BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

In today’s reading, Jesus continues making eye-popping claims that compel some to accept and believe him, while others reject him. The Feast of Tabernacles, or “tents,” mentioned in John 7, marks one of the three most important Jewish festivals each year. This celebration remembers Yahweh’s provision for Israel while they lived in tents, wandering in the wilderness.

Just as God provided water from a rock in the wilderness, Jesus, on the last day of the festival, stands up to invite all who are thirsty to come and drink from him. Jesus is God with them, and he is the water from that rock—he is God’s life-giving provision for the people. Watch today’s video for a deeper dive into the way Scripture talks about rejuvenating water.

Notice the way Jesus repeats the phrase “I am” when debating about his identity with religious leaders. At the burning bush, God tells Moses that his name is “I am.” Jesus appears to be not-so-subtly claiming that he is God. If that’s not true, then this is blasphemy. But if his claim is legitimate, then to trust and follow Jesus is to trust and follow God. Even more, all who follow will find their thirst quenched by messianic springs of life. They’ll discover what it means to truly live, by following the God who is the great “I am.”

Reflection Questions

• In John 7:19-24, why do you think Jesus says the religious leaders are judging by appearances? How does the story help you better understand what it means to judge (or discern) rightly?
• Meditate on John 7:45-52. The religious leaders insist that none in their ranks believe in Jesus. Yet Nicodemus, the religious leader (Pharisee) who secretly visited Jesus in John 3, mildly suggests that they at least hear him out. If Nicodemus can glimpse who Jesus is, what might this suggest about the blindness of the other leaders?