Chapter Seven The LORD Christ Speaks about Pentecost The Spring of Living Water! The LORD Christ was late going to Jerusalem because the Jews wanted to kill Him. His relatives asked Him to perform miracles to show His followers, but He rebuked them. Then at the appropriate time He went up to Jerusalem. At the feast He announced the coming of the Holy Spirit who grants thirst quenching and joy. The Jews habitually left their houses during the Feast of Tabernacles and dwelled in temporary tents for a week so that they may remember they were strangers and mere guests in this world. During the first seven days of the feast they brought water from the pool of Siloam. The water was brought in a golden vessel and the high priest poured it in front of the people to declare that whoever is thirsty may approach and drink. This indicated the rock from which water flowed for the people in the wilderness. On the eighth day they did not bring water from the pool. This was to show that the people would drink from the springs of Canaan, not from the water of the wilderness. On that day, the LORD Christ who is the Supreme High Priest and Bishop of our souls, stood up to offer Himself as the spring that flows living water into the depths of the souls of believers. He asked the believers to drink joyfully from the wells of salvation (Is 12:3; Zech 14:8; Joel 2:28-32). 1 – Jesus Does not Appear Openly in Judea (1) 2 – The Dialogue about His Going up to Jerusalem (2-13) 3 – His Speech at the Feast (14-18) 4 – His Discourse about Breaking the Sabbath (19-24) 5 – Many Believe in Him (25-36) 6 – The Promise of Pentecost (37-48) 7 – The Testimony of the Officers of the Altar for Him (49-53) 1 – Jesus Does not Appear Openly in Judea “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.” [1] The healing of the paralytic on the Sabbath aroused the anger of the religious leaders (John 5:16) and they sought to kill Jesus either by stirring up the people against Him or by indictment. For this reason, the LORD Christ preferred not to appear publicly in Jerusalem, and instead, to walk in Galilee. This was not out of fear of death, for He came to die for mankind. It was rather in wisdom until His time would fully come. The Evangelist used the word “walked” which in Arabic is “frequented” to give us an idea about the life of the LORD Christ during His service. He chose no place where to stay to serve. Before He came to Galilee He used to go often to Judea and walk from town to town. That was the first part of His service that the other three evangelists did not refer to. He traveled to https://coptic-treasures.com/ Galilee on foot, not riding a horse or even a donkey. He and those who accompanied Him walked from place to place and wherever He stayed He performed blessings. The LORD Christ gives us a practical lesson in withdrawing from danger, not out of fear, but in order to serve, as He advised His disciples (Matt 10:23). However, if we are called to witness to His name and have no chance to leave that place, we should count ourselves unworthy to sacrifice ourselves for His name’s sake. + Saint Cyril the Great comments on this verse saying that the phrase “After these things” means “after all He said and did” Jesus began to walk gladly more in Galilee and did not want to walk in Judea. For, His presence among the Galileans (Gentiles) appeared to be much better than life with Israel. This is as Jeremiah says, “I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies (Jer 12:7 LXX). This is seen in the rites of the burnt offering, as the lamb is killed, not in front, but on the left side of the altar (Leviticus 1:10-11). The altar looked toward the east, so the lamb was toward Galilee, the church of the nations. Thus, “His eyes observe the nations” (Ps. 66:7). But though He was welcome in Galilee, still the Cross followed Him wherever He was, whether in Judea, Galilee, or the capital Jerusalem. In Judea they sought to kill Him [1]. In Galilee, in spite of all His miracles, many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. And in Jerusalem the chief concern of the religious leaders was to get rid of Him by any means. They did not care to keep the law, but they sought to kill Him (John 7:19). The Sanhedrim sent officers to take Him (John 7:32). They spread the spirit of terror so much that no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews (John 7:13). They, moreover, took up stones to throw at Him (John 8:59). Truly, He did not attack those who rose against Him. However, He did not, one bit, abandon His message and work of redemption even though that cost Him the shame of the Cross. John, chapters 7 and 8 give us a living image of the extent of hatred, envy and malice in the hearts of the Jewish religious leaders at that time against the person of Jesus Christ. In their opinion, He distorted the image of the Promised Messiah. They wanted the Messiah to be in compliance with their human desire, but not conforming to God’s magnificent plan. + The people of Israel practiced extreme hatred against Him. He, therefore, was in better condition among His enemies. He made His dwelling with those who showed more tenderness than He found with His kin who should have loved Him. We do not consider Christ’s withdrawal a type of cowardice. We do not accuse Him of weakness, for He is omnipotent. We rather accept this as a divine provision because it befit Him to endure the Cross for all at the appointed time and not before Saint Cyril the Great + There is no worse evil than envy and spite for through them death entered the world (Wis 2:24). When he saw man being honored, Satan could not bear that and he, therefore, did all he could to kill man. Because of envy Abel was slain and David came close to being killed. Many other righteous people also we killed and the Jews became the murderers of Christ. Saint John Chrysostom + He offered an example of our weakness. He did not lose His power, but He rather presented comfort for our weakness.1 Saint Augustine 2 – The Dialogue about His Going up to Jerusalem “Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand.” [2] 1 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 28:2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ The Feast of Tabernacles: This feast is celebrated on the 15th of Tisri (also called Tishreen, or Letham) which coincides with the last half of September and first of October. It is the seventh month of the religious year and the first month of the civil year. The feast took its name after the tents that were erected near the temple and at public places, in town squares, on house roofs, and in the gardens where the Jews lived. The booths remained for eight days in remembrance of the forty years the Jewish fathers lived in the wilderness. This feast is one of the three major feasts during which the Jewish men were obliged to go up to Jerusalem in accordance to the law. The most important characteristics of this feast are great joy, dwelling in booths, and the unique rites distinguished by two complementary aspects that are light, and the pouring of water. The Jews used to go up to Jerusalem one day before the feast. Some Jews went up before the tenth day of the month to celebrate the Day of Atonement and stayed there until the Feast of Tabernacles. Concerning the pouring of water, the Talmud records that beginning with the first day and for seven days, two great processions went out at dawn. One group collected olive branches, palm leaves, and leaves of other trees such as the willow and the myrtle. They tied the branches and leaves together with threads of gold or silver, or with ribbons. They carried them all day, took them to the assembly, and held them during prayers. On the following days, they carried them to the temple and walked round the altar singing, “Hosanna, we ask You deliver us!” Trumpets sound on every side. Saint John was probably referring to this feast when he spoke about the souls of the martyrs under the altar in Paradise (Rev. 6:9). They are given palm branches and they sing, “Salvation belongs to our God.” Nevertheless, the most joyful rites of the feast according to the Jews were to go with the second procession to the pool of Siloam. The high priest leading the procession carried a golden vessel that he filled with water from the pool and took back to the temple. Groups of singers (choirs) accompanied both processions that returned singing praise adapted from Isaiah 12. “Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and not be afraid. For the LORD Jehovah is my strength and my song, and has become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation."”(Is. 12:2-3). The Coptic Church adapted the song, “The LORD is my strength, my praise, and has become my salvation” to be the doxology of the Pascha. This is considering the fact that the LORD Christ was taken out of Jerusalem to be offered as a Passover sacrifice for the salvation of the world. As the apostle Paul says, “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.” (Heb 13:12-13). Moses and Elijah spoke about this exodus with Jesus Christ during His Transfiguration on Mount Tabor (Luke 9:30-36). Thus, the Cross was associated with the Feast of Tabernacles as all the people leave their houses and live in temporary booths in preparation for entering the Divine Bosom eternally. The two processions arrived at the temple at the same time. The morning burnt sacrifice was offered. Those carrying the branches made a beautiful booth over the altar. With three blasts of the trumpets the priests received the high priest who carried the golden vessel. The priest went up the steps to the altar and with him another priest carrying another golden vessel filled with wine. They poured the drink offering of water and wine in two golden perforated bowls that were suspended over the altar. The drink offering would then trickle down the altar. The people used to joyfully drink the water of the pool of Siloam during the days of the feast as a remembrance of https://coptic-treasures.com/ the water that flowed from the rock at the hands of Moses the prophet. That was the water that their fathers drank. They then remembered the words of Isaiah, “Ho, everyone that thirsts, come to the waters, and he that has no money; come, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Is. 55:1; 12:3). The Sadducees believed the drink offering should be limited to wine only. In about the year 95 BC the high priest was Alexander Panias, a Sadducee. He poured the water on the floor far from the altar, so the Pharisees rose against him and wanted to kill him. A battle then began between the Sadducees and the Pharisees and ended in the victory of the Pharisees after the murder of more than six thousand men. In any case, as the water and wine were sprinkled on the altar, the temple music was heard along with the chanting of the Hallelujah Psalms (Ps 113-118). As they sang “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!” “Save now, I pray, O LORD” “Oh, give thanks to the LORD” (Ps 118:1, 25, 29) the worshippers waved the branches around the altar. The association of this feast with water becomes clearer when we know that on the second day of the feast (called the Smaller Celebration) there were merry evening festivals and the following days were called “The Joy of Water Streams.” The Talmud distinctly says, “Why was it called ‘Water Streams’? That is because the Holy Spirit overflows, as it was said, ‘With joy waters gush out of the fountains of salvation’” On the seventh day they circled the altar seven times. This procession was called the “Hosanna rabba.” During this feast many sacrifices were offered. On the first day they offered the usual burnt offerings and 13 bullocks, two rams, and 14 lambs. They also offered flour and wine. Besides, they offered goats as a sin offering. On the following days they offered the same but eliminated one bullock each day, so that on the seventh day they offered seven bullocks only. On the eighth day that was considered the climax of joy, they offered one bullock, one ram, and seven lambs as burnt offerings. They also offered one goat as a sin offering. Moreover they offered the usual flour and wine offerings. On that day they also brought to the temple the first fruits of their last harvest or that became ripe recently. Moses instructed that the feast must be celebrated for eight days. However, the Jews added a ninth day which they called “Joy of the Law.” On that day they read the five Books of Moses. The institution of this feast occurs in Leviticus 23:34. The feast was not observed for a long time, then it was reconstituted (Neh 8:14). “His brothers therefore said to Him, ‘Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.” [3] The Holy Bible usually calls relatives in the same family ‘brothers.’ Therefore, the words “His brothers” probably mean the LORD Christ’s relatives, no matter what family relations might be. Those relatives, out of their love of appearance and honor, asked Him to go up to Jerusalem. They had two aims. The first was that His disciples who accompanied Him for two years in service, may see His glory in Jerusalem during the feast celebrations. The second aim was that He might establish His kingdom in the capital city. It may also be that these relatives who did not yet believe in Him –as the Evangelist himself points out- asked Him to depart not https://coptic-treasures.com/ out of loyalty for Him, but with bad intention. On the one hand, they wanted to give Him advice as to one who is unable to control even His own life and is in need of guidance. And, on the other hand, they were not thoughtful about His safety, for they knew how dangerous His appearance in Jerusalem was among the leaders who were filled with envy toward Him. Some writers believe that they asked Him to go to Judea in order that the Pharisees and leaders may examine the miracles and wonders He performed and may so discover the deceptive tricks in them. This would then vindicate the disbelief of His relatives. “For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, Show Yourself to the world.” [4] They thought that our LORD Jesus shared their feelings and thoughts and that His miracles were not motivated by His love for others but were rather performed as a public demonstration. They, therefore, gave Him this advice so that He may take this opportunity to achieve His aim. He must not waste time in making miracles in Galilee, in towns and villages where ignorant people cannot support Him. He should better perform His miracles in the capital city so that He may win popularity among the important personalities in the community. Moreover, His fame will spread throughout the nation because, during the feast, men come to Jerusalem from everywhere. It is as though they say to Him, ‘If You are proceeding to be the Messiah, go into the Capital and reveal Yourself. For, You cannot become Israel’s Messiah while You stay in villages and small towns far from the assembly centers of the people and leaders.’ “For even His brothers did not believe in Him.” [5] They did not believe He was the promised, expected Messiah. They probably thought He was an esteemed leader or a prophet. For, if He was the Messiah, the savior of Israel, He should reveal Himself to the whole world. His relatives did not believe in Him. However, they asked for a public demonstration of His miraculous deeds so that the observers may admire them. They did not speak wisely for the sake of their salvation and the redemption of their brethren. It is written in Jeremiah, “For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.” (Jer 12:6 LXX). + Their words seem to come out of love, but they came out of malice. They accused Him of cowardice and of love of vainglory. The expression, “For no one does anything in secret” is addressed to cowardly people and to those who doubt that their deeds are real. Moreover, when they add “while he himself seeks to be known openly” they accuse Him of asking for vainglory.2 Saint John Chrysostom + As they did not believe in Him, their words were motivated by envy.3 2 Homilies on St. John 48:2. 3 Sermon on N.T. Lessons 83:1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ + Why did they not believe in Him? The answer is that they asked for human glory. His brothers pretended they gave Him advice for the sake of His glory. They spoke with the wisdom of the flesh to the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.4 Saint Augustine “Then Jesus said to them, ‘My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.’” [6] The LORD Christ answers in defense of His hiding all that time in Galilee by saying that He does not wish to anticipate the events, for His time has not yet come. He did not want to go to Jerusalem and arouse the leaders there until the time of His passion came according to His divine plan. He also made it clear to them that He would not go to demonstrate His miraculous deeds, or to win popularity and reveal Himself to the world, but rather He would go to achieve the purpose of redemption. They can go to Jerusalem as visitors, but He, this time will go to be examined and offered as the Passover sacrifice, for He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The time of His Passion had not yet come because this work of redemption was achieved in accordance to the divine plan. As for His relatives, they faced no danger since they were friends of the world. They could go anytime that they liked. Also the time for Him to go up to the feast had not yet come because He had a special arrangement for going up. As for them, they could go to the feast at any time. Here, He exposes the intentions of His brothers indirectly without hurting their feelings. As their intentions were bad and evil, the evil world did not hate them since their deeds were harmonious with the thought of the world. On the other hand, He will conclude no truce with the world that cannot bear Him. + Your time is always ready. Where you are there is no danger. But, My time, when the time of the Cross comes, I must die. As this was the meaning, He made that clear when He said, “the world cannot hate you.”5 Saint John Chrysostom + Whoever enjoys association with the LORD Christ must behave appropriately and prudently. He must know that every work has its particular time or the fullness of time. But those who behave recklessly and without constraint live as they like and any suits them without obligation. The time had not yet come for preaching without limit or for open and public announcement because the Jewish mind was not yet ready to understand. They could not accept My words without rebellion and anger. There was no opportunity yet for My call to be made known to the world. On the other hand, their time was present and always ready. They achieved their design and nothing hindered them or forced them to take suitable measures to be shown what they should do or not do, as was the case with Christ. Saint Cyril the Great + Behold how Christ answers them very gently. He did not say to them ‘Who are you to give Me advice and teach Me?’ He rather said, “My time has not yet come.” Saint John Chrysostom + They offered Him counsel to strive for glory. Their advice was worldly and with 4 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 28:4. 5 Homilies on St. John 48:2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ earthly provision. They wanted Him to be known and even become famous rather than to hide in obscurity. The LORD answered those who offered Him advice concerning glory, thus, “My time has not yet come.” That is to say, the time of My glory has not yet come. Oh, how subtle this answer is! They counsel for glory; He wants the glory preceded by humility. He desired to prepare the path for the same glory through humility. Those disciples certainly asked for honor to sit one on His right hand and the other on His left. They thought only of the aim, but did not see the necessary road to reach that aim. The LORD drew their attention to the path through which they reach their homeland in the suitable provision. The homeland is high above; the road below on this earth is the life of Christ, that is Christ’s death. That earth is Christ’s dwelling; the road is Christ’s suffering. He who refuses the road, how may he ask for the homeland? In short, He gave the following answer to those who also want glory “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” (Matt 20:22). Behold the way you must take to reach the heights you wish for. The cup that He alludes to is truly that of His humility and suffering.6 + Let us be upright in heart for the time of our glory has not yet come. Let us say to those who love this world the same as the LORD said to His brothers, “your time is always ready” [6]. Let us dare to say this, for we are the body of our LORD Jesus Christ, His members and we joyfully know our Head. Let us then say this without hesitation since He condescended and said it for our sake. When those who love this world insult us, let us say to them, “your time is always ready, but our time has not yet come.” For, the apostle says to us, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” When our time comes, he says, “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Col 3:3-4) Saint Augustine “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.” [7] The Jewish leaders cannot hate you because you carry their same thoughts. You desire a temporary messiah who will appoint himself an earthly king. You are the sons and servants of the world. Nothing but worldly matter preoccupies you, and the world certainly loves those who belong to it. As for Me, the world hates Me because I censure corruption and sin. The LORD Christ did not want to go up to the feast with His relatives, lest they use propaganda on the pretext that it is necessary to declare Christ. Whereas it has been said about the LORD Christ that He shall not cry nor cause His voice to be heard (Is 42:2). + The mind that evil pleasures enslave is really furious when urged to acquire the necessary self-possession. Saint Cyril the Great + “The world cannot hate you” [7] Does this mean anything other than that the world 6 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 28:5. https://coptic-treasures.com/ cannot hate those who love it, who bear false witness? For they call evil things, good, and good things, evil. “But it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast.” [7-8] What does this mean? Since you ask for human glory; since you desire exaggeration in physical joy and do not contemplate eternal joy, on that feast day you aspire to human glory. But My time, that is to say, My time of glory, has not yet come. That shall be My feast. It will not precede, nor come after, these days, but will remain eternally. It will be rejoicing and unending joy, forever without end, calm without clouds. 7 “I am not going up to this feast.” [8] That is because He does not desire temporary glory. He rather teaches them a profitable lesson to correct and urge the people to the eternal feast. He wishes to turn their love for the world to love of God8 Saint Augustine “You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” [8] Saint Cyril the Great observes that His brothers or relatives here represent the Jewish people as a whole as they are all the LORD Christ’s brothers, His own. He asked them to go up to celebrate the symbol, for they still loved the shadow. But His pleasure is not in the symbol or shadow, but in the truth when the appropriate time comes and the fullness of time comes so that He may offer Himself a true feast. + The LORD clearly says here that He will not observe the feast with the Jews. He will not go up with them and share their joy in the shadows. For, what is said about the few extends in meaning to all the Israelites, as all the multitude of the Jews are symbolically His brothers. He, therefore, refrains from attending the feast with them. According to a saintly prophet'’ saying, "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.” (Amos 5:21-23) The Savior Himself also says, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) Saint Cyril of Alexandria Saint John Chrysostom says that Christ said He would not go up to the feast at that moment. That is to say He would not go up with them.9 He did not want to go up with them at that time to be crucified, for the hour of crucifixion had not yet come. “When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.” [9] + He indicated in these words that He did not need them. He did not wish to flatter them, but He let them go to observe the Jewish ordinance. Saint John Chrysostom + Christ remains joyfully away from Judea and in Galilee where He dwells more 7 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 28:8. 8 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 28:8. 9 Hom 48. PG 59:285. https://coptic-treasures.com/ peacefully and safely. He reveals to them His true love for them and His rejection of the inhabitants of Judea. He has actually made the Church of nations worthy of divine love. He has disclosed the beauty of the Church of nations that He loved and went up to as to a bride in her room. Saint Cyril of Alexandria “But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.” [10] He had refused to go with His relatives because they had demanded that not for spiritual profit, but to obtain honor because of the miracles. Saint Augustine has dealt with the opinion of some concerning the LORD Christ when He said to His brothers that He will not go up to the feast and left them go to Jerusalem, then He later decided to go. Saint Augustine explains that the LORD does not say He will not go up to the feast, but He says, “yet” meaning today. As they celebrated the feast several days, He remained in Galilee that day, then went up to Jerusalem after that. His reason was that His brothers did not ask Him to go with them, in their company, but wanted Him to go alone before them. However, according to the saint, Christ appeared as a weak man running away from the resistant as He fled from Herod into Egypt. He, thus, let them go up to Jerusalem and the next day He followed. Saint Augustine observes that the LORD Christ went up at about the middle of the feast, which is after many days.10 The word “yet” that the LORD Christ uses shows that He refused to go up with them at that moment, but that His refusal to go up to the feast was not final. It is clear that in His words to them, The LORD Christ separates their point of view and His in going up to the feast. They will go to participate in the formal festivities and to meet their relatives and friends. They also considered the feast an excellent opportunity for the LORD to go up and expose His deeds to the people. However, He goes up to the feast to offer Himself the Paschal sacrifice for the world. He, therefore, desires to go up alone to isolate their thinking from His. Moreover, their going up as a group will be openly accompanied with Praise, Psalms and palm leaves. But His will be as it were in secret to achieve a secret message that the world could not understand. Finally, they went up to Jerusalem at once. On the other hand, He went from Galilee and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan (Matt 19:1; Mark 10:1). At the end of His journey He went to Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, to visit Lazarus and his sisters (Luke 10:38-39). He then entered Jerusalem about mid feast. So, His itinerary was completely different from that of His relatives. + He does not say “in secret”, but “as it were in secret.” In this manner He uses this to teach us how we should conduct our affairs.11 Saint John Chrysostom + In order that you may know the Almighty God who grants life, the Son of the All powerful, He adds a proof of His majesty by saying, “And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine.” (John 17:10) 12 Saint Ambrose 10 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 28:10. 