John 7:37-52
“Notice what you notice.” Earlier in this chapter we saw that Jesus went quietly, silently up to Jerusalem to the Feast after telling His brothers that He was not going. Now following the discussions we have covered in the past two days, He stands up and cries out…!! I think that if I were one of His followers, I would be confused also!!
Very intriguing…: But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (v. 39) Our Creative Arts Camp focus two weeks ago was the Holy Spirit. My talk that Wednesday was about Jesus not leaving His disciples alone, but that His Father would send the Holy Spirit, the “Helper”. And throughout the week there was some discussion in my head as to when and where the Holy Spirit was present in Scripture. So this verse above is definitive – the Holy Spirit would not be given to the disciples (or to us) until Jesus was glorified. I take that to mean His Resurrection. So this verse clears it up for me a bit! And yes, we read of that manifestation of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. GLORY!
There is much in John’s Gospel that is lost on me in the past because I have read it fast and in long passages. Nicodemus appearing in this reading is one of those lost opportunities. Today’s reading is the second time we have seen Nicodemus. We all remember the first, in John 3, when Nicodemus first came to Jesus and shared a long conversation. Then we see him again with Joseph of Arimathea preparing Jesus’ body for burial. His appearance in chapter 7 has been lost on me!! BTW, both Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea are canonized as saints in the Roman Catholic Church and certain Eastern Orthodox churches.
I find there is much more that I could say today, but travel cries out and I want to get this posted. Be blessed, folks!!
Slava Bohu!
Thanks Fred. My notes add that, according to tradition, Nicodemus was baptized by Peter and John, then later forced to step down from the council (Sanhedrin).
Also, my notes give three references in Isaiah where God gives believers living water or the spirit. So to his hearers, Jesus was laying a claim to be the Messiah/God, just like when he opened his public ministry with the words of Isaiah. So six months before his return to Jerusalem for the Passover, he was very clear to the religious leaders who he was. Blasphemy! GLORY!