Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles: John 7:37-53

In John 7:37–53, Jesus spoke to the crowd at the Feast of Tabernacles, proclaiming, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” This statement led to various responses among the people. 

Many in the crowd were divided in their opinions.

Some believed Jesus was the Messiah

They said, “Surely this man is the Prophet” or “He is the Messiah.” These people recognized something unique and powerful in Jesus’ words and actions.

Others were skeptical

Some questioned if Jesus could be the Messiah because he was from Galilee, and they expected the Messiah to come from Bethlehem, where David was from.

Some wanted to arrest Him

The temple guards who had been sent to arrest Jesus were so captivated by His words that they returned without seizing Him, explaining, “No one ever spoke the way this man does.” This response surprised the religious leaders, who were becoming increasingly hostile.

Ultimately, this passage highlights the mixed reactions to Jesus’ teachings and His claims about Himself. The division among the people foreshadowed the broader conflicts and choices people would have to make about Jesus’ identity.

The Witness of the Father: John 5:36–38

 

In John 5:36–38, Jesus emphasizes His close relationship with the Father and the validation of His mission through the Father’s works and testimony.

Works as a Testimony (v. 36)

 Jesus points out that the works He performs—miracles, healings, and teachings—are given to Him by the Father. These works are not only miraculous signs but also a testimony that God sent Him.

Direct Testimony of the Father (v. 37)

 Jesus says that the Father has personally testified on His behalf. This may refer to events like Jesus' baptism, where God’s voice was heard, affirming Jesus as His beloved Son, and other scriptural prophecies that point to Jesus.

The Father's Word and Belief (v. 38)

 Jesus confronts His listeners, saying that they don’t have the Father's word abiding in them because they don’t believe in the One He has sent. Their lack of belief in Jesus reflects a disconnect from truly receiving and understanding God’s word.

Jesus points to the Father’s active role in affirming His identity and mission, with works and testimony designed to reveal Jesus as sent from God.

In other Scripture

The Father affirms Jesus as His beloved Son, expressing His approval and delight in Him. At Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22) and the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5, 2 Peter 1:17–18), God’s voice from heaven declares, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” In Matthew 17:5, He also adds, “Listen to Him,” urging people to heed Jesus' authority.

More: Lesson 6 More Testimonies about Jesus

Staying Faithful when the Crowd goes against You.

 Staying faithful in a world that may feel increasingly indifferent or even opposed to faith can be challenging. Here are some principles that might help.

Strengthen Your Personal Faith

 Spend regular time in prayer, studying the Bible, and reflecting on your beliefs. A deep, personal relationship with God can provide inner strength and help you feel less swayed by the attitudes of others.

Build a Supportive Community

 Connect with like-minded believers who encourage each other in faith. Small groups, church gatherings, and even online Christian communities can offer companionship, accountability, and perspective.

Live Out Your Values

 Actions speak louder than words, and living in a way that reflects Christ's love can be a powerful witness. This doesn’t mean being perfect, but striving to show kindness, compassion, patience, and humility in daily interactions.

Stay Rooted in Scripture

 Remembering the stories of biblical figures who faced opposition can be inspiring. Daniel, Esther, and the apostles, for example, stood firm in their faith despite external pressures.

Reflect on the "Why" Behind Your Faith

 Why do you believe what you believe? When you understand and affirm your faith from within, it becomes easier to withstand external pressures. Studying apologetics can also provide answers to difficult questions and reinforce your convictions.

Don’t Seek Approval from Others

 Jesus warned that following Him might mean losing favor with the world. But remember, faith isn’t about popularity; it’s about staying true to your convictions and your relationship with God.

Be Compassionate Toward Others' Perspectives

 Faithfulness doesn’t require rejecting others. Instead, listen to their beliefs and show empathy. This approach not only strengthens your own faith but allows you to respond with grace.

Pray for Courage and Guidance

 Ask God for strength to stay faithful even when it's hard. Prayer can offer peace and direction and help you feel anchored in God's presence when facing challenging circumstances.

Staying faithful can indeed feel lonely at times, but many Christians find that these practices help them live with purpose and authenticity without feeling the need to "go along with the crowd."

More: Lesson 6 More Testimonies about Jesus

What did Jesus mean by eating His flesh and drinking His blood? John 6:51-71

 

In John 6:51–71, Jesus makes a profound statement that many of His followers find difficult to accept. He says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” He then adds that “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53). 

