Sunday School Lesson
April 5
Lesson 6 (KJV)
A Just Servant
Devotional Reading: Psalm 98
Background Scripture: Isaiah 42
Isaiah 42:1–9
1. Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
5. Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6. I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7. To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8. I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Identify the Lord’s servant and the servant’s task.
2. Explain the fulfillment of the lesson text found in Matthew 12:15–21.
3. Sing a hymn or song that is based on Isaiah 42.
HOW TO SAY IT
| Babylon | Bab-uh-lun. |
| Chaldean | Kal-dee-un. |
| Cyrus | Sigh-russ. |
| Davidic | Duh-vid-ick. |
| Isaiah | Eye-zay-uh. |
| Judah | Joo-duh. |
| Messiah | Meh-sigh-uh. |
| messianic | mess-ee-an-ick. |
| Nazareth | Naz-uh-reth. |
| Persia | Per-zhuh. |
Introduction
A. Champions of Justice
A few years ago, the Consumer Attorneys of California created the “Champions of Justice Award” to honor extraordinary service among the association’s members. Sandra Ribera Speed received the award in 2015. This honor was awarded to her in part for her involvement in a case involving a runaway delivery truck that crashed into a family vehicle.
Sandra’s law firm at the time wanted nothing to do with fighting this case against a powerful company and its army of attorneys. But Sandra believed the case had merit and refused to give up. She used all her savings and incurred credit card debt in order to work on the case by herself for six months. She was so well prepared that the seven lawyers from the prestigious firm representing the delivery company settled the case on the first day of trial. In addition to serving her clients well, Sandra’s portion of the settlement allowed her to establish her own law firm.
About 2,700 years ago, the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of the ultimate champion of justice. He would fight for, defend, and serve not just one person but all those who would accept His help.
B. Lesson Context
This lesson begins unit 2, which emphasizes God’s promises of a just kingdom. The prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah as the champion of justice. Such prophecies, of course, have direct bearing on Palm Sunday. As appropriate, some of these connections will be explored in the commentary below.
The prophet Isaiah, for his part, had a lengthy ministry, from about 740 to 680 BC. The book featuring his name as its title is comprised of two parts. Isaiah 1–39 has been described as the Book of Judgment; it focuses on the sins of the people of Judah. Isaiah 40–66, the Book of Comfort, looks forward about a century and a half to the time when Judah’s exile in Babylon is about to end. We keep in mind that the exile did not even begin until 586 BC.
The end of exile is foreseen in the chapter preceding our lesson text: God called a “righteous man” (Isaiah 41:2) to bring the captivity to its end. That man was Cyrus, the king of Persia who conquered Babylon in 539 BC (see 44:28 and 45:1, where he is designated “shepherd” and “anointed,” respectively). He issued a decree permitting the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem beginning in 538 BC (Ezra 1:1–8).
The word servant occurs more than three dozen times in the book of Isaiah. In chapter 41, the Lord applies it to Israel—“my servant” (Isaiah 41:8, 9). This servant was fearful. For that reason, God reassured the people of His love. They didn’t need to fear; their exile in Babylon was not evidence that God had cast them away forever. He promised Israel that they were still His covenant people. The Lord encouraged His helpless servant Israel by stating that the people need not fear, because God would help them (41:10, 13, 14).
The Lord then addressed, in a courtroom setting, the nations and their idols. He challenged the nations to provide evidence that idols had ever correctly predicted the future. After announcing judgment on the false gods, the Lord proclaimed that He had “raised up one from the north” (Isaiah 41:25)—surely once again alluding to Cyrus. Although the Persian emperor hailed “from the east” (41:2), he conquered several kingdoms north of Babylon before eventually attacking Babylon from that direction. Against this backdrop of a pagan king as an instrument of God to rescue an exiled people, Isaiah introduced the intriguing servant of the Lord.
Isaiah 42:1–9 (today’s text) is the first of Isaiah’s five “servant songs,” in which the servant is identified with the Messiah to come (see 49:1–6; 50:4–9; 52:13–53:12; 61:1–4). These messianic songs highlight what the servant is to accomplish on behalf of the world.
