While studying John chapter 7, I was made aware of the battle that goes on for power, whether it be in government, in the family, in the military, in an organization, in the local garden club or in the church; whether it’s 30 A.D or 2024; whether it’s Jerusalem or China or Benton, Ohio. The heart of man hasn’t changed much since the Garden of Eden. I have seen conflicts that ended up in hurt feelings, church splits, family splits, business failures, civil wars…

As bad as conflict is, it seems to me that it is always worse when it’s in the church, where we are to be of one accord; to love one another; to resolve conflict. In John 7, I saw how far the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders were willing to go to keep hold of their power.

“Jesus purposely stayed away from Judea because the Jews were wanting to take His life (!).”

Take His life?! You mean, not just get Him transferred or fired or demoted or run out of town? But, Murdered!? And these are not military men or the mafia or foreign terrorists. These are the church leaders!! They are looking for the Messiah! And Jesus is the Messiah!! He is the One they and all of Israel (and the world) has been waiting for!

“…the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.” (Matt. 12:14) The chief priests and Pharisees sent the temple guards to arrest Him. When the guards came back without Jesus, they were asked, “Why didn’t you bring Him in?” Their response: “No one ever spoke like this Man does.” At this the leaders asked (accused) them, “You mean He has deceived you also? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in Him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law- there is a curse on them.”

I think it’s kind of interesting when the leaders of the faith brag about their unbelief and then they accuse those who do believe of being cursed! (Note the irony: John 3:36)

The common people were unaware of the plot against Jesus, because when He asked, “Why are you trying to kill me?” the people thought He must be demon possessed. (“Who is trying to kill you?”) They didn’t seem to know how serious (evil?) the Jewish leaders were.

The one leader who was rational and honest was Nicodemus. He was ridiculed when he asked if the Jewish law condemns a person without a hearing. (It doesn’t.)

This is the same Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night. And I think Nicodemus put his trust in the Lord that night. He, a Pharisee, defended Jesus. And they ridiculed Him for it, “Are you from Galilee also?” That was meant to be an insult to Nicodemus. Like city folk making fun of country hicks. “Check it out. You will see that a prophet does not come out of Galilee,” they said. Actually, the prophets Jonah, Nahum, and perhaps Elijah, Elisha and Amos were from Galilee. Hatred, greed, jealousy and fear of losing power will blind your reasoning.

After finishing this study of the seventh chapter, I was drawn to the last verse (33). Maybe because it was Christmastime and I had been thinking about no room in the Inn.

“Then every man went to his own home.” No one invited Jesus into his house. It was a feast night and Jesus was by Himself on the Mount of Olives. Everyone was celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus was alone. No one made room for Him. No one invited Him in.

How about you (and me)? Do we go to our own house and leave Jesus out in the cold? Or have we accepted His wonderful invitation so that we live in the love and light of His presence?
Make room for Jesus. Invite Him in.

“Let every heart prepare Him room, and Heaven and nature [will] sing.”