Beloved Unbeliever

Brian McCoy

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May 9, 2021

John’s gospel isn’t a memoir of his experience following Jesus. He wrote his gospel to persuade people to believe in Jesus for eternal life. (John 20:31) So his gospel is put together to show that Jesus is the eternal Son of God, come into the world to save us from our sins.

But John 7 is mainly about unbelief and there are three sets of unbelieving people in this text. “The Jews” or religious leaders who want to kill Jesus. “The people,” who are divided about Jesus – some think He’s a good man, others think He’s a deceiver. And then a third, surprising group – Jesus’ brothers.

Why wouldn’t they believe? Why don’t people believe in Jesus? This text tells us. The problem with unbelief lies underneath our doubts and questions. It’s not a lack of evidence that gets in the way. And it’s not that God hasn’t shown Himself enough. It’s something deeper. The big idea is this: Jesus doesn’t expect perfect clarity from you or strong ability from you, but a willing receptivity to do the will of God.

Scripture: John 7:1-24; Matthew 13:56, Mark 6:3, 3:20-21; John 3:16, 6:51, 6:37; Matthew 11:28, 14:31; Romans 9:2-3; 1 Peter 3:1-2; 1 Timothy 2:1-4

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