I. Presentation
(Isaiah 42:1–4)
A. God’s Servant (v. 1)
1a. Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth.
The servant introduced here bears some similarities to the anointed shepherd Cyrus and servant Israel in having God’s approval (see the Lesson Context). However, this servant is profoundly different from both; the quotation of Isaiah 42:1–4 in Matthew 12:18–21 establishes this to be Jesus. God both supports and delights in Him (Matthew 3:16, 17). This suggests the servant will be obedient and godly in a way like no other.
1b. I have put my spirit upon him.
Members of ancient Israel did not experience the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as Christians do today (see Joel 2:28–32; Acts 2:14–21, 38). Thus the servant is marked as special for a special purpose, and Jesus’ baptism clearly points back to this verse. On that occasion the Spirit will descend on Him after He rises from the water as the Father expresses His pleasure with His Son (Luke 3:21, 22; see also Isaiah 11:1–5).
1c. He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
We cannot miss the servant’s mission of bringing judgment to the world, since it is mentioned three times in the first four verses of Isaiah 42. The concept of judgment encompasses much more than judicial equity, a fair redistribution of goods, etc. The judgment that the servant shall bring forth also includes making available the salvation of God. Isaiah’s prophecy includes Gentiles in this plan (compare Isaiah 42:6, below). Although Israel often found itself being enemies with surrounding nations, God’s plan ultimately is to make one people of many (compare Genesis 49:10; Romans 5:18, 19; Galatians 3:26–29).
B. Gentle and Just (vv. 2–4)
2. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
This servant of the Lord will be quite different from the typical king or conqueror who calls attention to himself through loud proclamations (example: Acts 25:23). No, he won’t even cry, nor lift up … his voice, or shout in the street. God’s answer to the world’s arrogance is not more arrogance.
| What Do You Think? What are some issues you believe the Lord doesn’t want you to voice publicly “in the street” in imitation of this characteristic? Why? Digging Deeper |
The crowds at Jesus’ triumphal entry will shout, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Luke 19:38). Notice that while the crowd speaks “with a loud voice” (19:37), Jesus never says a word. He will be silent just as this prophecy says. Jesus will not speak up even to defend himself against false accusations (Acts 8:32–35, quoting Isaiah 53:7, 8).
As in ancient times, many people are attracted to leaders who draw attention to themselves, boasting of their abilities and accomplishments (see Acts 8:9–11). Christians do well to remember that Jesus didn’t boast. Paul also refused to boast about anything “save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14; compare 2 Corinthians 10:17, 18).
3a. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench.
Instead of using his power to crush the mighty, the servant will be so gentle that He won’t even break off a bruised reed that is bent over (compare Matthew 11:29). With gentleness, the servant will support the weak and mend the broken.
A Piggyback Servant
On a trip to Israel, our church group had walked about 30 minutes to get to a site. A woman in the group slipped and fell. She was immediately in a great deal of pain, learning later that she had broken a bone in her foot.
The concerned group began discussing the dilemma of getting her back to the bus. Then Bill stepped forward and lowered himself to his hands and knees, indicating that he would carry her. When the woman was securely attached to Bill’s back, he stood up. He carried her, piggyback style, to the bus. Telling the story at Bill’s celebration, our preacher concluded, “Bill is one who comes alongside others and carries their burdens.”
Isaiah 42 introduces us to the Lord’s servant, one who would not break an already-damaged plant. How willing are you to follow the example of the Lord Jesus and “lower” yourself to support those who are weak or broken?
—A. S.
| What Do You Think? Which characteristic of Jesus most stirs you to act and speak on His behalf: that of Matthew 12:20 (which quotes Isaiah 42:3) or of Matthew 21:12, 13? Why? Digging Deeper |
3b. He shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
We are told again that the servant’s mission is tied to judgment. This is most fitting for a king who comes from David’s line (see David’s words in 1 Chronicles 16:14, repeated in Psalm 105:7; see further the words of his son Solomon in 72:2). But now the qualifier unto truth is added. Where servant Israel has failed (see Isaiah 48:1; 59:12–15), servant Jesus will succeed. Indeed, Jesus will prove himself to be the very embodiment of truth (John 14:6; compare 1:14, 17).
