Before proceeding, one thing needs to be clear. There is mention of the brothers of Jesus in this chapter. Catholics believe Mary remained a virgin even after giving birth to Jesus. Based on this belief, the brothers of Jesus in scripture mean cousins or relatives. One can go into debates about this, but this book is not the venue for such discussion.

Any time is the right time for those who are not in Jesus. Jesus works in his way and in his own time. He is never late. This right time also depends on the Father's timing. Jesus told his brothers it was not yet time. Even his brothers did not believe him and even his brothers were not able to sway him. Jesus is God. 

For times when Jesus seems absent, he is still there. Believe that Jesus is always there but is unrecognized, waiting for the right time.

The leaders were looking for Jesus. The multitude could not agree about him. Yet, despite all these discussions, John wrote, “No one spoke openly about him.” Everyone kept their own opinions about Jesus to themselves. At the right time, Jesus went up and taught. People were amazed at what he knew because he had no formal education.

Knowing the Father

Jesus learned from his Father and repeated what the Father said. Jesus said, “If anyone wants to do the will of the Father, he will know about the teaching whether it is from God or from myself.” There are a lot of ideas about Jesus. But which ones are true?

One must be discerning in what one hears. To discern what is being taught, to see whether it is from God or not, one must have the sincere desire to know the truth.

To know whether one is righteous or not, one must see whose glory that person is seeking. If that person seeks God's glory, then he will stay true. If he seeks his own glory, then that person will not stay true. Jesus seeks the glory of the Father - the one who sent him. Jesus is true because he is the Truth.

Preachers should seek the glory of the Father. Otherwise, Jesus will accuse them and challenge their beliefs and assumptions. The leaders wanted to kill Jesus. Similarly, those who seek their own glory seek to stifle the message of Jesus. They will twist the truth to please other people. But Jesus will have none of that. He challenges people of their beliefs when they are wrong.

Believing in Jesus

To believe in Jesus is to be open to his leading. This will allow one to see things through God's eyes and judge by what is right.

Jesus was sent by the Father. He said, “I know him, because I am from him and he sent me.” Because of this claim, people wanted to take him. But again, he escaped because it was not his time. Jesus was in control. The leaders could not take hold of him. The multitude believed in him because of the signs he performed. The leaders saw this and they plotted to arrest him.

Jesus already prophesied he would be leaving. Where he was going, no one could follow. The reason for this is because he is the only one who can redeem the world.

“You will seek me and not find me.” When Jesus seems absent, he is actually redeeming us. Only he can do this. We will search for him at that time and not find him.

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.” To come to Jesus is to believe in him. The result of this is rivers of Living Water will flow from him. This is the Holy Spirit as was shown in Chapter 4 with the Samaritan woman.

The multitude believed in Jesus, but the leaders did not. They knew their scripture, and although the fulfillment of scripture was before them they could not recognize it. They continued to cling to their idea of who the Messiah was so when Jesus confronted them, they could not see. The people believed because of what they heard.