Where Will Jesus Go?

Lesson #130

With this lesson we will finish the section defined by John 7:32 – 36. Jesus had just said to his enemies that he was going to leave in a little while to return to his Father. He further tells them that after he leaves they would search for him but would not find him. Jesus knew they did not understand what he meant by his statement that he was going to return to his Father because he told them that after he left they would search for him to see what happened to him or where he went.

“The Jews [then] said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?” (John 7:35 ESV). By this statement, the Jews show their complete lack of understanding of what Jesus has been teaching them. These who do not understand who are deaf to hear God’s instruction are further moved by their wickedness to threaten harm to anyone they do not understand.

Ignoring what Jesus said about going to his Father, the Jews wonder if “he [intended] to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?” “The Dispersion was a common Jewish expression to refer to all the Jewish people scattered throughout the Roman Empire, and even beyond the bounds of the empire, but not living in Palestine itself.” (ESV Bible footnotes for verse 35). They wondered if this is what he meant. Peter refers to the dispersion as those scattered “in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1 NET). The implication is, will Jesus cross the sea to go to Jews who dwell in a world unknown to them?

The Jews are so confused and utter “What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?” (John 7:36 ESV). There is nothing more to say here than to realize these Jews are spiritually dead and are unable to understand any reference made to spiritual things. They simply could not grasp the idea of a spiritual kingdom beyond this worldly kingdom they were currently a part of.

Prayer

Father, thank you that I know that Jesus is with you and I know that one day I will be with you also because of what Jesus accomplished by coming and dying for my sin and then rising from the dead. Father, I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and empower me to invest the time I have left wisely.