4a. He shall not fail nor be discouraged.
We see here a hint of the suffering the servant will experience, since this prediction presupposes the presence of things that can result in failure or discouragement. This finds full expression in the fourth servant song (Isaiah 52:13–53:12). Although surrounded by many chances to depart from God’s chosen path, the servant will faithfully and obediently remain true to God’s mission.
4b. Till he have set judgment in the earth.
Here we have the climax of Isaiah’s statements regarding judgment in Isaiah 42:1–4. The servant won’t merely preach justice as a desirable goal; he will enact it (compare Isaiah 9:7; 16:5; 54:14). Although the servant will be exceedingly gentle, he will not be weak. Establishing judgment—God’s divine order—in the earth is a huge task. It requires unimaginable power. It is not the power that is typically used when trying to establish governments (compare 2:4; 51:4).
Centuries later, the people in Malachi’s day will ask, “Where is the God of judgment?” (Malachi 2:17). Malachi’s prophetic response is fulfilled in John the Baptist, who prepares the way for the Messiah (see 3:1; Matthew 11:10). The Messiah in turn inaugurates justice (example: Luke 1:46–55).
4c. And the isles shall wait for his law.
Isles is likely Isaiah’s way of referring to distant places on the earth. These far places are meant to indicate that the prophecy concerns the entire world (compare Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 11:11; Matthew 12:17–21). The entire world is to have an opportunity to wait for and depend on the servant’s law, or instruction.
Humble Research
Does humility come with any benefits? Social scientists are inclined to say yes! Studies indicate that humble people tend to be secure in their identity. They have an accurate sense of their own strengths and weaknesses, which gives them stability in their character.
Humble people also are aware that they aren’t the center of the universe. Far from this realization getting them down, it allows them to enjoy their strengths and seek to improve their weaknesses.
Isaiah 42 reveals that the Lord’s servant is not like leaders who draw attention to themselves. Such people boast about their abilities and accomplishments, but Jesus calls us to follow His humble example. What steps do you need to take to reorient your beliefs and behavior to align with Christ’s attitude toward humility? How will you do that both in how you perceive others and in how you present yourself?
—A. S.
II. Commission
(Isaiah 42:5–9)
A. Called by the Creator (v. 5)
5. Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.
The Lord is not merely Israel’s God but is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1, 9; Psalm 102:25; Isaiah 48:13; etc.). On this basis, God rightly claims authority not just over the land and people of Israel but over all nations (Psalm 82:8; etc.).
More significantly, He is the one who gives breath and spirit to people (Genesis 2:7; compare Acts 17:24, 25). How sadly ironic that those very people in turn create idols that have no breath themselves (Jeremiah 10:14; 51:17), let alone being able to impart breath to others!
| What Do You Think? In what ways might your life change, were you to be more consistent at reminding yourself of God’s position and role of Creator? Digging Deeper |
Called to Covenant (vv. 6, 7)6a. I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee.
Having presented the servant and his mission, now the Lord addresses and commissions His servant. God has called the servant according to His own nature—His righteousness (compare Jeremiah 23:6). The servant doesn’t have to fulfill the mission by himself; God will hold him tightly by the hand and won’t let go (see Isaiah 41:9, 10, 13). The servant will do the Lord’s work in God’s power according to God’s will.
6b. And give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.
At the heart of that work is the fact that the servant will initiate a covenant. We know from other Scriptures that the Messiah is to fulfill the Davidic covenant and establish a new covenant through personal sacrificial death (compare 2 Samuel 7:12–16; Isaiah 55:3; Jeremiah 31:31–34; Hebrews 8:6–13; 9:15). This covenant is without end (Isaiah 54:10; 59:21; 61:8).