11 Hom 49. PG 59:287-288. 12 Of the Christian Faith, 5:7:93. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, ‘Where is He?’” [11] Some writers believe that this refers to the Jewish crowds or people. For, they yearned to see the Person who performed unique wonders. He was the subject of their conversation, even though they were divided into two groups concerning their perception of Him. However, the general opinion shared by the early church fathers and the contemporary scholars is that the word “Jews” here as in most verses in this Gospel, means, according to the Evangelist, the Jewish leadership including the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees. They were those who wished to get rid of Him, like King Saul who wished to kill David the first day of the month (1 Samuel 20:27) Even those who admired the person and deeds of the LORD Christ, they did not know His reality. They thought He was only a righteous man. But they did not understand that He was the Son of God. Even today some people who do not believe in Him look up to Him as a unique, righteous leader. Yet they cannot become acquainted with Him. They sought Him not because they believed in Him and looked for spiritual blessing, but to assail Him with insults. Saint Cyril of Alexandria points out that “they did not disdain to ask ‘where is that man’ or ‘where is He’ for this is an expression about a man who is rejected.” + The Jews ask, ‘where is He?’ because of their intense hatred and hostility for Him they did not want to mention His name. Saint John Chrysostom “And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, ‘He is good.’ Others said, ‘No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.’” [12] The Greek word is translated here as “complaining” but in Latin it means “murmur.” Saint Augustine says that complaining and dispute occurred concerning Him. For, in this world we live as in winter. Some see in some kinds of fruit trees that they are dead. They do not realize that the trees live until summer that is the time of judgment. “Our summer is the appearance of Christ. ‘Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent’ (Ps 50:3). ‘A fire goes before Him, and burns up His enemies round about.’ (Ps 97:3) That fire burns the dry trees to which it is said, ‘I was hungry and you gave Me no food.’ While, on the other side, on His right hand, are seen abundant fruit and many leaves that will remain green forever.”13 + In my opinion, the first group (those who said He is good) was the majority. The second point of view was that of the rulers and priests, for this calumny against Him fits their envy and wickedness.14 Saint John Chrysostom + Let them say about you if you are growing in Christ ‘he deceives the people.’ This was said about Christ Himself and is said about the whole body of Christ. Think that the body of Christ is still in this world. Think that the body of Christ is still under examination. How the chaff blasphemes about Him. The wheat and chaff will be threshed together; chaff will be burnt up and the wheat will remain. Therefore, this saying about Christ is for consolation when it is 13 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 28:11. 14 Homilies on St. John 49:1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ said about any Christian.15 Saint Augustine + They wade into the most ridiculous fantasy; they deviate much from truth and yet they do not refrain from calling Him a ‘deceiver’ He who shows the straight path of righteousness. Saint Cyril the Great “However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.” [13] No one dared to speak about Him for fear of the Jewish leaders. The mere mention of His name was considered a crime that might lead to be deprived of the right to worship. + Who were those who did not speak of Him for fear of the Jews? Certainly those who said ‘He is good’, not those who said that He ‘deceived the people.’ For, those who said He deceived the people were heard and their voices were loud like the sound of the leaves of dead trees. They raised their voice louder and louder. Those who said He was good whispered, as they felt more and more oppressed. Now, the Church grows because He graciously gave the Church to spread over the entire world. Now, only those who say He deceives the people whisper. Those who say He is good speak in a louder voice.16 Saint Augustine + How incredible it is that the people fear the Jews and tremble but are not instructed by the Law and do not learn to live appropriately. For, fear is an evidence of the highest degree of slavery. So, they were forced to transgress without examining the aim of Him who granted the Law (And, as they did not dare to praise the good) they judged wickedly, not willingly but by force according to the choice of the others. They despicably condemned Him who was worthy of praise and admiration. The leaders were able to conduct them against the divine commandments and were thus responsible for the loss of all the people. The prophet testifies saying about them that they were the cause of the eternal perdition of the people “the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD. Therefore all their flocks did not understand and shall be scattered.” (Jeremiah 10:21 LXX). Saint Cyril the Great 3 – His Speech at the Feast “Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.” [14] He went to Jerusalem about the middle of the feast and as usual He went up into the temple and began to preach openly. Saint John does not record Christ’s sermon. This may be because another Evangelist registered it. He went the fourth or fifth day of the feast in order that He may leave the people in the 15 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 28:11. 16 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 28:12. https://coptic-treasures.com/ first three days to their preoccupation with the tents they erected and the branches they carried all day. They did not comprehend as desired the spiritual meaning of these things because their minds were not ready, or may be because they had no time to be attentive to the LORD’s words and deeds. Why did He teach? He came to present the truth, in hope that men may yearn for true knowledge and enjoy it. By teaching He filled the vacuum caused by the preoccupation of the religious leaders with their own righteousness and honor and with politics instead of with interest in spiritual knowledge. It is as though the LORD Christ occupied the status of teachers and revealed their inability to achieve their mission. He accomplished the promise “For thus says the LORD God; behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out….I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, says the LORD God. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.” (Ezekiel 34:11, 15-16). “And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.” (Ezekiel 34:23). + I suppose everybody truly wondered but that not all found the way to faith.17 Saint Augustine How is it that He says, “My doctrine” and yet at the same time He says, “is not Mine”? It is the doctrine of the Father who sent Him. The evangelist had previously declared that Jesus is the Word of the Father. Therefore, Christ Himself is the doctrine of the Father; He is the Word of the Father and what Christ teaches is Himself so that the believers may acquire Him. He is His doctrine and at the same time He is of the Father. He is the divine unchangeable doctrine. This is not teaching that is pronounced with words and letters, but is the only One with the Father. He carries us to the Father for conciliation and conformity with His love. + It is appropriate for us more reasonably to avow that we hear the will of the divine nature in particular in the holy places. Saint Cyril the Great The evangelist did not present to us all the LORD’s teachings and sermons during this period. However, he presents three kinds of dialogue and conversation. A dialogue with the Jewish leaders [verses 14-24] another with the people of Jerusalem [25-30] and a third with the officers whom the chief priests and Pharisees sent [32-36]. “And the Jews marveled, saying, ‘How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” [15] The Jews marveled when they heard His teaching because He spoke with authority. He quoted from the books of the Old Testament. He explained, argued and said proverbs. His teachings are profound and convincing. They attract the simple people and satisfy the learned. They convince even those who oppose Him. It is written in the Gospel according to Saint Mark, “He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mark 1:21-22; see also Mark 6:2, Matt 13:54, Luke 4:22). He did not enter a school for the rich; He did not sit at the feet of a rabbi; He did not travel to some country as the philosophers did; nor did He enter a public school in His 17 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 29:2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ own country. Moses learned the wisdom of the Egyptians, but Jesus did not learn even the wisdom of the Jews. They did not realize that He did not need to receive knowledge from men, for He Himself is the Divine Truth and His will is one with the Father. + Have you seen how the evangelist shows that their marveling at Him here was full of evil. For, the evangelist does not say that they marveled at His teaching or that they accepted His words. Saint John points out that their astonishment was of a different kind. They were puzzled and said, “how does this Man know letters, having never studied?” They should have known and ascertained that their perplexity proved that His teaching was not of human beings. However, they refused to reveal this meaning and wanted to stop only at their amazement at Him.18 Saint John Chrysostom Saint Cyril the Great observes that the frivolous people asked, “where is that Man” and so they confessed their ignorance. But those who said, “how does He know letters, having never studied”, considered themselves well learned and they judged Him. Owing to their knowledge they should have searched for the secret of His knowledge of the Books, though He did not study. They may have also compared Him and Moses and considered Him uneducated while Moses “was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22). + Only Christ alone is good, perfectly good in all things. He is, among all, the only Person who has wisdom and understanding. And He has excellence not through learning but as a special characteristic. All that is good is in God in essence. In Him it does not emanate from outside. Thus, wisdom is in Him also; He Himself is wisdom and in particular He is the source of wisdom. He grants partial wisdom to those who partake in Him, the heavenly rational beings and also the beings on earth. Saint Cyril the Great “Jesus answered them and said, ‘My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.’” [16] As they marveled at His knowledge, He declared to them that His doctrine does not originate from a school on earth, or from the rabbis and lawyers. His doctrine comes from the heavenly Father, since He is the Christ who saves the world. He says, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” [16] When Christ performed a deed of divine love, He confidently referred that deed of love to the Father as in John 3:16, lest some may think that the Father represents divine wrath and the Son is divine mercy. Later, certain groups, like the followers of Marcion went to the point that they believed that the God of the New Testament came to save the world from the cruel God of the Jews. For this reason, the LORD Christ explains that His divine plan is to accomplish the doctrine of the Father and His provision for the sake of the redemption of the world and that this is the good pleasure of the Father and of the Son. When the Jews marveled that He knew the letters though He did not study, He made it clear to them that He did not need human teaching or wisdom, for He is the wisdom of the Father. The words He says are in harmony with the will of the Father. His doctrine is divine, not human. 18 Homilies on St. John 49:1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ + Once more He answers their secret thoughts by referring His teaching to the Father. In that He desired to silence them.19 Saint John Chrysostom + He, suitably, reveals Himself as equal to God the Father who never studied but knows all things, essentially without learning. He excels all understanding and is above all wisdom existing in creatures. Therefore, it was possible for Him through other events also to show to His listeners and affirm to them that all that is in the Father is in Him also because of their unity in essence. Saint Cyril the Great + Does not His teaching that is free of rhetoric show that He teaches not as a human being, but as God? He did not study but He directs His teaching.20 Saint Ambrose + Direct your thoughts towards Christ’s doctrine, so that you may reach God’s wisdom, and when you reach Him remember this “the Word was God” (John 1:1). Then you will discern the saying “My doctrine” is true. Contemplate the Word, who is He? (the Word of the Father) and you will truly understand “My doctrine is not Mine”21 + In short, it seems to me, dear beloved, that the LORD Jesus Christ said, “My doctrine is not Mine” meaning ‘I am not of Myself.’ We say and believe that the Son is equal to the Father, that there is no difference between them in nature and essence, and that there is no temporal separation between the begetter and the begotten. We fervently maintain that. But still one of them is the Father and the other is the Son. The Father cannot be Father without having the Son, and the Son likewise may not be Son without having the Father. Yet, the Son is God from the Father, and the Father is God but not from the Son. The LORD Jesus Christ is called Light of Light; both together are one Light, not two lights.22 Saint Augustine “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” [17] The LORD Christ gave them a proof that the origin of His doctrine is neither from an earthly school nor from a rabbi, but is of the Father. His divine doctrine is perfectly harmonious with His deeds. He came to the world submitting obediently to the Father so that He may remove from us pride and insubordination. He opened for us the path of perfect obedience when we united with Him so that we ask not that that is for us, but that is of God and we find our pleasure in this. He is the way that leads us to enjoy the divine embrace through our participation with Him in obedience and humility. He, thus, opens the door for us so that we may receive the divine doctrine, not with argument, mere reasoning, and arid scrutiny, but with practical acceptance of the will of God in us and by conformity with His divine design for us. This will not be accomplished unless we practically unite with our Christ so that He may grant us perfect 19 Homilies on St. John 49:1. 20 On the Christian Faith, Book 2:9:79. 21 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 29:4. 22 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 29:5. https://coptic-treasures.com/ obedience, give us His righteousness and reveal to us His mysteries. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Thus, the source of our learning is the Holy Trinity. The Spirit illuminates the depth of our soul and the Son, the true light, enters and takes us to the Father’s bosom so that we may live in the great mysteries and experience their guarantee in this world until the day when we meet Him. + You ask, ‘what is the meaning of Christ’s words?’ The answer is that He means to say, ‘Remove your doubt, anger, envy, and hatred that originate falsely in you. There is no hindrance that prevents you from knowing that My words are truly God’s words.’ Saint John Chrysostom “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true; and no unrighteousness is in Him.” [18] The characteristic of the impostor or swindler is that he seeks his own glory and talks about himself. This is the characteristic of the antichrists and false prophets. They want to achieve their own will, not God’s will. But the mark that proves that Jesus is the true Christ is that His words are from the Father and He seeks the glory of the Father, yet Their will is one and Their glory is one. The Son became flesh, but though He is the Son of Man, His doctrine is not the outcome of human experience. It is neither a temporal study, nor the fruit of a special thought. Its source is rather the Father who sent Him. It is a truly divine doctrine; there is no falsehood or fallacy in it. “No unrighteousness is in Him” means ‘no falsehood or fallacy is in Him.’ + “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory” [18]. This is he who will be called Antichrist and about whom the apostle writes he “exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped” (2 Thes 2:4). The LORD declares about the same person (the Antichrist) that he seeks his own glory, not the glory of the Father. The LORD says to the Jews, “I have come in My Father’s name and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive” (John 5:43). He states that they will receive the Antichrist who will seek his own glory, who will be puffed up, disloyal and certainly destructive. But our LORD Jesus Christ reveals to us His great example of humility. He who undoubtedly is equal to the Father, seeks not His own glory but the glory of the Father. How much more this befits you O man who when you do a good deed seek your own glory and when you do evil you offend God? Know yourself; you are a creature. Know your Creator. You are a servant. Do not despise your God. You are adopted but not because you are worthy. Seek the glory of the One who will grant you this grace that you are an adopted human being.23 Saint Augustine 4 – His Discourse about Breaking the Sabbath 23 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 29:8. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?” [19] The LORD confronts the accusation of the rulers that He deceives the people [12] by accusing them that they break the law. How can He deceive the people when He accomplishes the will of the Father! They claim that they keep the law, but they break the law when they kill the innocent. Here, the LORD denounces them openly inside the temple touching their dearest claim, which is that they keep the law. + He did not accuse them of breaking the law as individuals, but rather that the entire Jewish nation nullifies the Law of Moses. In accusing Him of breaking the law concerning the Sabbath they reveal themselves as aggressors and conspirators plotting to kill Him. In so doing they commit the worst sin (killing the innocent). Saint Cyril the Great + You seek to kill Me for this reason, which is that not one of you keeps the law. If you kept the law you would have known Christ in every letter of the law and you would not have killed Him when He was present among you. Behold their answer: “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You.” What troubled the people? The truth. For, the impaired eyes cannot endure the brilliant light.24 Saint Augustine “The people answered and said, ‘You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?” [20] The rulers and those with them may have denied having a plot to kill Him, in order that they may not arouse the people. The people were, therefore, astonished. Besides, lest they appear as transgressors of the law for seeking to kill a man without trial or to kill an innocent person, when the LORD asked them,” Why do you seek to kill Me?” [19] they said, “Who is seeking to kill You?” As for the accusation “You have a demon”, this is often repeated when they find nothing to blame Him for or to oppose Him. + The Jews were aware of the accusations and they tried to deny them even though they did not deviate from their intrigue of murder. However, with many endeavors they keep away from themselves the appearance of transgression of the law. For, the pride of the Pharisees is only in dissembling. Saint Cyril the Great + He says, ‘No wonder you do not seek Me. For, you do not obey the law that you think you follow and you persist in that you received it from Moses. It is no new matter that you have no interest in My words.’25 Saint John Chrysostom “Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, 24 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 30:2. 25 Homilies on St. John 49:3. https://coptic-treasures.com/ and you all marvel.” [21] The work He refers to is healing the paralytic (John 5) on the Sabbath. + On the basis of this one work, and though it was done for the salvation of a man lying on the ground to save his life, you condemn the Omnipotent for this reason? The commandment that according to your stupid conception He broke was infringed not for some trivial, worthless reason, but to save a man and his life. You are angry without cause. It was more appropriate that you praised Him who has such great divine power. Saint Cyril the Great Saint John Chrysostom surmises that the work that the LORD Christ did was healing the man born blind on the Sabbath. The work He did was greater than the circumcision that Moses ordered. The commandment of circumcision came to break the Sabbath also because they circumcised on the Sabbath if that was the appointed time. Indeed, the LORD did not say directly, ‘I did a greater work than circumcision.’ He said, “Moses therefore, gave you circumcision.” [22] “Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.” [22] The circumcision was granted to them as a good gift, not as a burden. Its practice is not an infringement of the law. The commandment of circumcision was given a long time before Moses, since the time of Abraham (Gen 17:9-10). It was then incorporated in the Law of Moses as part of it, even though there is no commandment in the Law of Moses concerning circumcision. The teachers of the Jews gave the commandment concerning circumcision more importance than the Sabbath. The Jews kept the circumcision ritual on the eighth day even if it fell on the Sabbath. Keeping the Sabbath was then not observed for the sake of public health. If that was the case concerning the practice of circumcision literally, how much more important was it for the sake of the safety of the entire man when all the members of the paralytic lying down in his bed for 38 years are healed. The commandment of circumcision goes back to the time of the patriarchs before Moses the prophet. It does not go back to the beginning of creation. But the LORD Christ’s deed concerned the being of a man naturally since his creation. For God desires the human being to be sound spiritually and physically since the beginning of creation. Saint Augustine says, “As though the LORD Christ says ‘As circumcision is specifically a kind of salvation seal and men must not stop the work of salvation on the Sabbath, you, therefore, must not resent Me because I healed a man entirely on the Sabbath [23]. For a man is circumcised on the Sabbath.’”26 Saint Augustine also says that circumcision on the eighth day was performed with a knife of stone. This was a token of removal of physical lust from the body. The LORD Christ, the true Rock, came to offer to the believer on the eighth day a spiritual circumcision through His resurrection. He says listen to those who were circumcised with the true stone. The apostle 26 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 30:4. https://coptic-treasures.com/ admonishes them saying, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col 3:1-2) He speaks of the circumcised saying, ‘Christ is risen. He has removed your physical lust, the evil desires, the unnecessary things with which you were born and the worse things you have added by living an evil life. If then you were circumcised with the Rock why do you still maintain your emotions on earth?’27 + Moses himself, the minister of the law, broke the law of the Sabbath to perform circumcision that extended from the patriarchs to the time of the Jews. Moses did that to prove that he kept the tradition of the patriarchs. And, as God works also on the Sabbath, He announces about Himself that He also works. This then is not a violation of the Sabbath, for He has the same thought as the Father. For this reason He says, 'My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." ”John 5:17) Moses was interested in honoring the tradition of the patriarchs more than in honoring the Sabbath. Why then are you falsely alarmed concerning Me and amazed as if I was eager to violate and despise the law, though I do a deed equal to that of the Father and conform always with Him in every intention? Since He works on the Sabbath, I refuse to be lazy on that day. Saint Cyril the Great “If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the Law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?” [23] Circumcision involves a wound, blood and pain. Yet, it is performed on the Sabbath that is a day for rest. What then is it in relation to the LORD Christ who grants healing to a man completely? If the painful work of the law is allowed on the Sabbath, is it not even more necessary that the joyful gospel that grants peace be practiced on the Sabbath? The parents and relatives of the suckling are very anxious that the circumcised child be healed in that circumcised part. But the LORD Christ is concerned for making a man completely well. + Circumcision is a means of care for man and is more important than the commandment concerning the Sabbath because it was necessary that the sick person be perfectly well. Why then is the Sabbath an obstacle, or how may it be reasonable that the ordinance of the Sabbath stand in the way of healing the whole body? For it is actually allowed without blame to break the Sabbath so that a small part of the body may be well. Saint Cyril the Great + You see that we obtain the distinction of participation in the essence, not in the natural focus, but in that of grace. The reason is that the Father loves us. He loves the Son and consequently loves the members of His body.28 Saint Jerome “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” [24] 27 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 30:5. 28 Against Jovinianus, 2:29. https://coptic-treasures.com/ The LORD Christ asks them to judge with righteousness, not according to appearance. For, the preoccupation with the letter, rather than with the spirit, ruins our judgment concerning matters of the law. The Sabbath as a day of rest is a day of mercy and love for the glory of God, for the edification of His people and the salvation of all as much as possible. Let their judgment concerning the healing of the paralytic on the Sabbath be in this spiritual conception, not in accordance to the letter. + The law that you are so zealous in observing and for which you rose so fervently cries aloud to you saying, “You shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s (Deut 1:17). Thus, you who judge Me as a transgressor because of the Sabbath, and you decide it is perfectly right to be angry for this reason; do you care for the honor of the law? Mortify yourselves when you hear this message, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” For you exempted Moses from transgression and you rightly did not judge him in this even though he broke the Sabbath for the sake of circumcision that is from the patriarchs. Will you then, free the Son from blame; for He always agrees with the thought and will of the Father and every deed of the Father the Son also does?! How can you judge the Son only and not Moses also when they were both involved in the same act that you blame concerning the Sabbath? Saint Cyril the Great + It is as though Christ says, ‘I did a deed more worthy and better than circumcision.’ Saint John Chrysostom + Now in accordance to the Law of Moses you circumcise on the Sabbath. You do not judge Moses. However, when I made a man completely well you were angry with Me. “You judge with partiality, regard the truth!”29 + We do not think that this was not said for our sake because we did not exist at that time. Would we do not retrogress but look forward as He rebukes His enemies, for we ourselves do things the truth condemns. Indeed, the Jews judged according to appearance. Consequently, they did not belong to the new covenant. They do not have the kingdom of heaven in Christ. They do not unite with the assembly of the holy angels. They wanted temporal things from the LORD: the Promised Land, victory over the enemies, many children, and abundance of fruit. These are things God truly promised them; real and good things He promised earthly people. All these things were given to them in the old times. Now we are renewed, we have the new man because He who is the New Man came. For who is he who is thus new like Him who was born of a virgin? In Him is a new birth and in us is the new man. Who is the new man? He is a man renewed from the old. To what is he renewed? To someone who requests heavenly things and yearns for the eternal. His zeal is for the celestial home where he does not fear an enemy or lose a friend, where he lives well emotionally and lacks nothing. We have a totally different hope from theirs. Would we do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. We thus benefit by the Lord’s words; we profit 29 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 30:6. https://coptic-treasures.com/ by His words, and His grace helps us.30 Saint Augustine 5 – Many Believe in Him “Now some of them from Jerusalem said, ‘Is this not He whom they seek to kill?’” [25] In the opinion of the Jews Jerusalem was the source of spirituality and the true divine knowledge. However, the people in Jerusalem were confused because of the attitude of their religious leaders. Do they really seek to kill Him as one who blasphemes and deceives the people? Why then did they not arrest Him while He taught openly? Here we see the conduct of the people coming from outside Jerusalem as different from that of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Those who came from outside did not know that the leaders were full of envy and hatred and opposed the LORD Christ. On the other hand, the dwellers in Jerusalem were aware of the plots of those leaders against Him. Scholars distinguish three groups concerning the attitude of the Jews with regard to the LORD Christ (1) The rulers, priests, and Pharisees were full of hatred against the LORD Christ (2) The people of Jerusalem knew the feelings of the first group. They stood in confusion whether to submit to the leaders who at the same time did not take action to get rid of Him, or to enjoy His works of love, His signs, and His doctrine that has spiritual power of attraction because the LORD teaches with authority (3) The strangers who came to Jerusalem for the feast. They admired the LORD and knew nothing about the feelings of the first group against Him. They were astonished when they heard Him say they seek to kill Him [20]. They considered that a delusion he had or a demonic idea. + We believe that the remaining Jewish people did not know the conspiracy of their rulers. But those in Jerusalem, who lived most of the time with the rulers and dwelt with them in the same city and met them continuously, knew their evil plots against Christ the Savior. Saint Cyril the Great + Those who knew how violently they sought Him, were astonished at the power that protected Him from being arrested. And as they did not know His power as they should, they imagined that the rulers recognized Him as truly the Christ and therefore they let Him go though they eagerly sought to kill Him.31 Saint Augustine “But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?” [26] If the rulers did not know surely that this is truly the Christ what caused them to endure His bold reproof and His renewal of matters that were ordinances since old times. They found Him healing even on the Sabbath. Moreover, they were very much grieved when He frankly said, “Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law?” Yet they endured it all. Saint 30 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 30:7-8. 31 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 31:2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Cyril the Great “However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.” [27] The majority of the people knew that Jesus was born in Bethlehem from the seed of David. However, according to Isaiah the prophet Who shall declare His generation?” (Is 53:8) That is to say His birth and appearance are a secret. The rabbis had this saying, “Three things happen suddenly: a thing we find unexpectedly, the sting of a scorpion, the appearance of the Messiah.” Therefore, the people of Jerusalem wondered whether Jesus was the Christ or not because they knew where He was from. They did not realize that what Isaiah said was about His great eternal birth and was also about His priesthood as He is according to the order of Melchizedek whose parents no one knows. But the prophets announced many details concerning His incarnation and the Jews knew where He was to be born (Matt 2:4-5). + They did not comprehend the writings of the holy prophets about Him. These writings are in two divisions. Sometimes the prophets indicate that He will come to the world in the flesh. They announce His birth in flesh of a virgin: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son” (Is 7:14). They even announce where He will be born: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2) However, when they introduced, as much as possible, His incomprehensible birth of God the Father, they said, as mentioned before, “who shall declare His generation?” “For His life is taken from the earth.” Or concerning the quotation “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting”, by His goings, he means the Only Begotten Son like glamour emanating from light. His special going forth from the Essence that gave birth to Him to His particular Self that is before all ages, all days and all moments. Saint Cyril the Great + They say, “no one knows where He is from” in spite of the fact that when their rulers were asked they insisted He must be born in Bethlehem. Once more, they say He will not come out of Galilee but from Bethlehem [41, 42]. Do you not see that their statements are said in anger? They say, “we know” and “we do not know”; for they are divided over one subject.32 Saint John Chrysostom + As He is a Man, the Holy Scriptures had informed us what will occur to Him. But as He is God, this was hidden from the wicked people and needed the righteous to reveal it. Moreover, they say, “but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from” [27]. Isaiah who introduced the idea says this: “who shall declare His generation?” In short, the LORD Himself answered both: they know where He is from, and also they do not know. For He testifies to the prophet’s information concerning His weak humanity, and also concerning His divine glory.33 Saint Augustine 32 Hom 50. PG 59:294. 33 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 31:2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, You both know Me, and you know where I am from; And I have not come of Myself, But He who sent Me is true, Whom you do not know.” [28] The LORD Christ answered those questions openly. He cried out in the temple. He was probably calling the priests and rulers who did not dare to come nearer and did not bear to hear His voice. He called them so that they may approach and listen. He did not teach in secret, but openly because He presented the truth without deceit as they alleged. It is as though He said to them, “he, who has ears to hear, let him hear!” “You both know Me, and you know where I am from” as though He says, ‘this is true; I am from your nation; I am related to you; you know where I was born. However, concerning My divinity you do not know Me, nor know where I am from. You do not know who sent Me.’ “And I have not come of Myself”: He is not a mere Man who works for His own sake. The Father sent Him and He works for the salvation of all humanity. He is the Son of God who had promised to send the Messiah, the Savior of the world. He is the divine promise realized, but they reject Him and His Gospel. It was not easy for the rulers to accept these words because they imply an accusation of ignorance on their part. They do not know God. He alone knows Him, not because God sent Him as He sent the prophets, but because Christ is “of Him” born everlasting of Him. Thus, on the one hand, He refers to their ignorance, and on the other hand, He manifests Himself as the Son born of the Father. This is, in their opinion, blasphemy that must be punished by death. However, a secret power prevents them from arresting Him until the hour does come. + As a Man He did not come of Himself. As the Son of God He did not take His beginning from a human being. But, as He says, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.” (John 8:25) The words I say to you are not of man, but are divine.34 + Then, what is the meaning of “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me” (John 12:44)? This means, ‘Do not believe what you perceive in the human form, nor in solely the man you see.’ For, as much as we must not believe in Him as just a man, we must believe that Jesus Christ Himself is God and Man at the same time. For these two reasons He says, “I have not come of Myself “(John 7:28). As a Man He has not come of Himself; and as the Son of God He did not take His beginning from man. He says, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.” The words I say to you are not of man but are divine.35 Saint Ambrose + The words, “you know where I am from” do not refer to a particular place, but His saying, “He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know” indicate the ignorance they reveal through their deeds. As the Apostle says, “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him” (Titus 1:16). Their error originates not only from ignorance, but also from wickedness, their evil thought and bad judgment. In spite of their knowledge, they desired to be ignorant. 34 On the Christian Faith, Book 5:10:120. 35 On the Christian Faith, 5:10:120. https://coptic-treasures.com/ When they said, “we know where this Man is from”, they did not declare that He is from heaven. His answer, “you know where I am from” [28] means He is not from the place they assume, but from where He who sent Him.36 + His words, “I have not come of Myself” declare that they knew the Father sent Him, but still they did not want to avow it. He blames them on two counts: first that they spoke in secret, but He spoke openly to shame them and reveal their secret thoughts. Secondly, while they insist, “no one knows where He is from” He affirms that He Himself is the Christ. They say, “no one knows” referring to distinctive local places. However with these same words He reveals Himself as the Christ because He has come from the Father. His words concerning the Father, “whom you do not know” aroused their anger. He rebuked them because, as He knew their pretence of ignorance, His reproof was enough to dishonor them.37 Saint John Chrysostom + The Scriptures, God’s inspiration, have granted you to know Me and to know where I am from. That you know I am from Nazareth or Bethlehem, and that I am born of a woman does not excuse you to have no faith. But, because of these things that were said about Me and because of My birth in flesh, you should rather have advanced in understanding the mysteries concerning Me, rather than echoing a single word of a prophet who spoke about My incomprehensible birth from God the Father. + I am not like you. I shall not imitate your despicable behavior against Me. For, I have not come of Myself. I do not yield to natural impulse as you do. I have come from heaven and He who sent Me is true. He is not like the devil who sent you, Satan the liar whose spirit you received and you dared to tell lies about the prophecies. Satan stirred you up to invent words and say they are God’s words. For the devil is not true; he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Saint Cyril the Great + As though He says, ‘you know Me, and you know where I am from. But you do not know where I am from... You know where I, Jesus the Nazarene, am from; you know. You know His parents because His birth of a perpetual virgin was concealed from you. The virgin’s husband acknowledges this, for he can testify honestly as a jealous husband that that was the expected virginal birth. They knew the facts concerning Jesus as a man. They knew His face, city, and family. If they inquired, they would know where He was born. In truth, He said, “you both know Me, and you know where I am from” [28], but this that you know concerns my human form. As for His divinity, He says, “I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know.” [28] You could have known Him and believed Him who sent Me. “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” (John 1:18) “Nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” (Matt 11:27). Saint Augustine + “Whom you do not know” since you do not know Him who is of Him and in whom 36 Hom 50. PG 59:294-295. 