On Line Bible Study - For the Week of May 7-13, 2012

Lesson 535

John 7:1-13

The text we will concern ourselves with is John 7:  ³ Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. ⁴ No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” ⁵ For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

Recall that there is no "Temptation Story" in the Gospel of John.  However, Raymond Brown suggests that the three temptations found in Matthew 4:1ff and Luke 4:1ff also appear in John, but in a very different format.

Temptation:  Satan offered the kingdoms of the World to Jesus.  We find a similar 'temptation' in John 6:15.

Satan invited Jesus to turn stones into bread.  This 'temptation' occurs in John 6:31 where the people ask for "miraculous bread".

Satan also took Jesus to the pinnacle of the Temple in Jerusalem and tempts him to display his power by jumping.  Now, in John 7:3, Jesus' brothers want him to go to Jerusalem to show his power.

The writers of Matthew and Luke present the temptations in dramatic form.  In the Gospel of John, these same temptations occur more as a matter of course.

Isn't this true for us as well?  Aren't we more apt to be tempted and tested in the everyday events of our lives - while we are struggling to make ends meet, or live up to the expectations someone else has for us?  As we work with our peers or try to impress the boss, don't we find ourselves succumbing to the temptation at times to make promises we can't keep or take credit for something we didn't do?

At times, it's not so much the devil that is our problem as it is the people who love us and want so much for us.  And perhaps even more frequently, the "tempter" is ourselves - our own pride or impatience.  Jesus resists these temptations - whether they come from Satan, his brothers, or his own human tendencies.

Where do your temptations come from?