John 7:31-34

31 And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”

32 The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. 

33 Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. 

34 You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.”

“You Can’t Come Where I Am”…Such Scary Words!

“If another man is coming who is the Christ, how could he possibly do more signs than this man has already done?”, the believers in the crowd murmured amongst themselves. The Pharisees and chief priests heard all this and sent officers to arrest Jesus. The hardness of these Jewish leaders’ hearts is unbelievable to me. They have seen the same signs as all these other people, but they won’t budge. They don’t want anyone else receiving attention from the people other than themselves. These Pharisees and chief priests believe they are closer to God than anyone else. No one else is to put themselves above them in matters of religion or the law. Do we see people like this today? Do we see people who claim to be “religious” who think they are above others? The Pope is called the “holy father” and makes all decisions on matters of faith and morality for the Catholic Church. He is considered infallible and a representative of Jesus Christ here on earth. I believe these Pharisees thought so highly of themselves that they believed they were infallible.

A Catholic priest is called “father” and claims to forgive a person’s sins at confession. How can anyone think that a man has the authority to forgive sins? Some denominational preachers are called “reverend,” which elevates them above other men in the congregation. All of this is elevating men to the status of God. No one is above anyone else here on this earth. We are all supposed to represent Jesus Christ here on earth, not just one man. Why would we want a man to forgive our sins when we have Jesus as our high priest? We don’t need anyone else to give us access to God except Jesus Christ. What about us in the Lord’s church? Is it possible for us to think too highly of ourselves because of who we are and what we know? It certainly is! Sadly, I’ve seen it, and I’ve heard it in my past. I saw and heard things when I was very young that could have pushed me away from the church. Thankfully, I had humble parents who helped my young mind sort through things like that.

In the church today, some people appear to be strong Christians, but think and act like the “Pharisees”, just like there are people in the church who aren’t strong spiritually and are unfaithful. Both types of people are in the same boat with God. He is not pleased with either group. God wants us to do all we do in love (1 Corinthians 16:14). God doesn’t want us to elevate ourselves above anyone else (Philippians 2:3-4). I need to examine myself daily to make sure that I am a faithful Christian whose motive is purely love for God and others. 

In verses 33-34, Jesus says that He won’t always be with them. He was saying, “This is your opportunity to believe in Me. I won’t always be with you. I’ll soon be going back to My Father.” Then, He says some sad words, “You will look for Me, but you won’t find Me, and you won’t be able to come where I am going.” Someday, these unbelievers will beg for Jesus, but He won’t be there. They will want to be where Jesus is, but won’t be able to go there. Judgment day will be this way for people who are not Christians. Every single person who has rejected Jesus will want Him to advocate for them on that day, but He won’t be there. Every knee will bow before Him at that time, but it will be too late.  However, let’s look at the opposite side of this, though, the happy and joyful side that we read about in John 14:1-4, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go, you know, and the way you know.” Those verses are the opposite of what He told the unbelievers in John 7:34. As long as we obey Jesus, we will get to be with Him someday! Nothing on this earth is worth missing out on that! It is so important for those of us who know the truth to try our best to spread it to those who haven’t been taught. I always think of that song, “You Never Mentioned Him to Me”, and it cuts my heart. It hurts me to think of all the people that I haven’t talked to about the gospel in the past, simply because I wasn’t right with God myself. I had the Christian home. I had the upbringing, and didn’t follow it as I should have. I had the truth taught to me, but I didn’t share it, and I wasn’t a Christian example. I pray for opportunities to share it now and throughout the remainder of my life.

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)