John 7:30-36 (WEL) Then they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him because his time had not come. 31 But many of the people believed in him and said, “When Christ comes, will he do more miracles than these which this man has done?” 32 The Pharisees heard the people whispering these things about him, so the Pharisees and the chief priests sent the temple police to arrest him. 33 Then Jesus said to them, “I am with you only a little while longer, then I leave to the one who sent me. 34 “You will seek me and will not find me, and where I am, you’re not able to come.” 35 Then the Jews said to one another, “Where will he go, that we will not find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?36 “What is this statement he said, ‘You will seek me and not find me, and where I am, you’re not able to come?’”
V30 Then they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him because his time had not come.
Even though God has decreed a limited, libertarian free will (a person can tell God “No”), He always has override privileges for He is sovereign and can do what He wants, when He wants, how He wants.
The time was not right for Jesus to be arrested. They wanted to do so (free will), but God decreed, “No, you will not (sovereignty).” God exercises His override privileges.
God gives real choices. Please don’t accuse God of lying. These are real choices. These are the words of the Holy Spirit, and He knows how to communicate perfectly. Isaiah 1:19-20 “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land. 20 But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken it.”
(CWSB Dictionary) “H2974. יָאַל yā’al: A verb meaning to choose to do something. The focus of this verb is on the decision to act. This concept is expressed on three levels. On the first level, the individual shows a willingness to act a certain way, to accept an invitation (Exodus 2:21; Joshua 7:7; Judges 19:6). On the next level, the individual is more active and voluntarily decides to act a certain way (Genesis 18:27; Deuteronomy 1:5). On the final level, the individual is even more active and voluntarily decides to act a certain way with determination and resolve (Joshua 17:12; Judged 1:27, 35; Hosea 5:11). This verb provides strong support for the theological concept of human free will because humanity is permitted to decide to act a certain way. God, however, will hold humanity responsible for those decisions and actions.”
I might add that God always has override privileges.
V31 But many of the people believed in him and said, “When Christ comes, will he do more miracles than these which this man has done?”
The miracles are a witness. This is not magic. It is a verifiable change, healing, etc., and must be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, who alone can heal perfectly.
If this is a surface, intellectual belief, or if it is a heart belief and trust in Jesus that He is the Messiah.
Jesus did not do miracles for show or money. He had a purpose—a witness to His glory and power. It is also a fulfillment of prophecy.
Jesus did miracles just like God the Father did (John 10:37-38). Compare Isaiah 35:5-6 (Luke 7:22).
V32 The Pharisees heard the people whispering these things about him, so the Pharisees and the chief priests sent the temple police to arrest him.
The Pharisees and chief priests heard that many people believed that Jesus is the Messiah. The response of the Pharisees and chief priests is typical—can’t beat them, kill ‘em. Such is the human heart. Compare Genesis 4:6-11.
Matthew Henry adds:
“The design of the Pharisees and chief priests against him. First, The provocation given them was that they had information brought to them by their spies, who insinuated themselves into the conversation of the people, and gathered stories to carry to their jealous masters, that the people murmured such things concerning him, that there were many who had a respect and value for him, notwithstanding all they had done to render him odious. Though the people did but whisper these things, and had not courage to speak out, yet the Pharisees were enraged at it. The equity of that government is justly suspected by others which is so suspicious of itself as to take notice of, or be influenced by, the secret, various, uncertain mutterings of the common people. The Pharisees valued themselves very much upon the respect of the people, and were sensible that if Christ did thus increase they must decrease.”
V33 Then Jesus said to them, “I am with you only a little while longer, then I leave to the one who sent me.
The one who sent Jesus is the Father. Compare John 3:16, 1 John 4:10, and Isaiah 9:6.
Jesus knows the time of His suffering is about to begin. I can’t imagine the sense of human fear on one hand (Mark 14:33-34, Mark 14:36, and Luke 22:44) and the total dedication to do God’s will on the other (Matthew 26:42 and John 4:34).
Principle: Are you dedicated to do God’s will regardless of the outcome?
V34 “You will seek me and will not find me, and where I am, you’re not able to come.”
This refers to physical seeking, not spiritual seeking (praying, etc.). They won’t be able to find Jesus on Earth because He is in heaven at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19, Acts 7:56, Ephesians 1:20, and Hebrews 1:3).
Why are they not able to come? The reasons are 1) they are not physically able to go into heaven and 2) they are not spiritually qualified to go into heaven. God is holy and only those who believe in Jesus Christ alone are able. Compare Psalm 23:3-6; it is only those with a clean heart. The heart can only be clean if God has cleansed it by our faith and the ministry of Jesus Christ on the Cross (2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 8:1).
V35 Then the Jews said to one another, “Where will he go, that we will not find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?
They are totally ignorant. Why don’t they have the intelligence to ask Him where He is going? The reason is that they assume.
Principle: It is better to ask than assume and base dangerous actions on an assumption.
V36 “What is this statement he said, ‘You will seek me and not find me, and where I am, you’re not able to come?’”
They repeat the question. This is a proof of the testimony of an eyewitness.
We learn:
• Jesus knows the time of His departure.
• The religious leaders judge by their own standards.
Questions:
• Have you believed in Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of sins?
• How do you judge others?