John 7:1-24
But after His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He also went up, not publicly but in private. (v. 10) I’m trying to understand Jesus’ actions, not just His words. He did not want to go up to the feast publicly – that is, He did not want to join one of the caravans of pilgrims traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem. Yet when the crowds at the temple were the most packed, He appeared teaching. So why His behavior?
I’m sure He would have been besieged by His fellow travelers if He had joined a larger group. In fact, His presence in any caravan would likely have multiplied the size of the group to unmanageable proportions for the three-day caravan and the overnight resting spots. Maybe He was aware of this and did not want to trouble His fellow travelers? Maybe He wanted a more restful journey, possibly through Samaria where He was less well known? Lately He has been teaching more to His disciples and less to the larger crowd, so maybe He wanted to go it alone with them? I’m opting for this last thought, that He just needed some “alone-time” on His journey, knowing that He would be facing the larger crowds and the Jewish leaders at the Feast.
I’m also imagining Jesus’ courage at showing up in Jerusalem at these large feasts. He knew that His time had not yet come, but still – the crowds, the questions, the demands, the Jewish leaders…!! It would not be a restful, spiritual retreat for Him! We’ll be following Jesus’ time in Jerusalem for the next week – three+ chapters in John’s gospel. I’m sure we’ll have more questions than answers!
See also: June 17 / John 7:1-9; June 18 / John 7:10-24
Fred, I have also wondered why Jesus wanted to go to Jerusalem unaccompanied by the crowds. Since this is the first time I have read the gospels chronologically, I have been noticing how the crowds are growing and how they seem to be clamoring for miracles/cures.
Jesus has a difficult task in trying to present His message of salvation and re-interpret all of Jewish history to re-define the Messiah. He also has compassion for the people and cures illnesses etc. He tells many not to say anything, but most do spread the word of his healings anyway. (Is this because He knows that His miracles have the potential to overshadow His message?) The miracles are part of God’s plan and help to identify Jesus as who He says He is – the Son of Man, the Son of God, the re-interpreted Messiah. But the main point is the message – the message is what changes the world.
Perhaps Jesus is now focusing on a “closing argument” knowing that His time is short. I wonder.
One little aside, I didn’t realize that the Festival of the Tabernacles was to commemorate the time the people were with Moses wandering in the wilderness. No wonder Jesus pointed out Jewish circumcision wasn’t really from Moses time but from the covenant with Abraham, a Hebrew not a Jew.
The last two days, as part of our women’s group study, I read John straight through as a story, no study notes, just straight through. And now we are doing it too! John’s gospel was written to provide eye witness accounting that Jesus is the Son of God. John was there the whole time, from baptism, to cross, to resurrection. And he emphasizes what Jesus says about His relationship with the Father and Holy Spirit, John heard it all.
I would probably be with the brothers, believing some of the message and healings. But until the resurrection, they didn’t believe He was the Son. Well, without the resurrection, we wouldn’t be believers either nor were the disciples.