June 13th, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Holy Chaos

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Opening Prayer

Today, may the peace of God enfold me, the love of God uphold me, and the wisdom of God control me.

Read John 7:25-44

[25] At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? [26] Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? [27] But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.” [28] Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, [29] but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.” [30] At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. [31] Still, many in the crowd believed in him. They said, “When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man?” [32] The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. [33] Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. [34] You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” [35] The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? [36] What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” [37] On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” [39] By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. [40] On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” [41] Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? [42] Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” [43] Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. [44] Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright &copy 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.&reg Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Meditate

There is an intimate connection between the Spirit and the cross. We are empowered by the Spirit to live cross-shaped lives.

Think Further

The turbulent visit to the temple continued. Jesus provoked chaos. There were divisions in the crowd, some believing and some skeptical. There were arguments about the meaning of Scripture and the fulfillment of prophecy. There was comical misunderstanding (35), an unholy alliance between the Pharisees and the chief priests (Sadducees), and a bungled attempt at an arrest. The chaos continued for at least two days (28,37).

Throughout the confusion, Jesus continued to teach, his authority shining through. He was the still point in this human storm. On both days he “cried out,” a term more about a solemn pronouncement than the volume he was using. On the first occasion (28,29) he announces that the Father has sent him to them; on the second (37-39), that they will receive the Holy Spirit through him.

It is not clear whether the “last and greatest” day (37) was the seventh or the eighth day of the feast. The Feast of Tabernacles lasted for seven days, followed by a Sabbath day, with a solemn assembly. For each of the seven days, water was drawn from the pool of Siloam, processed to the Temple and poured out on the altar, as a sign of God’s salvation. On the seventh day the procession circled the altar seven times. Either at this moment of climax, or on that Sabbath when, by contrast, no water was poured, Jesus claims to be the reality to which the ritual had pointed. He is the source of living water. That living water was the permanent presence of the Holy Spirit of God. But this fulfillment of Scripture (possibly Zech. 14:8) was still to come. It could only take place after Jesus has been “glorified” (39), which meant his death, resurrection and ascension. The water was poured on the altar, but the Spirit would come through the cross.

Apply

What evidence can you offer of the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? How is his presence like flowing water (38,39)?

Closing prayer

Lord, may I never confuse the ceremonies and habits of my faith with the One to whom they point. Lead me to You, the living God.

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