What does John 7:11 reveal about the Jews' expectations of Jesus? Setting the Scene • Feast in view: the Feast of Tabernacles, a mandatory pilgrimage gathering in Jerusalem (Leviticus 23:33-43). • Massive crowds: all able-bodied Jewish men were required to attend, so the city was buzzing. • Jesus had attended previous feasts (John 2:13; 5:1), so His presence was naturally anticipated. What the Verse Says John 7:11: “So the Jews were looking for Him at the feast and asking, ‘Where is He?’” Clues Embedded in Their Search • “Looking for Him” – a deliberate, ongoing action. They expected Jesus to be predictable and physically present at God-ordained festivals. • “At the feast” – they assumed He would honor the Law’s pilgrim feasts, aligning Him with faithful worshipers. • “Where is He?” – spoken in the present tense, showing immediate, heightened anticipation. Why They Expected Him 1. Previous patterns – Jesus regularly taught and performed signs in Jerusalem (John 2:23; 5:8-9). – His miracles fostered both curiosity and controversy (John 6:2). 2. Messianic hope attached to festivals – Many believed Messiah would manifest in connection with sacred assemblies (Malachi 3:1). – Psalm 118:25-26, sung during Tabernacles, proclaims, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD,” adding fuel to expectancy. 3. Rumors and reports – Galilean crowds had spread news of His wonders (John 4:45). – Religious leaders felt threatened (John 5:18) and kept tabs on His movements. Mixed Motives Behind Their Expectation • Spiritual hunger – some genuinely longed for His teaching (John 7:40-41). • Skepticism – others sought grounds to accuse Him (John 7:1, 32). • Political calculation – leaders feared losing influence if messianic fervor erupted (John 11:48). What This Reveals About Their Heart Posture • They recognized Jesus as a pivotal figure whose presence could not be ignored. • Their knowledge of Scripture produced expectancy, yet many still missed the true identity of the One standing among them (cf. Isaiah 53:3). • External religion can breed watchfulness without yielding genuine faith (Matthew 15:8). Takeaways for Today • God’s past faithfulness creates legitimate expectation; the Jews were right to look for the promised Messiah. • Unchecked preconceptions can distort our view when God shows up differently than anticipated. • The crowd’s question, “Where is He?” remains relevant; Scripture invites us to seek Jesus with hearts ready to believe, not merely to observe or critique (Jeremiah 29:13). |
    |