John 7:1-13 | What is a lesson for the original audience?

A major lesson that stands out here is that the life of Jesus, and His timing, was calculated. His life was preserved up until a specific point in time where the fruit was ripe. He was not just dying at any old time. There was a place, a manner, and a time in which it was necessary for Jesus to die that the Scriptures would be fulfilled. Yet in the mean time, something really important is recognized.

In the previous chapter, John highlights a lot about the people around Him. There were multitudes who were following Him. But why were they following Him? They wanted Him for what they could get from Him. They did not want Him for Him. They were not looking to Him as Lord, as Savior, and many even missed Him as teacher. Eventually they all departed. Why? Unbelief.

When it comes to this passage where Jesus is speaking to His brothers, what important detail is noted about them? They did not believe either. Why would this be in there?

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
-John 15:18-20

John writes this passage from the words of Jesus later on in this book. Much of what John writes is for the sake that the readers would also be encouraged. He wants us to take joy in following Christ. Many of those in this time have lost friends, family, and status because of following Christ. To see that Jesus was also rejected despite doing everything perfectly should encourage the reader that the rejection of others is not directly indicative that you are doing something wrong.

What lesson are you seeing here?