The Antagonism Between Christ and the World
G. Calthrop, M. A. John 7:1-18 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.… I. CHRIST'S POSITION ONE OF ANTAGONISM TO THE GENERAL CURRENT OF HUMAN THOUGHT AND FEELING. The great idol of humanity is self. Every one worships it in one form or other. Christ comes to overthrow this idol and to claim all men for His Father. This claim is resented. In other words, Christ, by His Person, teaching, example, testifies of the world that its works are evil. The light rebukes the darkness. Christ does not say, "You are very nearly right"; but, "You are altogether wrong." Nor will He rest until His statements are believed and His claims accepted. So He is hated. Men say they are indifferent, but they hate. II. IT IS THE FACT OF THIS ANTAGONISM WHICH MAKES MANY SHRINK FROM JOINING HIM. They dread running counter to general opinion. They cannot stand opposition or ridicule. They feel instinctively that the dislike with which the worm regards Christ is extended to His disciples; and at this dislike they shudder. But their condition is a very perilous one. It is to Him that "overcometh" that the blessing is given. The "fearful" are cast out with the "false and abominable." Hence infer — (1) that weakness towards the world is hardness towards Christ; and(2) that Christ, if we look to Him, will give us the needful strength. (G. Calthrop, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. WEB: After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for he wouldn't walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.