37 Hom 50. PG 59:295. https://coptic-treasures.com/ alone the Father is declared. For, he who has seen the Son has seen the Father (John 14:9) and he who knows the Son does not ignore Him who begot Him. He is not like them who do not know His Father. He affirms that He knows Himself and knows Him (the Father) very well indeed. For, He is God from God the Father and has a special, wonderful, and strange knowledge of all those things as befits Him alone. For, the Son does not know the Father in the same way we know Him. The nature of creatures reaches the conception of God through understanding only and does not exceed its appropriate limits. It unwillingly submits to the divine nature combined in the inexpressible words. But, the only begotten Son of God the Father who begot Him perfectly in Himself, depicts the essence of the Father in Himself and knows Him in an inexpressible sense because things concerning God cannot be expressed. Saint Cyril the Great “But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.” [29] + Why does He say, “I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me” [29]? He declares both in a glorious manner. He says, “I am from Him” because the Son is from the Father, and the Son is as Him from whom He is the Son. We, therefore, say that the LORD Jesus Christ is God from God. We do not say about the Father that He is God from God, but that He is God. We say about the LORD Jesus, light from light. We do not say about the Father that He is light from light, but that He is the light. This is why He says, “I am from Him.” But depending on your beholding Me in the flesh “He sent Me.” When you hear “He sent Me” do not think that there is a difference in essence, but only in the authority of Him who begot.38 Saint Augustine Saint John Chrysostom comments on the wonderful meekness of the LORD Christ through which He won many souls to belief in Him. + Do you not see how He always desired to prove by this: “I have not come of Myself” “He who sent Me is true” that He endeavored not to be considered an enemy of God? Notice the great benefit of His humble words, for it was later said “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?” 39 Saint John Chrysostom “Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.” [30] + The Lord’s rebuke silenced the Pharisees. And when they were sure that their silence concerning these things harmed their obduracy and benefited the multitude (for they were convinced He was the Christ) they thirsted again for His murder and put their reverence of the law aside. They were then counted as unworthy to remember the commandment “the innocent and righteous slay thou not” (exodus 23:7). However, the divine act restrained them, controlled their evil action and changed their plots into mere attempts. Saint Cyril the Great + “Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour 38 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 31:4. 39 Homilies on St. John 50:2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ had not yet come” that is to say, because He did not will that. For, what is the meaning of these words, “His hour had not yet come”? The LORD was not born subject to a particular destiny. You must not believe this concerning yourself: (that you are destined. All the more reason that you do not think that about your Creator.) If your hour obeys His good will (and is not by fate) how much more appropriate it is that His hour will not come except in accordance to His good will? The word “the hour” does not mean the hour when He will die unwillingly, but rather means the hour when He willingly condescends to die. He waited for the hour when He dies just as He waited for the hour when He was born. The Apostle spoke about that saying, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son born.. (Gal 4:4). For this reason, many ask why did not Christ come before? The answer is, because the fullness of the time had not yet come. In the first place it was necessary to announce His coming throughout many years and eras because His coming is not a trivial event. The foretelling for a long time of Him to whom we adhere eternally was requisite. The greater the eminence of the judge the longer is the line of his forerunners who announce his coming. In short, when the fullness of the time had come He who saved us from time came. When we are saved from time we reach eternity where there is no time. Then we shall not say, ‘when will the hour come?’ because the eternal day is not preceded by yesterday, nor is it cut short by tomorrow. But in this world the days recur one after the other; days pass and days come and no day is everlasting. During the moments we are speaking one moment drags another, each moment in turn. Since we began speaking we have become older, for certainly I am now older than when I was in the morning. Likewise, nothing remains without change; nothing is stable in time. Therefore, we should love Him through whom time was made, for when we love Him we are free from time and abide in the everlasting where there is no change in time. The blessings of our LORD Jesus Christ are great. For our sake He existed in time, He who made time. He existed among all things, He who through whom all things were made and He became that which He created. He became Man He who created man so that the things He created may not perish. We consider this provision happened the hour He was born. However, at that time the hour of His suffering had not yet come. He therefore had not yet suffered.40 Saint Augustine “And many of the people believed in Him, and said, ‘When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?’” [31] The more the anguish of the rulers and their attempts at killing the LORD Christ and subduing the public, the more did the truth become clear. Therefore, many of the people believed in Him. The rulers detected unbearable blasphemy in the overt speech of the LORD Christ. Yet, many of the people perceived in His acts of extreme love a sure proof that He was the Promised Messiah, for it was impossible that anyone could do signs similar to those of the LORD Christ. The LORD indeed said that He came for the rising of many, and also for the fall of many. 40 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 31:5. https://coptic-treasures.com/ + As I often repeat the worldly are convinced not by the teachings or by preaching, but by miracles.41 Saint John Chrysostom + They always labored to show that He was not the Christ. But, if we consider that He is not the Christ, will the Christ be better than Him? Saint John Chrysostom + The LORD healed the humble and the poor. The leaders were in rage and they for this reason only did not know the Physician and even sought to kill Him. There were many people who quickly saw their sickness and without delay knew their cure. Behold how the multitudes were stirred by His miracles and so believed in Him.42 Saint Augustine “The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him.” [32] Many of the people began to believe in Him and there was murmuring among the crowd. The rulers felt that any delay was not in their interest. They, therefore, sent officers (of the temple) to arrest Him. + The people accused them truly that they were more defeated by their envy than by an interest in the deliverance of the people. And it seems that the crowd wronged them, and became more thirsty for belief in Him. + It was more suitable for the chief priests to be leaders in good judgment and have control over the direction of advice that does not oppose God. But as they were far from any good course and had thrown the divine law behind their personal lives, they were swept away by the satisfaction of their stupid agitation only. That is because it is written the head has become the tail (Deut 218:44) for the leader has become a follower and by agreement with the perverse Pharisees, has given vent to his attacks against Christ also. Saint Cyril the Great “Then Jesus said to them, ‘I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me.” [33] Here He speaks to the people, not to the officers. He shows that He knows all about the secret plots of the rulers against Him, though they yet failed to practically fulfill their aim. + Tell Me why you are so angry as though I shall stay with you a long time in this world. I confess I am a heavy burden for you. I do not bring much joy to those who do not honor virtue. But do not lay death snares for Me before it is time. “I shall be with you a little while longer” and I shall go joyfully when the right hour for My suffering comes. I shall depart as God from among the wicked, but I shall remain with My people all the time even though it will seem I am absent in the flesh. Why do you torture yourselves with fruitless counsel? Sheathe your envy weapon, for you point it at no aim. 41 Homilies on St. John 50:2. 42 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 31:7. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Life will not submit to death; corruption will do no harm to incorruption. The gates of Hades will not confine Me and I shall not become a dead body in your graves. I shall rise up high to Him from whom I am. I shall ascend again to heaven seen by the people and the angels together as a judge of your blasphemy. Human beings will wonder at My ascension and when the angels meet Me they will say, “What are these wounds in Your hands? Then I shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends.” (Zech 13:6). Saint Cyril the Great + I need to complete My provision through that My suffering may be executed.43 Saint Augustine “You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.” [34] Some liken the LORD Christ’s words to the pillar of a cloud and the pillar of fire that appeared to the people of Israel in the wilderness. For, Christ’s words are, on the one hand, radiant and joyful, but, on the other hand, they are dark. The joyful aspect is in that the LORD Christ walked in this world a little while, to cross over to the valley of pain then ascend to the Father. It is a world full of hardship that He traveled every day carrying the cross, but this will not last long. Our days are full of trouble; we must endure the thorns and overstep the obstacles and barriers, but we thank God, these are few! Pain will not travel with us to Paradise! He says, “I go” and so affirms that He willingly, and not against His will, accepts death. He chose this difficult journey as the ambassador of the Father. He offered His life to be a sacrifice for the sake of the world, and then returned to the Father. The uprising of the rulers against Him and their opposition had no power without His permission. At the same time, His heart burned as a Son of Man to go to the Father. As for the dark side, it concerns the rulers who have so much envy and hatred that they hurry to remove Him from all the earth. However, they do not realize that they seek Him and do not find Him. They obtain the consequence of their ingratitude towards Him. They drink of the cup of their sins when they cannot know and reach Him. Some writers say that here He speaks about the event when the Romans led by Titus will invade Jerusalem. The Jews will then cry for a savior like Ahab when he sought Elijah and searched for him, but could not find him (1 Kings 18:10). He may mean that they will, on the Day of Judgment, discover that they opposed the truth. They will seek to participate in the glory with the Messiah, but they will not find Him because the way of repentance will have been closed and everyone will receive according to his deeds. They expect to be saved and rejoice in heaven, but they will find that He whom they resisted is the heavenly judge of humanity and that they are not fit to enter heaven, for they refused the cross, the tree of life. + The blessed Paul writes in truth, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:2) And again, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all” (Gal 6:10). For, when we lose the opportunity, we lose what it brought. We must not sleep 43 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 31:8. https://coptic-treasures.com/ when the blessings are there; we must rather be vigilant and strive wisely to obtain what is profitable, not when the search is futile. + Let then the spiritual Paul call with a loud voice those who died to sin, saying, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Col 3:3-4) In his sermon about the resurrection he also writes, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air. And thus we shall always be with the LORD.” (1 Thess 4:17) Yes. As when the thief, who was hanged with Him and was at the very point of death, believed in Him, he took hold of the grace of the saints. For, Christ said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Thus, those who honor Him with obedience will be with Him with no hindrance. They will rejoice because of the blessings that surpass understanding. But those who do not desist from offending Him with their stupidity although they are sons of the wedding, they will be cast out in the abyss of grief to receive bitter punishment. As it is written, they “will be cast out into outer darkness” (Matt 8:12). Saint Cyril the Great + Here He, beforehand, tells them about His resurrection. When He was present, they did not know Him. But later they will seek Him when they discover that the multitudes had believed in Him. Wonderful signs will happen when the LORD rises and ascends to heaven. His disciples will achieve great deeds. He will work through them as He personally worked. For, He said to them, “without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). When the lame man who sat at the gate walked after he heard Peter’s voice, the people were filled with wonder. Then Peter spoke to them saying that it was not by his own power that he made the man walk, but though Him whom they killed (Acts 3:16). Many were pricked in their hearts and asked, “what should we do?” when they perceived that they were involved in a horrible crime when they killed Him whom they should honor and worship.44 + He did not say, ‘where I shall be’, but said, “where I am [34] because Christ has always been in that place when He was on His way back. He came in a manner through which He did not leave that place (heaven). “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.” (John 3:13) He did not say He was in heaven. He spoke while He was on earth and said that at that time He was in heaven.45 + He did not say, ‘you will not be able to come’, but He said, “you cannot come” [34] because at that time they were not able for that. And, so that they may know that He did not say this to cause them to lose hope, He said to His disciples, “where I am going, you cannot come” (John 13:33). Yet, in His prayer for them He said, “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am” (John 17:24). He explained to Peter saying, “where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward” (John 13:36).46 Saint Augustine 44 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 31:9. 