Are Ye Also Deceived? If Any Man Do His Will He Shall Know of The Doctrine, Whether It Be of God - Part 1350

"Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees -- believed on Him?" (John 7:49)

This is an interesting question given that Jesus declared, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink. He that believes on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37-38)

At the time, the Jews sought to kill Jesus. Earlier, the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand, and Jesus would not walk in Jewry [Judea] because of the situation. Jesus told them it was because "My time is not yet come, but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you, but Me it hates, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil" (John 7:1-8)

Jesus told His brethren to go up unto this feast, but Jesus abode still in Galilee. When His brethren were gone up, Jesus also went up unto the feast but not openly. As we know, the Jews asked, "Where is He?" causing much murmuring among the people concerning Him. (John 7:9-13)

Later, about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught, and the Jews marveled, saying, "How knows this man letters, having never learned?" Jesus answered them, and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me. If any man will do His will, He shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or I speak of Myself. He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory; but He that seeks His glory that sent Him, the same is true and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keep the law? Why go ye about to kill Me?" (John 7:14-19)

You see, the rulers, along with the Pharisees were supposed to be 'learned' men, and also familiar with the historical record contained within the old testament. As we read however, we see that they all marveled, even though Jesus had only done one work. (John 7:20-21)

Jesus went on to boldly proclaim -- "Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at Me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgement." (John 7:22-24)

At this point, something dramatic begins to happen among those listening to Jesus' teachings. Some of them of Jerusalem started to ask if Jesus is the very Christ. "Howbeit we know this man whence He is, but when Christ comes, no man knows whence He is." (John 7:25-27) And many of the people believed on Him. Some considered Jesus to be a prophet, while others the Christ. Some even referred to the prophecy of old that stated, "That Christ comes of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was." (John 7:42; Micah 5:2)

Sound familiar? Do you remember when Jesus stood up in the synagogue and said, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." And all bare Him witness and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" (Luke 4:22-23; John 6:42; Acts 13:29)

Needless to say, there was a division among the people because of Jesus. This became too much for the chief priests and Pharisees who proceeded to send officers to capture Jesus. And some of them would have taken Him, according to scripture, but "no man laid hands on Him." (John 7:44)

Why? Because the appointed time was not yet.

Note also that the Holy Ghost was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:39) This scripture is one of many that refutes the modern day religious dogma that suggests the Holy Ghost is co-eternal and co-existent as a part of a tri-une God. But I digress.

When the officers came, the chief priests and Pharisees asked, "Why have ye not brought Him?" The officers answered, "Never man spake like this man." Then answered them the Pharisees, "Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on Him? But this people -- [this crowd] --who knows not the law are cursed?" (John 7:44-49)

But as we learn, the 'unlearned' crowd were not the only ones to marvel. Nicodemus (who had come to Jesus by night and who brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes about an hundred to clothe Jesus body with spices) also asked, "Doth our law judge man, before it hears him, and know what he does?" They answered and said unto Nicodemus, "Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look; for out of Galilee arises no prophet." (John 7:50-53; John 3:1-21; John 19:39; Deuteronomy 1:16; Deuteronomy 17:20)

But the learned of that day should have realized that one witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinned; but rather, at the mouth of three witnesses shall the matter be established. (Deuteronomy 19:15)

At the end of the day, Nicodemus actions answered the Pharisees' question.

"Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on Him?" (John 7:48)

And there is Nicodemus, along with the crowds not only believing on Jesus, but following Him too. Why? Because they knew that if any man or woman do His will, that person shall know the doctrine -- whether it be good or bad. And you will too, if you seek Him through His Word.

Stand in the offering plate.