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There was much grumbling among the crowds concerning Him {Jesus}; some were saying, “He is a good man”; others were saying, “No, on the contrary, He leads the people astray.”
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From the crib to the cross people have debated, even argued to the point of extreme violence, about who this Jesus was. And that question still hangs heavy today by the way. As always it is a question that is directed to all mankind in general, to followers, and then most importantly, to those who are His disciples. As it is also noted in the gospel of John, source of today’s verse, not even His own brothers were believing in Him at that point. {Jn.7:5}

The Lord was with His disciples as the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles as it is also called, was approaching. That is one of the annual Jewish festivals, and is basically a reminder, a celebration of God’s delivering His people from the bondage of Egypt. This was a stop along the way to Jerusalem, the Passover and the cross, the true deliverance for all!

Jesus asked His disciples who the people were saying that He was. {Mat.16:13} Their response made it clear that the Jewish people were not certain at all of who He was. Jesus then asks them the question of the ages, the one we all have to answer: “Who do you say I am?” {Mat.16:15} “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” {Mat.16:16-17}

To answer the question correctly takes revelation from the Father. But thanks be to God, it is no secret! He has been revealing who Jesus was from earliest times through prophesy and proclamation. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist the heavens were opened, and the Spirit of God descended as a dove lighting on Him, and the Father spoke out of the heavens saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” {Mat.3:16-17}

When Peter, James and John went up a mountain with Jesus where He was transfigured, His garments becoming radiant and exceedingly white as they were joined by Moses and Elijah—the law and the prophets—and again, God spoke from heaven: “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” {Mk.9:7} And, last but not least, as Jesus entered Jerusalem, headed for the cross to fulfill His ministry, the Father spoke from heaven and said with a thunderous voice, that He had glorified His name through Jesus and would glorify it again. {Jn.12:27-29}

You and I, all who have been saved by the love and the amazing grace of God, have a testimony and we are called to proclaim it to let others know of the mercy of God:

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)

TEST EVERYTHING BY THE WORD OF GOD