45 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 31:9. 46 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 31:4. https://coptic-treasures.com/ + Even in this present life, a soldier who disrespects his king cannot see the king, but is dismissed from his position, and is punished cruelly. Therefore, if we steal, are greedy, or offend others, if we do not practice deeds of mercy, we cannot go there. We shall then suffer the experience of the foolish virgins who could not enter. They were lazy, their lamps were extinguished, that is to say, grace left them.47 Saint John Chrysostom “Then the Jews said among themselves, ‘Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?” [35] They thought that He spoke about leaving Judea and going to the Dispersion in the world to preach the Jews who were in many countries having Greek culture and using the Greek Septuagint. The Jews in Judea wanted to clean the Jews from Hellenic (Greek) thought. They thought He intended to go to the pagan nations to preach to them. + What is “the Dispersion among the Greeks”? This is what the Jews called the Gentiles because the Jews were dispersed in all places and were intermixed with the others without satiation. This shame caused them to fall later and they became scattered. After saying this, they noticed that they did not say that He will go to destroy them, but they said, He will go to “teach” them. To this degree they dropped their anger.48 Saint John Chrysostom + Indeed, the LORD was going to the Gentiles (the Greeks) not in His personal presence, but on His feet. What are those two feet? Those are the two feet that Saul wanted to trample on by persecuting Christians. Then the Head cried to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4)49 + This that the LORD speaks about saying that they do not know the place – if it is right to call it a place – is in the bosom of the Father. Christ never left it, and they were not qualified to comprehend where Christ was from where He will never withdraw. For where He goes He has always been. How can the human heart understand this? And even more how can the human tongue explain it? They never understood that and yet they foretold our salvation by saying that the LORD will go to the Dispersion among the Gentiles. They accomplished what they read, but did not understand: “A people I have not known shall serve me. As soon as they hear of me they obey me” (Ps 18:43) Those who were in front of His eyes did not listen to Him, but His voice rang in the ears of those who heard of Him.50 Saint Augustine “What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?” [36] 47 Homilies on St. John 50:3. 48 Hom 50. 49 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 31:10. 50 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 31:10. https://coptic-treasures.com/ + They do not say, ‘He will ascend to heaven’ even though they heard Him say clearly, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me.” [33] But they imagined a city of the Greeks as if the Father sent Him among them. They are like those who prophesy and do not know what they say. Some divine force drove them and caused them, in their doubt, to introduce Christ into a Gentile city and think that this might happen after a little while. In saying this they offend Him with disgrace as though He had transgressed the law; as though He broke the divine commandments and disregarded all things. Saint Cyril the Great 6 – The Promise of Pentecost “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.’” [37] Those who attached themselves to Moses the prophet, drank water from the rock in the wilderness. The rock followed them and overflowed with water to quench their thirst. But he who believes in the LORD Christ carries the Rock inside himself and the flood springs not from the outside, but inside him, in his inner self where the kingdom of God is. The Jews call the running water, living water, because it moves all the time and does not stop. Likewise, when the LORD Christ is in the heart, the believer enjoys many blessings and those blessings inundate those who surround him (Prov 10:11). We do not only drink of the spring inside us and rest in the divine grace given to us, but we must also let this inner well overflow to quench the thirst of many. Thus, the dry, barren earth changes into a Paradise and its water overflows the dry, barren spirits to share its new paradisiacal nature. On the last day of the feast, the LORD Christ stood to offer a call to the people about to return to their homes. He offered His invitation openly crying out. During the first days of the feast they offer sacrifices for the seventy nations in the world. However, the last day is devoted for Israel alone. Therefore, the eighth day was considered “great” and had its special importance. + He does not say, ‘You must drink, you must run whether you like or not.’ He rather says, ‘Let whoever wishes and is able, run and drink, for he will overcome and drink.’51 Saint Jerome + It is not an insignificant matter that we read that a river proceeds from the throne of God. The Evangelist John writes, “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Rev 22:1-2) This is certainly the river proceeding from the throne of God, that is to say, the Holy Spirit that who believes in Christ drinks as Christ Himself said [37-38].52 Saint Ambrose 51 Against Jovinianus, 1:12. 52 Of the Holy Spirit, Book 3:20:153-154. https://coptic-treasures.com/ + In conclusion, a man must either take everything from the river or the valley, or he perishes. We, therefore, say that our LORD Jesus Christ is compared to the river; in Him we find all joy and comfort in hope; in Him we rejoice in spiritual bliss. Saint Cyril the Great + If we are thirsty, let us come not on foot, but by means of our emotions. Let us come, not by moving from our place, but by love. Although in accordance to my inner self I like also to move from one place to another, yet whoever changes his place physically, does so because he is motivated by his heart. If you now like something and previously you liked something else, you are now not at the same place where you were.53 Saint Augustine + Even though the soul is united with God, yet it does not feel fully and absolutely happy. The more it enjoys His beauty, the more it yearns for Him. The words of the Bridegroom are Spirit and Life (John 5:24). All those who adhere to the Spirit become spirits. All those who adhere to Life pass from death into life as the LORD said. Thus, the virgin spirit always aspires to grow through the spring of spiritual life. The spring is the mouth of the Bridegroom, from it emerge the words of everlasting life. He fills the mouth that approaches Him, as David the prophet said that he opened his mouth and received the Spirit (Ps 119:131). In order that he may drink, it is necessary for the person to put his mouth on the mouth of the spring. The LORD Himself is the spring as He says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). Therefore, the thirsty souls wish to put their mouths on the mouth that gives life and say, “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth” (Song of Solomon 1:2). He who grants life to all and desires all men to be saved yearns for everyone to enjoy a share of these kisses that purify from all filth.54 + We need to meditate well on the holy words in the Song: “Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.” (Song of Solomon 4:8) What do these words mean? The Spring of grace attracts all those who are thirsty, as the Spring says in the Gospel, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). In these words, Christ does not set any limit for our thirst and our movement towards Him. Nor does He limit our thirst quenching. His command extends to all times and urges us to thirst and go to Him. Those who tasted and saw, through trial, that God is great and good (Ps 34:8) have a sense of taste that impels them to approach more. Therefore, the person who walks continuously towards God does not lack this incentive to advance.55 + If we wish to quote a greater evidence from the Holy Bible, we point out the words of the LORD Christ to those who believe in Him, that rivers of living water will flow out of anyone who believes in Him. He says, “He who believes in Me … out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38) Add to this that the pure hearts are referred to as showing the work of 53 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 32:2. 54 Song of Solomon by Saint Gregory of Syssa, translated into Arabic by Dr. George Nawar, 1993; sermon 1. 55 Ibid., sermon 8. https://coptic-treasures.com/ law written in them (Rom 2:15). The Apostle explains that the Law is written in the heart. It is written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God (2 Cor 3:3). God draws these letters in the spirit, not on tablets of stone – so says the Apostle – but on the tablet of the pure heart, the light and luminous. It is necessary to trace the holy words that are in the pure, clear memory, over the leading force of the spirit, in distinct relief. The breath, indeed, refers to the glorification of the Bridegroom’s heart only, the tablet that emits light the color of the sky. This image guides us so that we may be aware of the heavenly things, where our treasure is (Matt 6:21). If we keep God’s commandments steadfastly, sacred hopes will be created for us to invigorate our spiritual eyes.56 + After that, the Song raises the Bride to the highest glory with the additional name that she is a well of living waters and streams from Lebanon. The Holy Bible teaches us that the nature of God is to grant life. This is expressed in a prophecy by a man of God that says, “they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters” (Jer 2:13). Then, the LORD Christ says to the Samaritan woman, “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.’” (John 4:10) The LORD said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive.” (John 7:37-39) All these statements indicate that the living water is the holy nature. It is permissible, therefore, that the Song says truly of the Bride that she is a well of living waters and streams from Lebanon. This, indeed, contradicts the known fact that all wells contain stagnant water. However, the Bride alone has running water in a deep well and this water overflows continuously. Who is able and worthy to understand the wonders granted to the Bride? It is clear that she reached her utmost wishes. For, she is compared to the eternal beauty, from which all beauty originates. Her fountain is exactly similar to her Bridegroom’s fountain; her life is like his, her water is his. His word is a living word and by it lives every spirit that receives it. This water flows out of God as the Spring of living waters says, “for I proceeded forth and came from God” (John 8:42). The Bride keeps the flow of living water in the well of her spirit. She becomes a dwelling that treasures this living water that flows from Lebanon, that is to say, that forms the streams from Lebanon, as the text says. We have become in communion with God by possessing this well in order that we may achieve Wisdom’s commandment (Prov 5:15, 17) and drink waters out of our own well and not the well of a stranger. We enjoy that in Christ our LORD to whom is glory and majesty forever. Amen.57 Saint Gregory of Nyssa The Psalm refers to God as a river that flows with His blessing to quench the thirst of the human race (Ps 36:7-8). He will extend peace and glory to the Gentiles (Is 66:12 LXX). “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” [38] 56 Ibid.; sermon 14. 57 Ibid.; sermon 9. