September 2, 2020 -- John 7:33-34 -- A carnival for worms?

Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am going you cannot come.”

John 7:33-34 English Standard Version

While Jesus conducted His earthly ministry He appeared to young and old, Jewish and non-Jewish, those who had maintained the Jewish faith and those who were far from any knowledge of God. Now He spoke with Pharisees and those who should have recognized Him as the Promised One. Based on all the Old Testament said of the Father’s great love, the prophesies of the Suffering Servant and the One Who would take away Israel’s shame and guilt—they should have received Jesus on bended knee. Here Jesus is speaking directly to those who should have recognized Him and acknowledged Him, He is speaking to the crowd that merely wants a miracle-working magician rather than a Savior—they will not see Him after His crucifixion and resurrection from the dead. When Jesus rises, only believers will see Him and be encouraged.

Yesterday I was listening to a sermon which Charles Haddon Spurgeon preached in the mid 1800’s. The manuscript of that sermon was read by narrator and many of Spurgeon’s sermons are available on various platforms! That sermon I listened to was so encouraging. Spurgeon made a point, quite graphically, he said: “Soon this body of mine must become a carnival for worms”. All of us die. It is the consequence of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden. He was our representative, the head of our race. His sin affects us all. Those who heard Jesus guessed that “where I am going you cannot come” meant He was going to die. That He would be a carnival for worms. How wrong they were!

Jesus was placed in a tomb, but death could not hold Him. Three days later He rose from that grave and He appeared to the women, to the disciples and to 500 (!) witnesses. He encouraged the believers. He did not appear before skeptics and those who would deny Him. Jesus is the New Adam, the Representative of all who believe, the Head of all who believe.

Beloved, now is the day of salvation. If the Spirit of God is stirring your curiosity and causing you to ask questions about Jesus, pursue this. Seek Him out. The Father in heaven sent Jesus as His Interpreter and the One Who explains and demonstrates the Father’s love. But don’t miss the warning, the time will come when people will hear no more. The door will close and those who do not believe will face terrible and fierce punishment because they did not believe in Jesus Christ. Read the Bible. Find a friend whose faith you admire. Ask your questions and take hold of your questions until you know Jesus Christ and His wonderful salvation.

King Jesus thank You for revealing Yourself and the Father! Thank You for the fact that the God of Splendor and Glory, Radiance and Power is the Father of all who believe in You, Jesus. Spirit of God, thank You for the questions stirred up in the hearts of those around us—coworkers, neighbours, friends, and family members. May we, who know and love Jesus, be prepared to answer questions. When there are things we don’t know, give us holy boldness to help them search out answers until they know Jesus. Bless us, Jesus, with the joy of seeing many people come to know You and worship You and obey You because of our testimony! Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05jKxv8ApuI