The people refers to those who have already received God’s revelation—the Israelites (see Isaiah 49:8). Their role as a priestly nation is meant to draw other nations to the Lord (Exodus 19:6; compare 1 Peter 2:9). The scope of the servant’s ministry reflects this concern as He also becomes a light on behalf of the Gentiles (compare Isaiah 49:6; Luke 2:29–32; Acts 26:18, 22, 23).7. To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Ancient prisons are extremely dark, both literally and figuratively. The light-imparting ministry of the servant will indeed be welcomed by them that sit in darkness (see Isaiah 49:9; 51:14). Light would come through freedom, not by the installation of lamps or windows. Blind eyes, whether physical or spiritual in nature, are to be opened by the servant as a sign of his identity and call (compare Psalm 146:8; Isaiah 32:3; Matthew 11:5).
| What Do You Think? What can you do to improve your ability to recognize the various physical, spiritual, and emotional prisons that restrict your fellow Christians’ effectiveness for Christ? Digging Deeper |
As is often the case with the Old Testament prophets, this prophecy likely carries a double meaning. In the first sense, Isaiah is probably looking about 150 years ahead to his people’s release from captivity in Babylon (Isaiah 48:20; 52:2; compare Zechariah 2:7). In the context of the calling of the servant, however, Judah’s deliverance from exile can only serve as a foretaste of the release of people from the bondage of sin and ignorance. While Cyrus, an instrument of the Lord, will provide deliverance from the oppression of Babylon, this servant will provide liberation from the bondage of sin (compare Acts 26:18; 2 Timothy 2:26; Hebrews 2:14, 15).
This fulfillment will come into sharp and dramatic focus when Jesus reads Isaiah 61:1, 2a in Nazareth (Luke 4:18, 19). God offers deliverance from the imprisonment of sin to everyone—whether Jew or Gentile—who accepts Jesus as the Messiah according to the biblical plan of salvation (John 3:16; etc.).
C. Called for God’s Glory (vv. 8, 9)
8a. I am the Lord: that is my name.
The Lord’s declaring of His name recalls the scene of Moses at the burning bush. There God revealed His personal name to Moses at the event that commissioned that man for his task. That task was to go back to Egypt so that the Lord could establish His covenant with Israel at Sinai (Exodus 3:13–15; 6:3; 19:1–6; compare Psalm 81:10; Isaiah 43:3, 11).
8b. And my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Isaiah’s own calling has surely impressed on him the fact that the Lord is holy and “the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3). God alone has all authority; graven images cannot share His glory or praise (compare Exodus 8:10; 20:4). Both the servant and Isaiah’s audience are reminded that the servant’s mission will confirm that God is beyond comparison.
| What Do You Think? What’s the best way for Christians to guard against glorifying anything or anyone except God? Or is there a single best way? Explain. Digging Deeper |
Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.In Isaiah 41:22 (not in our lesson text), God challenges the idols to reveal the former things—the things God has revealed in prophecy and brought to pass later. Of course they cannot. God can reveal not only those things but also the ultimate end result. Events predicted about both Cyrus and the servant came to pass. This confirms the Lord’s sovereign authority.
The new things of the Old Testament era likely point to Israel’s restoration following the end of the Chaldean (Babylonian) exile (see Isaiah 43:19–21). Once again, though, historical hindsight tells us that God’s plan for His people will remain largely unfulfilled until the coming of the servant Jesus and His perfect work. Because of this, there is hope for all the world.
Regarding the beginning of the New Testament (new covenant) era, the Jews of Jesus’ day will hope for a militaristic Messiah to come and, like Cyrus, deliver them from the oppression of a foreign nation. To be rid of Roman rule would be the new start they want. During Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the people will cry out “Hosanna” (Matthew 21:9), which means “save” (compare 2 Samuel 14:4; 2 Kings 6:26). This is both an appeal of prayer and an exclamation of praise.
Jesus is certainly worthy of loud and absolute praise (Revelation 5:12)! Yet the humble Messiah ends up being much different from what anyone expects. The past, present, and future king of the universe comes not as one to be served “but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).Conclusion
A. In His Steps
The biblical concept of judgment represents God’s righteous world order. At His first coming, Jesus treated people more than justly; when Jesus walked the earth, He overcame enemies with gentleness and love. When He returns, He will judge the world based on how each person treated “the least of these” (Matthew 25:45). At His first coming, the Lord’s servant inaugurated God’s just and right order from a position of apparent weakness when compared to worldly strength; in so doing, He is an example for us so that we can “follow [in] his steps” (1 Peter 2:21–23).
