KNOWN, FROM, AND SENT -- Monday:
"But I know him: for I am from Him, and He hath sent He." KJV (John 7:29)
The ministry of Jesus was in full swing among the people, and they knew it. His fame was spreading as the people "heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John" the Baptist (John 4:1). His words were abrasive to those with hard hearts, like the Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Lawyers. Those who respected such men also found Christ's words exceedingly difficult to receive. As time progressed, the circumstances were so volatile that it is written, "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for He would not walk in Jewry, (Judea) because the Jews sought to kill Him" (John 7:1).
The "feast of tabernacles" was approaching, and Jesus' brothers addressed a few words to him. At this time, they appeared to want Jesus to gain more popularity among the people. Thus they reasoned, "Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that Thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If Thou do these things, show Thyself to the world." The Spirit informs us that their words were spoken because they did NOT "believe in Him" (7:2-5). The Lord told them His time had not yet come – that is, the time to go into Judea. He chided them for having no sensitivity of proper times, telling them the world could not hate them. It DID hate Him, however, because He testified "of it, that the works thereof are evil." He then told them to go ahead to the feast, adding, "I go not up yet unto this feast: for My time is not yet full come." He then remained in Galilee.
When Jesus' brothers had left for the feast of the tabernacles, after only a brief time, Jesus went "also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret." Not knowing He was there, the Jews began asking about Him, saying "Where is that Man?" (NIV). Jesus suddenly became the topic of conversation, with all manner of varying views articulated about Him. Some affirmed He was a "good man." Others denied that was the case, saying "Nay; but He deceiveth the people." None of this talk was done publically, but privately, for "no man spake openly of Him for fear of the Jews" (vs 6-13).
About halfway through the feast, "Jesus went up into the temple, and taught." We are not told what He said, but it certainly did impress the people. He did not speak as a simpleton, or speak words that little children could understand. The people "marveled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?" In our words, they said, "How has this Man become learned, having never been educated (NASB). Of course, He had been "educated," but not in their rabbinical schools, or at the feet of Gamaliel, or the Lawyers and Pharisees. They could tell from His words that He was no ordinary man, and possessed no ordinary knowledge
Jesus told the people the source of His teaching, or doctrine. "My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent Me." He then said if anyone really wanted to know His doctrine, they would be given to know whether He was speaking from Himself or from God. He than asked them why they were going about to kill Him (vs 16-19). Jesus having revealed their hearts, the people remonstrated, charging that He had a demon. A furious exchange of words followed, and soon Jerusalem was ablaze with speculations about Jesus (vs 21-27).
It is at this point that our text occurs. As Jesus was teaching in the temple, He told them they did know who He was in the flesh, and where He was from. Yet, they were unaware of His real Person and His real mission. He had been sent to them by God, whom they did not know. Consequently, they did not know Him, but only viewed Him, "after the flesh" (7:24).
Now Jesus distinguishes Himself from the rest of the people by citing His relationship to the God of heaven. In His words, He captured the whole drama of redemption, giving us food for thought and the soul.
"I KNOW HIM." The best the people could claim was that they knew ABOUT God. Jesus said He knew Him; i.e., knew God personally and intimately. He knew how God thought, and what God was doing. That intimacy is described as Jesus being "in the bosom of the Father" (John 1:18). He also described it this way: "As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father" (John 10:15). He even confessed to the Father Himself, "the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee" (John 17:25). Yet the people saw it not.
"I AM FROM HIM." The idea is that He came from the every presence of God – from a state of equality with Him. He said, "I came out from God" (John 16:27). He stood among men as one intimately acquainted with God and what He had purposed for men.
"HE HATH SENT ME." While Jesus did volunteer to come into the world (Heb 10:4-9), it was the will of the Father that constrained Him. He was, therefore, "sent" into the world to accomplish God's purpose (John 3:34; 5:37; 10:36; 1 John 4:10,14). Consequently, to refuse Jesus is to refuse God Himself, who sent Him. Therefore Jesus said, "he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me" (Luke 10:16).
It is no wonder that everything depends on what we think of Christ! The hopes of all men hinge on Him who knew, is from, and was sent by, the Living God! There is only one personality in all creation so qualified: Jesus, the Son of God!
PRAYER POINT; Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for sending Him into the world, then receiving Him back again, fully pleased with what he had accomplished.