Lent Day 19 [3.11.2026] Emmanuel

Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. - John 7:17

Scripture: John 7:1-24

Our scripture introduces the tradition known as the Festival of Tabernacles. The Festival of Tabernacles was the final celebration and tradition that God had commanded the Israelites to perform. It took place in the season of final harvest and commemorated God’s provision, presence, and guidance during Israel’s forty year journey in the wilderness. The festival lasted for eight days during which attendees would construct and live in leafy shelters to represent the nomadic life of their ancestors. Daily sacrifices were made and the harvest was celebrated in thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness and provision. At this point in His ministry, Jesus has gained significant public attention that leads to tension between Him and His brothers who underhandedly challenge Jesus to show up publicly to the Festival of Tabernacles knowing full well that many Jewish leaders were searching for a reason to arrest Him. Jesus refuses and decides to attend secretly. Through His lens we are able to discover a great divide between the peoples regarding Jesus. Some were claiming that Jesus was a good man while others claimed He was a deceiver, yet no one dared to express their thoughts publicly in fear of the Jewish leaders. Mid-ceremony, Jesus enters the temple and begins to preach. Everyone is amazed at His teachings and wonder how Jesus had gained so much wisdom and authority. Jesus replies that His wisdom and authority dos not come from Himself but from the One who sent Him. He does not speak or live for His own glory, but for the glory of God. He declares there is not falsehood in Him or His teachings, but the Jewish leaders who would break the law of the Sabbath for circumcision but not to save a life are sinking in their hypocrisy. In a festival meant to celebrate God’s provision, Jesus grieves at their rejection of the Messiah because their celebration has become meaningless and empty. The Festival of Tabernacles was ultimately a reminder of God’s presence with His people that rested in the tabernacle. It was a celebration that God was with them and would one day send a Savior to redeem them. Yet, even as the One was preaching in their midst they denied His words and called Him demon-possessed.

Reflection:

1.          Why do you think Jesus attended the Festival of Tabernacles secretly at first?

2.          Why does knowing Jesus give meaning to every other reason to celebrate in our lives (birthday, marriage etc…)?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for teaching me about your intention and heart. You did not seek personal glory but the glory of your Father in Heaven. Guide me to live my life as a pleasing sacrifice to Him. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

제목: 임마누엘

본문: 요한복음 7:1–24

오늘 본문은 초막절(Festival of Tabernacles)이라는 전통을 소개합니다. 초막절은 하나님께서 이스라엘 백성에게 지키라고 명하신 마지막 절기였습니다. 이 절기는 마지막 추수의 시기에 열렸으며, 이스라엘이 광야에서 40년 동안 지내는 동안 하나님께서 베푸신 공급, 임재, 인도하심을 기념하는 축제였습니다.

이 축제는 8일 동안 계속되었으며, 사람들은 나뭇잎으로 만든 임시 초막을 지어 그 안에서 생활했습니다. 이것은 조상들이 광야에서 떠돌며 살았던 삶을 기억하기 위한 것이었습니다. 매일 제사가 드려졌고, 하나님께서 베푸신 추수의 은혜를 감사하며 기념했습니다.

이 시점에서 예수님의 사역은 이미 많은 사람들의 주목을 받고 있었고, 그로 인해 예수님과 그의 형제들 사이에도 긴장이 생겼습니다. 예수님의 형제들은 예수님이 공개적으로 초막절에 나타나기를 은근히 부추깁니다. 그들은 유대 지도자들이 예수님을 체포할 이유를 찾고 있다는 사실을 알고 있었습니다.

예수님은 처음에는 그 제안을 거절하시고, 나중에 조용히 축제에 참석하십니다. 이 장면을 통해 우리는 예수님에 대한 사람들의 의견이 크게 갈라져 있음을 보게 됩니다. 어떤 사람들은 예수님을 선한 사람이라고 말했고, 다른 사람들은 사람들을 속이는 자라고 말했습니다. 그러나 유대 지도자들을 두려워했기 때문에 아무도 공개적으로 자신의 생각을 말하지 못했습니다.

축제가 한창 진행되는 중에 예수님은 성전에 올라가 가르치기 시작하셨습니다. 사람들은 예수님의 가르침에 놀라며, 정식 교육을 받지 않은 사람이 어떻게 이렇게 큰 지혜와 권위를 가질 수 있는지 궁금해했습니다.

예수님은 자신의 지혜와 권위가 자신에게서 나온 것이 아니라 자신을 보내신 하나님에게서 나온 것이라고 말씀하십니다. 예수님은 자신의 영광을 위해 말씀하거나 행동하지 않고, 오직 하나님 아버지의 영광을 위해 사신다고 선언하십니다.

또한 예수님은 자신 안에는 거짓이 없다고 말씀하시며, 유대 지도자들의 위선을 지적하십니다. 그들은 할례를 위해 안식일의 규정을 어기면서도 사람의 생명을 살리는 일에는 분노했습니다.

하나님의 공급을 기념해야 할 축제 가운데서, 예수님은 사람들이 메시아를 거부하고 있는 현실을 보며 슬퍼하십니다. 초막절은 하나님께서 성막 가운데서 백성과 함께 계셨다는 사실을 기억하는 절기였습니다. 즉, 하나님이 그들과 함께 계시며 언젠가 구원자를 보내실 것이라는 약속을 기념하는 축제였습니다.

그러나 바로 그 구원자가 그들 가운데 서서 말씀하고 계셨음에도 불구하고, 사람들은 그분의 말씀을 거부하고 심지어 귀신 들렸다고까지 말했습니다.

묵상 질문

1. 예수님은 왜 처음에는 초막절에 조용히 참석하셨다고 생각합니까?

2. 예수님을 아는 것이 왜 우리의 삶의 모든 기쁨과 축하(생일, 결혼 등)에 참된 의미를 주는 것일까요?

   
   

기도

사랑하는 예수님, 주님의 마음과 뜻을 가르쳐 주셔서 감사합니다. 주님은 자신의 영광이 아니라 하늘 아버지의 영광을 위해 사셨습니다. 저의 삶도 하나님께 기쁨이 되는 산 제물이 되도록 인도해 주세요. 예수님의 이름으로 기도합니다. 아멘.