Picture the scene: thousands gathered in Jerusalem, all listening to the same extraordinary man teaching in the temple courts. Same words. Same place. Same Jesus. Yet their responses couldn’t be more different—some believed, some doubted, some even plotted His death. The difference wasn’t in Jesus. It was in their hearts.
John 7 shows us that we all have access to Jesus—through Scripture, prayer, and the testimony of believers. The real question is not about access but response.
When Support Isn’t There
Jesus knew what it felt like to walk into His calling without support. Even His own brothers doubted Him and mocked His mission. Many of us know that feeling. When we decide to follow Jesus, our lives change—and sometimes the people closest to us don’t understand. But Jesus gets it. He faced the same rejection, temptation, and isolation we feel. Our God isn’t distant from our pain; He lived it.
The Question That Changes Everything
As Jesus taught, crowds whispered: “He’s a good man” or “He’s deceiving people.” Both were wrong. Jesus cannot be “just a good man.” Good men don’t claim to be God. As C.S. Lewis argued, Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. History confirms His existence, so we must choose: Who do we believe He is? If He is Lord, then He is Master—and our lives should reflect that.
The Secret to Kingdom Impact
The religious leaders were amazed at Jesus’s teaching because He had no formal training. His answer was simple: “My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me.” Jesus spent time with the Father and obeyed the Father. That’s the formula. We overcomplicate what God made simple.
Spending time with God looks like praying honestly, opening Scripture regularly, and praising Him in every season. Doing God’s will looks like gathering with the church, serving others, and loving God and people. If we built this rhythm into our lives daily, transformation would follow.
Living Water for Thirsty Souls
On the last day of the festival, as water was poured on the altar to remember God’s provision, Jesus cried out: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink!” He pointed not to ritual, but to Himself. He is the living water every soul longs for. And then came His invitation: “Whoever believes in me… out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
Whoever. Not the perfect, the polished, or the religious—just whoever believes.
The Danger of Pride
When temple guards were sent to arrest Jesus, they returned empty-handed. “No one ever spoke like this man,” they said. The Pharisees scoffed, believing themselves too educated for faith. Today, many still dismiss Christianity as a crutch, yet people of faith consistently experience greater joy, purpose, generosity, and resilience—not because of our strength, but His.
The Question That Remains
Everyone in Jerusalem had the same access to Jesus. Same Jesus, different hearts. Today, the access remains. The real question is: What will you do with Him?
Will you believe? Surrender? Follow? Trust?
Same Jesus. The difference is our response. What will your heart choose today?
Most recently, Jeff stepped into the role of Lead Pastor, continuing his heart for discipleship, teaching, and helping people take their next steps with Jesus.
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