John 7:1-13

*The S.O.A.P. guide shifts in the weeks before Easter to focus our attention on evangelism.

Daily S.O.A.P. Prompts

S – What verse stands out to me today?

O – What is God revealing about Jesus?

A – How should this change my life today?

P – What is my prayer in response?

Scripture

(John 7:1-13, NLT) After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. 2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, 3 and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! 4 You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” 5 For even his brothers didn’t believe in him. 

6 Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. 7 The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. 8 You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” 9 After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee. 10 But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. 11 The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. 12 There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” 13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.

Observation

• After Jesus shared the teaching about communion, he traveled around Galilee. He avoided Judea because the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. 

• His “brothers” were trying to force him to more public miracles. In a practical way, they figured, Jesus couldn’t “become famous” if he continued to hide. 

• Jesus explains that his “time” has not come. Again, Jesus is in control of time and his time. He even tells them he will not be attending the festival but decides to go secretly. I find this interesting. He still honors the law but does so in secret.

• Jesus can overhear people “grumbling” and discussing who he really is. A good man? A fraud?

• Finally, “no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public,” not even his disciples or brothers. No one wanted to get in trouble.

Application

• Fame can be tempting, but we must remain faithful to God. 

• The crowd isn’t always right. 

• The people you think will support you publicly often don’t. 

• Fear of trouble can keep us from doing the right thing.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I am grateful for your example. You never allowed yourself to be compromised by the pressures of fame. You remained true to your calling and purpose. Help me to always be led by the voice of the Holy Spirit and not the pressure of the crowd. Show me my friends and the people I can count on. Give me the courage to always do the right thing no matter the cost! In Jesus’ name, amen! 

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