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.”
The temple guards did not arrest Jesus until later because, when they went to capture Him, what He said captured their hearts (Jn 7:45-46).
7:33
Then
“Then” is the word therefore. The gospel now draws a conclusion: Jesus had learned that the temple police were out to arrest Him, but they could not do anything to Him because the Father’s plan would take precedence over the situation. The news of the coming temple guard prompted Jesus to make a comment about what would happen.
Jesus said to them,
Jesus continued to teach even while the police were coming to arrest Him. He now explained how God’s sovereign plan would happen. He knew the Father would not take Him for another six months.
“I shall be with you a little while longer,
Jesus said to the Pharisees that God’s plan for Him to continue to minister to Israel was limited. He was to be crucified in six months. Determination for Jesus’ time on earth would not be made by leaders in Israel but by the Father Himself.
and then I go to Him who sent Me.
Jesus would rise from the dead and ascend to the Father. He would do this at the Father’s appointed time.
7:34
You will seek Me and not find Me,
There would be a time when the religious leaders of Israel would seek the Messiah but not find Him because He would have gone back to the Father. Jesus would die at the Father’s appointed time.
and where I am you cannot come.”
The time for reception of the Messiah was while Jesus the Messiah was alive on earth. There would come a time when these religious leaders would not have direct access to the Lord anymore. By rejection of Jesus, these people would not be allowed in heaven. An impassable barrier results from negative volition toward Christ.
PRINCIPLE:
Nothing can challenge God’s purpose for our lives.
APPLICATION:
Jesus spoke as one whose course God fully planned. His life was put in due order. Nothing could challenge God’s purpose in the least. Actions of others do not count.
Nothing can come into our lives without God’s permission. Even Satan had to get permission to persecute Job. The devil could do nothing to him without God concurring with the situation (Job 42:10).
1 Co 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