This teaching troubled many people for several reasons.

Many listeners took Jesus' words literally, imagining that He was asking them to eat His physical flesh and drink His blood. In Jewish culture, eating flesh and drinking blood was not only physically repulsive but also a violation of their dietary laws, which prohibited the consumption of blood. This teaching seemed offensive and incomprehensible.

Jesus was speaking about spiritual truths that were hard to grasp without faith. To understand His words required a shift from a purely physical or literal perspective to a deeper, spiritual understanding.

 True Meaning of Jesus’ Words

Jesus was not instructing people to physically eat His flesh and drink His blood. Instead, His words symbolized a spiritual truth. "Eating" His flesh and "drinking" His blood meant fully accepting Him, trusting in His sacrificial death, and allowing His life to fill theirs. He was pointing to His eventual sacrifice on the cross, where His body would be given, and His blood would be shed for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of humankind.

Jesus was inviting His followers to enter into a relationship with Him where they would depend on Him spiritually, just as they depended on food and drink physically. By taking part in this spiritual sustenance, they would receive eternal life. 

Jesus’ words pointed ahead to the sacrament of the Eucharist, or Communion, in which Christians symbolically partake of His body and blood to remember His sacrifice and receive spiritual nourishment.

More: Lesson 6 More Testimonies about Jesus

John the Baptist declares Jesus differently than expectations of the Messiah

 

In John 1:32–36, John the Baptist describes Jesus in a way that challenges traditional expectations of the Messiah. He says, “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.” 

This imagery of the Spirit descending like a dove signifies peace, gentleness, and divine anointing. For many, the Messiah was expected to be a powerful political or military leader who would liberate Israel. Instead, John presents Jesus as a humble, Spirit-filled servant.

Additionally, John calls Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This title is striking and unexpected because it frames Jesus as a sacrificial figure rather than a conquering king. 

The concept of a "Lamb" suggests vulnerability and sacrifice, alluding to the sacrificial lambs offered for atonement in Jewish worship. Rather than overthrowing earthly powers, Jesus would bring spiritual liberation by offering himself as a sacrifice for sin, transforming the people’s expectations of salvation and the role of the Messiah.

More: Lesson 6 More Testimonies about Jesus

John the Baptist Humbles and Compares Himself to Jesus: John 3:25-36

 

In John 3:25–36, John the Baptist makes five humble comparisons between himself and Jesus, emphasizing Jesus’ divine authority and his own role as a preparer for Jesus' coming. Here are some of the key ways John contrasts himself with Jesus in this passage:

Friend of the Bridegroom

John describes himself as the "friend of the bridegroom," while Jesus is the bridegroom. He explains that he is like the best man who rejoices in the bridegroom’s joy (John 3:29). This symbolizes that John’s purpose is to prepare people for Jesus and then step back, allowing Jesus to take center stage.

Role and Authority

John acknowledges that his role is earthly and limited, while Jesus comes from above and speaks the words of God. John says, “He who comes from above is above all” (John 3:31), underscoring Jesus' divine origin and authority.

The Increasing vs. the Decreasing

In verse 30, John famously says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This statement captures John's understanding that Jesus’ ministry must grow and flourish while John’s role will fade as Jesus takes prominence.

Bearer of God's Spirit

John the Baptist emphasizes that Jesus speaks the words of God and has the Spirit “without measure” (John 3:34), indicating Jesus’ full connection with God and divine mission. This shows that Jesus has unique authority and a direct connection to God’s will.

Eternal Life through Jesus

John testifies that belief in the Son (Jesus) leads to eternal life, while rejecting him results in God’s wrath (John 3:36). This highlights the difference between John's earthly mission and Jesus’ eternal impact on humanity.

Through these comparisons, John humbly accepts his role as the forerunner to Christ, recognizing Jesus' divine status and ultimate purpose in God’s plan.

More: Lesson 6 More Testimonies about Jesus

Sabbath School Lesson 6: More Testimonies About Jesus

 

Themes in the Gospel of John

Sabbath School Lesson 6

More Testimonies About Jesus

You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.

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> Download the notes for Lesson 6 video here.

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> Download  Themes in the Gospel of John (4th  qtr) Sabbath School Lessons Here

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