The Holy Spirit, working through Scripture and circumstances, motivates Christ’s followers to take His gospel to the ends of the earth. For more than 2,000 years, Christians have borne witness to Jesus through evangelism (see Matthew 28:18–20) and ministries of mercy: establishing hospitals and schools, caring for prisoners and the poor, and participating in countless other charities (25:34–40).
Particularly challenging for most of us is following the manner and attitude of the servant’s life and ministry. It’s not easy to surrender the self-centeredness and assertiveness that has been with us since birth in the surrounding culture. But God’s Word calls us to pattern our lives after His servant Jesus (Philippians 2:4–8). How will you follow the example of Jesus? How will you serve?B. Prayer
We thank You, Father, for sending the promised servant to save us and inaugurate Your justice on earth. May the Holy Spirit empower us with the courage to follow Your servant’s humble example as we serve Him and those around us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Jesus is the champion of justice and the servant of all servants.
KID’SCORNER
The Law and the Will of God
Sunday 5, 20200
John 7:14-24
John 7:14-24
(John 7:14) But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach.
After the crowds had plenty of time to discuss Jesus and who He was at the Feast of Booths, Jesus went into the temple to teach. John did not record what Jesus taught, but we know Jesus taught in parables (see Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and Jesus also taught in figures of speech (see John). Earlier in His ministry, Jesus had cleansed the temple and driven out the moneychangers. In John 7: 7, Jesus had told His brothers that He testified that the world’s works are evil, so He might have done continued to do that in the temple. Jesus may have taught from the Hebrew scriptures and encouraged people to repent of their sins, as John the Baptist had preached.
(John 7:15) The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?”
The cheers “the religious leaders” are concerned about the “academic credentials” of their teachers. For example, the apostle Paul said his “academic credentials” included having Gamaliel has his teacher (Acts 22:3). As far as they could tell, Jesus had no “academic credentials.” He did not quote the teachers who had gone before Him as authorities. They did not know anyone who taught Jesus what He knew. Yet, they admitted and were astonished at Jesus’ knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures and His application and interpretation of them.
(John 7:16) So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me.
Note carefully: Jesus did not say, “My teaching is mine.” No. Just as they had teachers, so did Jesus. Jesus said His teaching was the teaching of the one who sent him. We know the one who sent Jesus was the Father in heaven. The authorities could have understood that has what Jesus meant, but Jesus was humble and pointed people to the teaching of God, who had taught them the truth in their Scriptures. In John: 11, Jesus included the Father and himself when He told Nicodemus: “we speak of what we know and testify to what we’ve seen.” Jesus astonished people because Is teaching was the teaching of God.
(John 7:17) “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.
Jesus gave the religious leaders a universal truth that applies to everyone at all times. To know the truth of God, the truth about God, to know God, you must first resolve to do the will of God. Notice: Jesus did not say resolve to obey the law of God, for these religious leaders had many interpretations of the law of God, and yet, they did not know God. If someone truly wants to do the will of God, the Holy Spirit, will find a way to lead them to Jesus and His teaching for His teaching is from God and not His own apart from God.
(John 7:18) “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
I have heard and read people who have said in so many words, “the Bible says [fill in the blank], but I believe [fill in the blank]” or “the Bible says it is wrong to [fill in the blank], but I think it is okay to [fill in the blank].” Jesus would say these people are seeking their own glory. They are placing themselves above the Bible and judging the Bible to be wrong. Jesus refused to do that. Jesus sought to glorify, honor, proclaim, tell the truth about, His Father (and our Father) who sent Him. The Father is true and Jesus was true to God and His Word. There is nothing false in the Father or the Son (See Titus 1:2 and Hebrews 6:18). As Christians, we seek the glory of the Father and the Son. They are true and there is nothing false in them were in their words to us.
