protesters taught the people at “UCLA,” the “University at the Corner of Lenox Avenue.”  In an attempt to draw the masses closer to the Heavenly Father, Jesus teaches them to progress beyond the religious devotion of attending perennial feasts and develop a more vibrant relationship with God.

·         The Bible says, “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”  Discipleship development depends significantly upon learning, internalizing and applying the Word of God in daily living.  Teaching the wisdom and knowledge (experiential as well as theoretical) is necessary to equip disciples in their spiritual quests.

·         The Jews are amazed when they consider the riches of Jesus’ teaching given He has not completed any formal study of the Law and Prophets.  “How did this man get this learning without having been taught?”  They sought to question the authority of Jesus’ teaching because of the lack of credentials.  Jesus had not attended the school of the prophets.  He does not have any linage to the great rabbinical schools of Hillel and Gamaliel.  Judging Jesus’ outward appearance of being a poor carpenter who may have been illiterate and hailing from Galilee, a backwater, rural and unlearned area, the Jewish teachers seek to dismiss His teachings.

·         Ironically, the religious leaders who by all external factors had knowledge and relationship with God because of their training actually use their education to oppress the people and maintain their economic, political and social power.  The people who seemingly know the most about God really know the least from an experiential perspective.  In contrast, Jesus teaches unlearned people about the wonders and wisdom of God though neither He nor they know the body of writings.

·         Take a moment and consider the few learned and educated people whom you know though they do not have any formal degrees.  Malcolm X was one of the leaders of the Black Power Movement and contributed greatly to the decolonization of the African American mind in response to White supremacy and hegemony though he did have any collegiate or graduate school degrees.  James Baldwin was one of the most prolific and provocative American novelists though he too did have any graduate school training.  My late paternal grandfather and my late father-in-law were learned and knowledgeable men in the truest use of those words though both of their educational training ended in their grade school years.

·         Jesus hastens to state, “My teaching is not my own.  It comes from Him who sent me.”  Through the Holy Spirit, God graciously and generously bestows the gifts of wisdom, knowledge and discernment to anyone who seeks them.  Wisdom is the ability to apply training and learning to appropriate situations in daily living.  You do not smash a gnat with a sledgehammer.  “Discretion is the better part of valor.”  The Lord equips us with divine wisdom to enable us to build the kingdom of God by establishing love, truth and justice as the enduring principles and riches of life. 

·         My grandfather shared a bit of godly wisdom with me as we evaluated the Watergate scandal of the mid-1970s. In his Southern African American idiom, he characterized education as “a wake up.”  Knowledge and learning merely wake up what lies dormant in a person’s character.  Granddaddy said President Nixon’s advisors were learned and formally educated thieves and fools.  Their training and degrees awakened the deceit and criminality within them.

·         The word, education, evolves from the Latin word, educo, educare, which means to lead out of darkness into light.  Educated people leave the darkness of ignorance, prejudice and uninformed assumptions.  Accordingly, Christian education which depends primarily upon the Word of God leads disciples out of the darkness of living as the world does and into the light of emulating the mind, heart and character of Christ.

·         To assess correctly whether Jesus’ teaching is legitimate, you must be willing to do the will of God.  Divine knowledge and wisdom emerges for disciples as they rightly relate themselves to Almighty God.  The Heavenly Father shares His will and intentions with those persons who choose to relate to Him.  In Genesis 18, God asks Himself, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?”  This self-reflective question precedes God’s judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah.  He chooses to tell Abraham about His forthcoming wrath because of His relationship with Abraham.  Divine knowledge is as experiential and relational as it is theoretical.

·         The faithful practice of spiritual disciplines such as self-evaluation, prayer, affirmation, meditation, Bible study, imaging and daily quiet times empowers disciples as they grow in relationship with God.  Admittedly, this list is not exhaustive and there are other forms of spiritual growth and Christian growth. 

·         Yet, with knowledge of God’s will, you avoid judging by appearances.

·         Jesus contrasts seeking personal honor with doing God’s will.  The religious leaders dismiss Jesus’ teaching because of His mere appearances.  Again, they point to his clothing, neighborhood, shoes, credentials, lack of degrees, family history and legacy as “evidence” with which to disregard His teachings.

·         In seeking personal glory, a person by default does not seek God’s glory.  These words are an exhortation to those persons who teach and minister in other ways.  Quickly and easily, such persons can lapse into self-glorification.  One compliment too many can tip that scale.  In receiving words of affirmation, it is advisable immediately to give God glory and thanksgiving to God as the Source of your learning, knowledge and abilities.

·         Jesus then asks the Jewish leaders who seek His death why they fail to keep the Law of Moses about which they brag.  God gave them the Law to reveal His holy character and provide practical means for them to relate rightly to Him.  Whereas they chide Jesus for His lack of training, they do not adhere to the principles of the Law which they cite as their defense.  Judging by outward appearances, their knowledge of the Law should reasonably yield their adherence and allegiance.  Jesus notes this disconnect.  He encourages the people whom He teaches to internalize the primary principles and cardinal lessons of the Law which is a right relationship with God.

·         Nearly a decade ago in the State of Alabama, a movement led by a former State Supreme Court Justice demanded the public display of The Ten Commandments in the main courthouse. A national vigil occurred outside of the courthouse.  Interestingly, a reporter asked one of the proponents for public display to recite the commandments.  The person could not do so.  In response, the reporter inquired about the sincerity of the person’s beliefs given his ignorance of The Ten Commandments.

·         Then, Jesus asks the Jewish leaders why they are trying to kill Him because of His teachings.  Both spirit and letter of the Law would preclude such an action.  Actually, the Law and the Prophets support Jesus’ teachings.  In essence, He asks them, “Why are you judging by appearances?”

·         Lacking the wisdom to confront Jesus provocative teachings and questions, the Jewish leaders accuse Jesus of being demon-possessed.  They offer this accusation to dismiss the legitimacy of Jesus’ claims.  Often, people disparage people and ideas they do not understand as “abnormal” or “crazy.”  This tactic is demeaning and dehumanizing as it is unfair to categorize someone pejoratively just because you do not appreciate them or their point of view.

·         Jesus then criticizes them for focusing upon the Sabbath as a means of inhibiting a lame man’s healing.  The healing of the man who had been lame for thirty-eight years and lay daily by the pool of Siloam astonished the Jewish leaders but they discounted it because it happened on the Sabbath.  They focused on the day of the miracle rather than its accomplishment and divine purpose.

·         Moses gave them circumcision which they practice on the Sabbath when necessary to effectuate obedience.  To conform to traditions and social conventions, they obey the Law.  Nevertheless, the inconsistency of having the Law, taking pride in it but breaking it when convenient reflects how surely these religious leaders judge by appearances.

·         Further, Jesus challenges them to examine the logical, human and compassionate worth of their reasoning.  Can they reasonably compare the healing of man who had been lame for thirty-eight years with a ritualistic circumcision which they observe on the Sabbath to adhere to religious and social conformity?  Did they really think a man who suffered so greatly for nearly four decades should wait another day to ensure he adheres to traditional religious practices?

·         The gospel of Jesus Christ prioritizes human pain and needs over rituals and other religious practices.

·         This brief passage in the gospel of John cautions against judging by appearances and equating our religious beliefs to the will of God who freely and bountifully gives healing, wellness and wholeness to His children whether or not it conforms to our religious practices.