What steps can we take to deepen our understanding of Jesus' identity? Hearing the Claim: What John 7:40 Reveals “On hearing these words, some of the people said, ‘This is truly the Prophet.’” (John 7:40) The crowd recognizes Jesus as “the Prophet” foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15. Their reaction shows that understanding Jesus’ identity begins with carefully listening to His words. Step 1 – Listen Attentively to Jesus’ Own Words • Read the surrounding context (John 7:37-39). • Note each claim Jesus makes—“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” • Let His self-description shape your view; He defines Himself better than any commentary. Step 2 – Compare Scripture with Scripture • Deuteronomy 18:15: Moses predicts “a Prophet like me.” • John 1:45: Philip testifies, “We have found the One Moses wrote about.” • Acts 3:22-23: Peter applies Moses’ prophecy directly to Jesus. Tracking these links confirms that Jesus literally fulfills ancient promises. Step 3 – Trace the Broader Prophetic Portrait • Isaiah 9:6 – Names Jesus “Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” • Micah 5:2 – Pinpoints Bethlehem as His birthplace. • Zechariah 9:9 – Foretells His humble entry into Jerusalem. Seeing countless prophecies converge on one Person deepens confidence in His divine identity. Step 4 – Embrace the Whole Counsel of Scripture • John 5:39: “You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me.” • Luke 24:27: Jesus unfolds “Moses and all the Prophets” to show “the things concerning Himself.” Systematic, cover-to-cover reading keeps the picture of Jesus from becoming one-sided. Step 5 – Respond in Personal Obedience • Matthew 7:24 – Hearing Jesus’ words and putting them into practice builds life on rock. • John 14:21 – Love for Him shows up in obedience. Identity becomes clearer when His authority is honored in daily choices. Step 6 – Depend on the Spirit’s Illumination • John 16:13 – The Spirit “will guide you into all truth.” • 1 Corinthians 2:14 – Spiritual realities are “discerned through the Spirit.” Before opening Scripture, ask for enlightened eyes; the Spirit delights to reveal the Son. Step 7 – Learn within Christ-Centered Community • Acts 17:11 – Bereans “examined the Scriptures daily” together. • Ephesians 4:11-13 – Teachers equip believers “until we all attain unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God.” Conversations with mature believers sharpen understanding and guard against error. Step 8 – Worship Him as He Is • Matthew 16:16 – “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” • Revelation 5:12 – Heaven’s song: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.” Adoration completes the learning process; the better we see Him, the more wholeheartedly we worship. Putting It All Together Attentive listening, cross-referencing, prophetic study, whole-Bible reading, obedient living, Spirit-dependence, community engagement, and earnest worship—each step builds on the others. Follow this path, and like those first listeners in John 7, you will increasingly recognize and rejoice in the full, glorious identity of Jesus. |
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