Sent to Arrest Jesus

Lesson #129

This lesson will be the first of two on the section defined by John 7:32 – 36. “The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him” (John 7:32 ESV). The Pharisees were deeply troubled over the common person thinking about Jesus and sharing their thoughts with one another. They felt threatened by the influence Jesus was having over the people. They were afraid that this influence would weaken their control over the people and wanted to stop any further erosion of their authority. This is no different today in many countries. As people learn about Jesus and move toward a relationship with him, authorities feel threatened and apply pressure, often through persecution, to control the influence of their witness. The difference between then and now was the actual presence of Jesus. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees focused on removing the influence of Jesus by arresting him. Today the focus is on Christians who are influencing others through their witness. In either case the object is to eliminate the influence of Christianity on the current culture by silencing in some way the one who is witnessing.

“Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me.”” (John 7:33 ESV). It is not clear who Jesus is speaking to; was it the assembly of people or to those who came to arrest him or to both. I think we can be safe to say he is speaking to his enemies, informing them that they have no influence over his death until the time appointed by the Father. It is not only Jesus they are rejecting but the grace God is extending to them. Jesus was sent to them by the Father from heaven’s glory and was calling them to embrace him for their spiritual needs, but they would not receive him. In a little while he would leave, removing the offer of the grace of God from them.

Jesus makes it clear that he is in control of when he leaves and where he is going. His death will not be the end of his influence. At the appointed time he will die, but he, as we will see later, has the power to rise from the dead and through those who believe, continue to have an effective witness. No matter what his enemies try to do they will not be able to overcome what he was sent to accomplish. Once he returns to his Father, he will begin to live his life through those who believe and as hard as his opposition tries they will not be able to stamp out his witness.

Jesus continues by saying, “You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come” (John 7:34 ESV). If they are able to put Jesus to death, why would they want to then seek him. After dying on the cross they placed him in a sealed tomb, but on the third day the tomb was found to be empty. No matter how hard they look they will not find him because he went to be with his Father, a place where they cannot go. The death of Jesus or the death of believers is never wasted. The death and resurrection of Jesus provided salvation and on the death of believers the church is being built. What the Father has determined, no enemy can defeat. We must never forget that.

Prayer

Father, thank you that you are in control and will complete the process of transforming those you have chosen, before the foundation of the world, into the image of your Son. Thank you for the living hope you have given each one of us who believe. Thank you for your love for us and the kindness of your grace you extend to us.