(John 7:19) “Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet none of you carries out the Law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”
The religious leaders did not resolve to do the will of God; if they had they would have recognized that Jesus’ teaching was from God. They took pride in their knowledge of the law and of their “academic credentials” that they thought made them authorities on the right interpretation of God’s law. They thought Jesus was wrong. But as Jesus pointed out none of them were obeying the law of God. If they obeyed God’s law, they would love God and their neighbor, and they would live as Micah revealed in Micah 6:8 — “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Instead, Jesus knew that they plotted to kill Him; so He spoke to their conscience, which He knew they had hardened against Him.
(John 7:20) The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who seeks to kill You?”
The crowd could not see into the hearts or understand the intentions of their religious leaders. Instead, they thought Jesus was crazy to say such an outlandish thing, for they were listening intently to the discussion between Jesus and their leaders. Jesus knew the leaders hated Him and wanted to kill Him even before He left Galilee. Jesus did not defend himself or His teaching or answer their questions. Instead, Jesus kept His focus on the Hebrew Scriptures and spoke to their conscience (as hard as it was).
(John 7:21) Jesus answered them, “I did one deed, and you all marvel.
Jesus referred back to the work He performed at the pool of Bethsaida when He healed a man who had been held for 38 years. The healing of the man astonished them, especially the crowd who had probably heard of the man’s being healed by Jesus and perhaps knew the man. But, the religious leaders believe that according to their interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures Jesus had broken the Sabbath and deserved to die. They did not keep the law of Moses in their hearts, and they would soon kill Jesus.
(John 7:22) “For this reason Moses has given you circumcision (not because it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a man.
Jesus displayed part of his learning when he qualified that circumcision went back to the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and not just as far back as the time of Moses. Male Jews were circumcised on the eighth day after they were born, even when they were born on the Sabbath when no work was to be done. Circumcision took precedence over the rule against working on the Sabbath. Gentiles who converted to Judaism as adult males would also be circumcised on the Sabbath as taking precedence over the law of the Sabbath.
(John 7:23) “If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath?
When two ceremonial laws conflicted, the Jews decided the law regarding circumcision was the most important to obey. Circumcision was surgery on one small part of the body. If circumcision or surgery was allowed on one part of the body, Jesus said that healing a man’s whole body was even more important; therefore, healing could be done on the Sabbath as taking precedence over the law of the Sabbath; therefore, they should not be angry with Him. They did not know or want to obey the law of love that would heal someone whenever given the opportunity no matter what day of the week it was.
(John 7:24) “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
The “religious leaders” soft glory for themselves and thought Jesus was seeking glory for himself. They thought Jesus healing on the Sabbath was one way He was seeking to draw attention to himself. They judged by appearances. They thought Jesus had no concern about obeying the law of God; therefore, He violated the Sabbath laws. They judged by appearances. If they had just right judgment, they would have judged that Jesus acted in love to heal a sick man whenever He had the opportunity to matter what day it was. Obeying the law of love for God and others took precedence over obeying a ceremonial law or Sabbath observance.
The Law and the Will of God
Sunday 5, 20200
John 7:14-24
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself (John 7:17—KJV). If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself (John 7:17—NASB). Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own (John 7:17—NRSV). First, consider what Jesus did not say. Jesus did not say, “Anyone who resolves to do the law of God will know,” because this was the standard of judgment used by the scribes and Pharisees. The main occupation of the Pharisees was debating, defining, and defending the law of God as they understood it from previous teachers over hundreds of years. Based on their interpretation of the Law of Moses, they had already decided that Jesus was breaking the law of God. They accused Jesus of breaking the law of the Sabbath when He healed the sick on the Sabbath and of desecrating the name of God when He called God His Father. Now, consider what Jesus truly promised, “Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know.” But what is “the will of God”? In general, we would say, “Love God and love your neighbor,” but that was the Law of Love the Pharisees also debated, so Jesus told them the Parable of the Good Samaritan to explain it (see Luke 10:25-37). Those Jesus spoke to desperately needed to understand and resolve to do the will of God as declared by the prophet in Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” If people truly resolve to do the will of God, they will understand whether Jesus’ teaching or anyone else’s teaching is from the Father, the Person who sent Jesus, or human philosophers and speculators.
