In this Text we see the Pharisees’ attitude that they are “better” than anyone else in Israel, in the world really. Isaiah 65:5a applies here … “Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.”

Then God evaluates that kind of pride … “These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.”(Isaiah 65:5b)

Wow!

Nazareth, Jesus’ supposed hometown (really He was born in Bethlehem) was so small a village that virtually no one knew it existed! Even Nathaniel asked, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?”

The noun for “town” John uses here is “kome” in Greek. The word is related to the Greek “keimai,” a verb meaning “to lay down” … as when one goes to bed. In other words, Nazareth was what we’d call today a “bedroom community.” No one much worked there. Employment had to be sought elsewhere!

So Jesus really did grow up as “a root out of dry ground,” Isaiah 53:2. But all this arguing is moot, Jesus came from Heaven, from God, as His only Begotten Son!

I mentioned in the class that that Nicodemus advised the whole Sanhedrin to “hear” Jesus (investigate) before coming to a conclusion, before judging Him! Here are some References I did not have time to include in the recording …

Deuteronomy 1:16-17 … “And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.”

And Deuteronomy 19:18 as well. “And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother.”

Our Text also mention Nicodemus again.

Nicodemus’ spiritual path to salvation …

Midnight (John 3), Twilight (here in John 7) then daylight (John 19, boldly claiming the Body of Jesus for respectful Burial)!

“Instead of arresting Jesus, the Temple Police were arrested by Jesus, by His Words!” That’s a great quote!

Messiah (in Greek “Christ”) means “anointed” … and the ancient Jews anointed three “offices” of people. Namely, Kings and Prophets and Priests! And Jesus fulfilled all three Roles perfectly!

Hallelujah!

I hope this material I forgot (or left out due to time constraints) will make you want to watch the whole Lesson now …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell