a) Feasts - The law commanded that three times a year all the males of the covenant people were to appear before the Lord in the place that he should choose, that is, in
i) the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
ii) in the Feast of Weeks, and
iii) in the Feast of Tabernacles (Ex. 23:14–17; Deut. 16:16)
b) The Feast of Unleavened Bread – Passover – occurred in the spring, and celebrated the passing over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when God smote the firstborn of the Egyptians, and more generally the redemption from Egypt
c) The Feast of Weeks – Pentecost - Fifty days (Lev. 23:16) after the Feast of the Passover, the Feast of Pentecost was kept. During those 50 days the harvest of corn was being gathered in. It is called (Ex. 23:16) “the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours” and (Deut. 16:10) “the feast of weeks.”
i) Pentecost is Greek for “50 days”
ii) Commemorates the Lord giving Moses the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai
d) The Feast of Tabernacles
i) Reading 1 – Excerpt from Bible Dictionary, “Feasts,” page 672 - The Feast of Tabernacles or of Ingathering, called by later Jews the Feast, and reckoned by them to be the greatest and most joyful of all, was celebrated on the fifteenth to twenty-first days of the seventh month. To the seven days was added an eighth (“the last day, that great day of the feast” (John 7:37), a day of holy convocation, which marked the ending not only of this particular feast, but of the whole festival season. The events celebrated were the sojourning of the children of Israel in the wilderness, and the gathering-in of all the fruits of the year. The sacrifices prescribed by the law were more numerous than for any other feast, and impressive ceremonies were added in later times, that is, (1) the drawing of water from Siloam and its libation on the altar (of this it was said that he who has not seen the joy of the drawing of water at the Feast of Tabernacles does not know what joy is); and (2) the illumination of the temple courts by four golden candelabra. It is probably to these ceremonies that our Lord refers in John 7:37 and 8:12. (3) The making of a canopy of willows over the altar. The characteristic rite of the Feast of Tabernacles was the dwelling in booths made of the boughs of trees.
ii) Reading 2 - Elder Bruce R. McConkie described the Feast of Tabernacles as follows: "Coming five days after the Day of Atonement, it was thus celebrated when the sins of the chosen people had been removed and when their special covenant relation to Jehovah had been renewed and restored. Above all other occasions it was one for rejoicing, bearing testimony, and praising the Lord. In the full sense, it is the Feast of Jehovah, the one Mosaic celebration which, as part of the restitution of all things, shall be restored when Jehovah comes to reign personally upon the earth for a thousand years. Even now we perform one of its chief rituals in our solemn assemblies, the giving of the Hosanna Shout, and the worshipers of Jehovah shall yet be privileged to exult in other of its sacred rituals." (Promised Messiah, p426)
e) The events we will study today took place at the time of The Feast of Tabernacles, six months before Christ would be crucified
f) Remember three weeks ago, we talked about the Gospel of John and how John’s record was different than the other three and was primarily written for members of the Church.
g) The events at the Feast of Tabernacles are recorded only by John
2. Jesus attends the Feast of Tabernacles and teaches in the temple.
a) Jesus is in Galilee because it is too dangerous for him to teach in Judea, where Jerusalem lies
i) His kinsmen invite him to go to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem
ii) He responds that he will not go
iii) Later goes to the feast separately and in secret
b) Reading 3 – John 7:14-17
14¶Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
i) Verse 16 - My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me
ii) Verse 17 - If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine
iii) Verse 17 - whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself
iv) Reading 4 - Elder John K. Carmack of the Seventy said: “Jesus explained, ‘If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself’ (John 7:17). In other words, as you try it you can know it is true. This requires the faith to try, but it yields spiritual evidence. To the disciple who tries the experiment will come conviction, knowledge, and light” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1988, 32; or Ensign, Nov. 1988, 26).
v) Also reminded of Alma’s great discourse on planting seeds and seeing if they will grow in Alma 32.
vi) ASK – How would you respond to someone who objected to the idea of obeying a commandment before knowing whether it was true?
vii) READ - Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: "In the final analysis the truth of doctrine can only be known by revelation gained as a result of obedience." (Mormon Doctrine, p205)
c) The response of the people in Jerusalem is mixed – some believe He is the Christ and some undercut him.
3. A woman taken in adultery is brought to Jesus
a) Reading 5 – John 8:3-11
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
i) This event takes place as Jesus is teaching in the temple
ii) Verse 3 - the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery
(1) The Temple wasn’t an appropriate place to bring this woman
iii) Verse 4 - They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
(1) Someone witnessed the act of adultery – who?
(2) Where is the man who committed adultery with her? He was also guilty.
iv) Verse 5 - Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
(1) Law of Moses required stoning for adultery
(2) Law of Rome held the power of punishment by death and would not execute someone for adultery
(3) This was a trap
v) Verse 6 – Christ makes no response
(1) Perhaps wanted them to think about what they were doing
(2) This was done by the religious leaders of the covenant people
(3) Draw more attention to them
(4) What about the woman’s feelings? She was just a pawn to the Pharisees
(5) The best response of the Pharisees would have been to take the woman away, but they kept asking
vi) Verse 7 - He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
(1) Under Mosaic law, where punishment for a violation was stoning, the first stone was to be cast by the witness to the crime.
(2) Since this woman was taken in the very act and no man was standing beside her, also being accused, her accuser would be an adulterer
(3) Christ is without sin, but he does not cast a stone
vii) Verse 8 – Christ again waits without speaking
viii) Verse 9 - they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one
ix) Verse 9 - Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst
x) Verse 10 - Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
xi) Verse 11 – The woman truthfully answers that none of her accusers are present.
xii) Verse 11 - Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
(1) ASK – Is Christ saying he approves of adultery?
(2) He says he will not condemn her to death under Mosaic law
(3) He tells her to sin no more
(a) READ – President Spencer W. Kimball wrote: His command to her was, “Go and sin no more.” He was directing the sinful woman to go her way, abandon her evil life, commit no more sin, transform her life. He was saying, “Go, woman, and start your repentance”; and he was indicating to her the beginning step–to abandon her transgressions. (Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 165)
(4) Reading 6 - Elder Marvin J. Ashton said: “The scribes and Pharisees brought before the Savior a woman taken in adultery. Their purpose was not to show love for either the woman or the Savior, but to embarrass and trick Jesus. … Jesus did not condone adultery; there is no doubt about His attitude toward proper moral conduct. [But] He chose to teach with love—to show the scribes and Pharisees the need of serving the individual for her best good and to show the destructive forces of trickery and embarrassment” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1981, 31–32; or Ensign, May 1981, 24).
(5) Joseph Smith translation adds this postscript: “And the woman glorified God from that hour, and believed on his name.”
4. Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.”
a) The last day of the Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated with rejoicing and illuminations of the temple both inside and outside by four huge candelabra that could be seen from everywhere in the city. This day represented for the Jews the Messianic day, the prophesied return of the house of David to the throne of Israel in power and glory.
b) Reading 7 – John 8:12
12¶Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
c) Reading 8 – Doctrine and Covenants 84:45-46
45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.
d) READ – Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-13
6He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;
7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.
8As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;
9As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;
10And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.
11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;
12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—
13The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.
e) Reading 9 – John 8:31-36
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33¶They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
5. Jesus Declares Himself to be Living Water
a) During the Feast of the Tabernacles, every morning of the feast, water was drawn from the pool of Siloam and poured over the altar in the temple. Of this it was said that he who has not seen the joy of the drawing of the water at the Feast of Tabernacles does not know what joy is. (Bible Dictionary, p. 673)
b) Reading 10 – John 7:27-38
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
c) Remember the woman of Samaria at the well, another event recorded by John
i) READ – John 4:10-11,13-14
10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
11The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
SKIP
13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Conclusion
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