Thinking Further
The Law and the Will of God
Sunday 5, 20200
John 7:14-24
Name _____________________________
- What is the Law of God?
- Is there a problem with the Law of God? Explain your answer.
- What is the Will of God?
- Is there a problem with the Will of God? Explain your answer.
- How can someone know if Jesus, or anyone else, was sent from God or not?
Discussion and Thinking Further
- What is the Law of God? The Law of God is the Law of Love: the requirement or rule of God to love God and our neighbors. The Law of Love sums up the Ten Commandments, also called the Moral Law of God, and the commandments of Jesus, which He often illustrated with parables.
- Is there a problem with the Law of God? Explain your answer. No. The problem is with people who misinterpret the Law of God, such as the Pharisees with all their traditions regarding the meaning and application of the Law of God: the religious elite who wanted to control others, but who did not obey the Law of God themselves. They loved neither God nor their neighbors.
- What is the Will of God? The will of God is that we rightly understand and resolve to rightly apply the Law of Love; such as, God’s declaration through the prophets like the Prophet Micah in Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Supremely, God wills that everyone repent of their sins, believe Jesus, and believe in Jesus as the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and their Lord and Savior.
- Is there a problem with the Will of God? Explain your answer. No. But some think the will of God is obeying the Law of God without truly loving God and their neighbors, without needing to turn from their sins and trust in Jesus, the Son of God, the Word made flesh, for salvation, to receive the power to become children of God, to receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, to receive the gift of eternal life, and many wonderful blessings.
- How can someone know if Jesus, or anyone else, was sent from God or not? If a person wills or resolves to do the will of God, by the power of God and the truth of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, they will learn, believe, and come to know that Jesus was sent from God and Jesus was teaching the truth of God. They will know that Jesus was not speaking on His own. By the grace of God and the truth of God in the Bible, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, those who will to do the will of God will recognize a false messiah, a false prophet, or a false teacher of God—people that Jesus told believers to always be aware of and avoid.
Word Search
The Law and the Will of God
Sunday 5, 20200
John 7:14-24
Name _____________________________________
G P R I G U R A S L H A Y E A
Z T U W A V F Q U P F T V C G
F Y E T S Y S E V L O S E R O
C Q R A Q H K R X Q D G A L N
I N G O C F I N D E Y E K G B
R V A E L H L Z H N I T J E K
C W G J Z G L S S A B B A T H
U E P A P E I W E O J O M T P
M X Y H D N S L A B E Z W N O
C J E Z O K P L T L S M P E Y
I A B T B M V W A O U B F M R
S Z S I E N J E I F S J N G I
E A X T U R H K U L V O Q D G
S F J W Y O N F T R L E F U H
D E M O N R S R J Y T C V J T
Temple
Teach
Astonished
Resolves
Will
Glory
True
False
Law
Demon
Kill
Circumcise
Sabbath
Right
Judgment
True and False Test
The Law and the Will of God
Sunday 5, 20200
John 7:14-24
Name ________________________________
Circle the True or False answers. Correct the False statements by restating them.
- Jesus went to the Festival of Booths but did not enter the temple because of the large crowds that followed Him. True or False
- The religious leaders said Jesus had never been taught. True or False
- Jesus’ learning astonished the Jews. True or False
- Jesus said His teaching was the teaching of the one who sent Him. True or False
- Those who did the will of God knew that Jesus was speaking on His own authority. True or False
- Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether Jesus’ teaching is from God or not. True or False
- Moses gave the law of God, but only the religious leaders kept the law of God because they knew the Scriptures and the crowds did not. True or False
- Since Jesus did not go into the temple, no one wanted to kill Him. True or False
- After hearing Jesus talk about people wanting to kill Him, the crowd said Jesus had a demon. True or False
- Jesus said that He had healed a man’s whole body on the Sabbath. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
Prayer
We thank You, Father, for sending the promised servant to save us and inaugurate Your justice on earth. May the Holy Spirit empower us with the courage to follow Your servant’s humble example as we serve Him and those around us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.