Pointing to Christ

John 7:1-5 (Pastor Scott)

March 22nd, 2026

In John 7:1 to 5 we are given a glimpse into both the growing hostility toward Jesus and the deep unbelief that can exist even among those closest to Him. The passage opens with Jesus remaining in Galilee because the Jews in Judea were seeking to kill Him. Opposition to Christ had already intensified, not because He lacked evidence of His identity, but because hardened hearts refused to receive the truth.

John then draws our attention to the timing. “Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand.” This feast, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals in Israel. Instituted in Leviticus 23, it commemorated God’s faithfulness during the wilderness wanderings after the Exodus. The people would dwell in temporary shelters to remember how God sustained them when they had no permanent home. It was also a harvest festival, celebrating God’s provision in the land.

By the first century, this feast had taken on additional ceremonial elements. Water was drawn and poured out at the temple, symbolizing God’s provision in the wilderness and expressing hope for future blessing. Large lamps were lit, reminding the people of the pillar of fire that guided Israel. All of it pointed beyond itself to God’s sustaining presence and provision, realities that find their fulfillment in Christ.

It is in this context that Jesus’ brothers speak to Him. They urge Him to go to Judea and show His works publicly. On the surface, this sounds like encouragement. But John makes the motive clear. “For not even His brothers believed in Him.” Their words carry a tone of skepticism and misunderstanding. They are essentially saying, “If You are who You claim to be, prove it in the spotlight.”

This reflects a common human error. They wanted a Messiah who would operate on their terms, gaining recognition and influence in visible ways. They did not understand that Jesus’ mission was governed by the Father’s will and timing, not by human expectation or pressure. Their unbelief shows that proximity to truth does not guarantee saving faith. One can witness the works of Christ and still remain spiritually blind apart from God’s grace.

There is also an important contrast here. The Feast of Booths celebrated God dwelling with His people and providing for them. Yet the very One to whom the feast pointed was standing before them, and even His own brothers did not recognize Him. The shadow was honored, but the substance was rejected.

This passage reminds us that unbelief is not merely a lack of information. It is a condition of the heart. Left to ourselves, we do not seek Christ rightly. We either ignore Him or try to reshape Him according to our desires. But true faith comes when God opens our eyes to see Christ for who He truly is, not who we want Him to be.

Jesus was not driven by human agendas, and He still is not. He moves according to the perfect will of the Father. His timing is never early or late. And His mission was not to gain earthly fame, but to accomplish redemption for His people.

We always encourage everyone to check everything through the lens of the Scriptures. Be like the noble Bereans of Paul’s day. Please visit us here for much more, and remember, Christ is enough.

Let us take God at His word, let us recognize Jesus for who He says He is and together....lets go serve our King!

FRF Family