But Jesus did, eventually, go to the feast. (Here’s the story about not going.) He waited until people were expecting him, talking about him, wondering where he was.

His timing is perfect.

Reading through John 7, we get a cross-section of reactions to him. They show how different groups viewed  him and also how opinions shifted while he spoke.

• A good man.
• A con man.
• An untrained yet brilliant teacher.
• Demon-possessed.
• The one they were trying to kill.
• The one the authorities have decided not to kill.
• The one whose roots we know.
• The one who can’t be grabbed.
• The one who might be the Christ.
• The one who can’t be talked about for fear of the leaders.
• The one who can’t be ignored.
• The prophet.
• The Christ.
• The traveler to the gentiles.
• The one who divides opinions.

What’s interesting to watch through this chapter is that the more he speaks, the less middle ground he leaves.  He talks about where he comes from, whose work he is doing. He talks about the activities that are permitted on the Sabbath. He talks about providing living water.

And, just like a blogger, just like a talk show host, the more he says, the less room he leaves for people who want to define him in ways that suit them, that leave them unchallenged.

By including all these reactions, John helps us see that the people who were listening to Jesus talk in real time were still invited to choose. Some people consistently chose a view that supported their power. Some people shifted their opinions based on whether or not they liked what he said in a particular speech. And some people decided that they would be shaped by him rather than shaping him.

The third position was about faith. It still is.

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For last time today, I’m asking for feedback about 300wordaday.com. I would be grateful for your thoughts. (and thanks to those who have already responded.) I’ll let you know some of what I’ve learned starting next week.