The first step in deciding about Jesus

Read John 7.

It was time for the annual celebration of the Feast of Booths.  Every October the nation gathered for a week of thanksgiving for the harvest of their crops.  Many people would make shelters of tree limbs for tents and use them for that week as a remembrance of how God provided for the nation, even during the wilderness wanderings.

Jesus had been ministering in Galilee.  In verse 3, his half-brothers urged Him to join them on the journey to Jerusalem.  They went so far as to tell Jesus that this was a perfect time to reveal Himself to the nation.  But the Scriptures here make it clear that their motives lay in their unbelief.  In other words, after all He had already done and said, they were still asking Jesus to prove His claims.

There should be no confusion about the next several verses where Jesus appears to say He is not going and then does attend the feast.  His response to His earthly family showed that He will go in His own way, for His own purposes, and in His own time, not theirs.  Timing is a repeated concept throughout the Gospel of John.  Indeed, Jesus did go to Jerusalem but waited until the middle of the week (v.14).

He used the opportunity to teach.  Jesus taught the truth (v.18 and v.28) with authority given to Him by God, the Father "who sent me."  Mentioning that there were those who wanted to kill Him, He foretold, in veiled terms, of His own death, resurrection, and ascension back to heaven (vv.32-36).  Then, in verses 37-39, "on the last day of the feast" Jesus repeated the message of John 4 and His offer to give people "living water."  This living water not only satisfies the soul but flows out to serve others in spiritual need.  This work of the Holy Spirit in one's life is only for those who believe in Jesus (John 1:12).

The responses were mixed.
Some challenged Jesus with disbelief (v.5).
Some concluded that Jesus was demonically possessed (v.20).
Some committed to a plan to kill Jesus (vv.25 and 44).
Some considered the words of Jesus (v.46).

What is the sticking point?  What is the requirement for one to cross the line of faith and embrace Jesus as personal Lord and Savior?  "If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God..." (v.17).  The first question is, "Do you really want to know the truth or not?"