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Who believes in Me and accepts Me as the Messiah about whom the Scriptures prophesied, the Holy Spirit dwells in his heart and overflows with life. He becomes a spring that has abundance of the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, freedom, and enlightenment. The Jews were used to liken the work of the Holy Spirit to the ‘former’ and the ‘latter’ rain and to the fountains, wells and rivers and so on (Ps 36:8-9; Is 44:3-4; Joel 2:23). When He says, “If anyone thirsts”, He means, if anyone senses his want of righteousness, his need for the spiritual blessings, or his inner emptiness. “Let him come to Me and drink.” Let him not stand before the chief priest and admire the golden vessel from which he pours a little water from the pool of Siloam. Let him not go to many contradictory pagan philosophies that attract and deceive men. Let him rather come to the LORD Christ as the Holy Bible presents to us in both Testaments. + The reward of faith is great and endless. The believer says that he enjoys the richest blessings of God. For, he will be filled with the gifts of the Spirit that will not only enrich his mind, but will also be able to overflow in the hearts of others like a running river that abounds with bliss granted by God to his neighbor also. Saint Cyril the Great + There is inner thirst, and there is inner heart, for there is inner self. This inner self is truly invisible, but the outer man is visible. However, the inner is better than the outer. The invisible is more loved, for, certainly, the inner man is more loved than the outer man.58 + What does the fountain mean, and what is the river that flows out of the heart of the inner man? This is the inclination to be charitable and to care for one’s brother. If he imagines that his drink must satisfy him alone, there will be no living water flowing out of his heart. But, if he hastens to care for his brother, he will not be dry, but will rather overflow.59 Saint Augustine + The heart…where, in the Holy Bible, do we find these words, that ‘out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’? Nowhere. What, then is the meaning of “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said”? Here, we must stop, for the statement “out of his heart will flow rivers” may be an assertion about Christ. Many said, “this is truly the Christ.” They said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these?” He reveals the need for true knowledge, and that they must not be content with the miracles, but with the Scripture. He previously said, “search the Scriptures” (5:39) and also, “It is written in the prophets” and “they shall all be taught by God” (6:45). He said, “Moses accuses you” (5:45) and here He says, “as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers” hinting at the greatness of the grace and its overflow. In another place He calls it “everlasting life”, but here He calls it “rivers of living water.” For, when the grace of the Spirit enters and dwells in the mind, it overflows more than any fountain. It will neither stop nor waste away. He calls it “a well” and “rivers”, so that we may understand that it gives unending help 58 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 32:2. 59 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 32:4. https://coptic-treasures.com/ and that at the same time it is an unfailing energy. It is not one river, but numerous, countless rivers. It is possible for a person to understand clearly what this means if he takes into consideration the wisdom of Stephen, the eloquence of Peter, and the zeal of Paul.60 Saint John Chrysostom + Thus, the LORD commands the prophet to cross the river (1 Kings 17:2) so that he may drink of the New Covenant, not only of one river, but “out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” [38]. These are rivers of understanding, rivers of meditation, spiritual rivers that will dry up at times of disbelief, lest those who defile sacred things, and the non-believers drink of them. At that place, the ravens knew what the Jews did not know. The ravens brought him food, while the royal, honorable people persecuted him.61 Saint Ambrose “But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” [39] God does not withhold His Spirit from the human race. He created man so that the Spirit of God works and dwells in him. But man turned his back willingly and did not accept Him. The Spirit then became a guest working in the men of God and in prophets, and even sometimes, in non-believers to attract them to faith. However, when the LORD was glorified on the Cross, He paid the price for the forgiveness of our sins and our glorification in Him. He granted us the Spirit in abundance as He had promised in Joel 2:28. The Holy Spirit is the greatest gift; He is the giver of gifts. We received a promise of His coming to the Church and His dwelling in the heart of the believer. He will distribute the talents and gifts as He wills, for the glory of God, the growth of the Church, and the redemption of the spirits. Saint Augustine opines that the Holy Spirit descended on many before Jesus was glorified with His resurrection. Examples are Simeon the Elder, Anna the prophetess, and Saint Mary at the Incarnation. However, the descent of the Holy Spirit after the Resurrection, was general on the Church on Pentecost when all the Gentile languages were spoken. But why does not the believer obtain the gift of speaking in Gentile languages when he is baptized now and receives the Holy Spirit? Saint Augustine answers this question saying that as the Church spread over the world, Christians spoke all the languages of the world. Every Christian, as a member of the universal Church, considers himself as one who speaks all the languages of nations, because the languages of his brethren are considered his language, for he and they are members in one body.62 Once more, Saint Augustine says that after Christ’s resurrection, Christ granted us the Holy Spirit through whom we love the Church and enjoy her love and unity. We enjoy the resurrection with Him when with our hearts we leave the world and live with Him in heaven. “We have the Holy Spirit if we love the Church. But we love the Church if we abide in her unity and love. Here, we are born and die. Would we do not love the world, but leave it with love and with love dwell in the highest with the same love that God loves us. In this life journey would we 60 Hom 51. PG 59:300-301. 61 Letter, 63:78-79. 62 St. Augustine: ON the Gospel of St. John, tactate 32:7. https://coptic-treasures.com/ do not think of anything but that we remain here and that with good life we prepare for ourselves a place that we never leave.”63 If the Holy Spirit was not yet given, how did the prophets of the Old Testament perform miracles? Was not that the work of the Holy Spirit dwelling in them? Again, how did the Lord’s disciples practice miracles before the Holy Spirit descended on them? Saint John Chrysostom answers this question saying, “They cast out demons not with the Spirit, but some of them did that through the power given them.” “He sent them”: the Evangelist does not say, ‘He gave them the Holy Spirit’, but says, “He gave them power” (Matt 10:1) to cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons in the same manner as the prophets. In the case of the prophets they all confess that this is the gift of the Holy Spirit. But this gift was limited and would depart and was incomplete on earth. The Holy Spirit was preserved for particular individuals. “But the future overflows.”64 + The Cross is called “glory.” It was necessary to offer the Sacrifice for us first to remove the hostility that is in our body, in order that we may become friends of God and then accept the Gift.65 Saint John Chrysostom + The Holy Spirit is the river that flows – according to the Hebrews – from Christ to the earth. We have accepted that, as Isaiah prophesied (Is 66:12). This great river that will always overflow and never stop is not only a river, but is also one of the abundant currents that overflow greatness as David says, "There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God"”(Ps 46:4). Thus the irrigation of that city, the heavenly Jerusalem, is not by an earthly river, but by this Holy Spirit who proceeds from God, the source of life. That stream that proceeds from the One who satisfies us seems to overflow abundantly among the heavenly thrones, potentates, and powers, and among the angels and archangels, running in the complete share of the seven spiritual virtues.66 Saint Ambrose + God the Father began to give the Spirit again. Christ was the first to accept the Spirit as the First One in the renewed nature. For, John testified saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven …and He remained upon Him.” (John 1:32) Christ did not accept the Spirit for Himself, but rather for us in Him. For, all good things overflow also in us through Him. For, when our grandfather, Adam, digressed through deceit, he fell into rebellion and sin, and he did not keep the blessing of the Spirit. Thus, in Adam, the human nature lost all the good that God gave it. It was necessary, therefore, that God, the Unchangeable, should become a Man in order that the goodness He obtains as Man He keeps in our nature forever. Our guide in the interpretation of these mysteries is the godly Psalmist himself. He says to the Son, “You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” (Ps 45:7). + There is a rich, special glamour in the holy prophets. They get it from the source of enlightenment, that is the Holy Spirit who can guide them to understand forthcoming things and 63 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate 32:8-9. 64 Hom 51: PG 59:300-301. 65 Hom 51: PG 59:301. 66 Of the Holy Spirit 1:16:177-178. https://coptic-treasures.com/ know terrible news. But we are confident that those who believe in Christ do not only obtain enlightenment through the Holy Spirit, but the Spirit Himself dwells and makes His home in them. Let us comprehend that He means the residence of the Holy Spirit in human beings is perfect. Saint Cyril the Great “Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, ‘Truly this is the Prophet.’” [40] Some said that He is the great Prophet about whom Moses the prophet spoke (Deut 18:15). However, unfortunately, they could not understand that the Prophet meant the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Others said He was the Christ. “Others said, ‘This is the Christ.’ But some said, ‘Will the Christ come out of Galilee?’” [41] The Old Testament prophesied that the Christ would come of the tribe of Judah from the line of David. Therefore, some doubted, as they did not know that He was born in Bethlehem, but thought that He was born in Galilee. Saint Cyril the Great says that the crowds, like the Pharisees, lacked accuracy in this matter. They thought that the Prophet that God promised to Moses He will raise up from among his brethren, like Moses (Deut 18:18) was a different person from the Christ. Because of their lack of accuracy, the Pharisees thought that three persons would appear. For, they say to Saint John the Baptist, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” (John 1:25) “Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” [42] The Jews knew that the LORD Christ would come from the seed of David (Ps 132:11) and would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). But, as Saint Cyril the Great says, the Jews fell into error and needed right thinking because it was rumored that Jesus was brought up in Nazareth (Luke 4:16). “So there was a division among the people because of Him.” [43] + Because of their division they did not know the Christ. They did not understand the accuracy of the Scripture. For, if they believed that Jesus was the Prophet mentioned in the Law, they would not have fallen into this unbecoming discussion. Saint Cyril the Great “Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.” [44] The result is that there was a division among the crowd. There were four groups. One group believed He was the Prophet, but not the Christ. Another group believed He was the https://coptic-treasures.com/ Christ. A third group could see in Him signs of the Christ, but they stumbled because they thought He was from Galilee. The fourth group followed the rulers and wanted to take Him, but could not. + No one laid hands on Him, not because they honored Him, but because only His power stopped them. Saint Cyril the Great “Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, ‘Why have you not brought Him?’” [45] Although this was the last great day of the feast, yet they could not be happy because they deprived themselves of the LORD Christ, the source of joy. The chief priest performed the feast ritual. Yet he, the priests, and Pharisees were not preoccupied with helping the people to enjoy God’s love and understand the mystery of the feast, but they instead distracted the people with appearances while the rulers conspired. In their opinion, church politics were more important than the spiritual work. They sat in the special meeting room waiting for the arrival of the officers of the temple with Jesus in fetters. As they sent the officers of the temple to arrest Him, they were terrified when they saw the officers coming back without Him. They were astonished when the officers returned without Him and they may have thought that He, as usual in such cases, had hidden until the hour would come. “The officers answered, ‘No man ever spoke like this Man.’” [46] They did not expect that the officers of the temple themselves would be attracted to Him and testify boldly before the multitude that “No man ever spoke like this Man.” The officers may have followed the LORD since He came about the middle of the feast. They listened attentively to Him to find a reason for arresting Him. But, the more they listened, the more they were convinced that He was righteous and full of heavenly wisdom. The rulers told them that He was a false prophet and deceiver. But when they heard Him, they adhered to Him and realized that He taught the truth, all the truth, and nothing but the truth. + We may assume that the words of the officers were full of reason. They reasoned as follows. We are satisfied with the teaching of the Scripture. We boast that we are learned in the divine Law, and we admire wisdom as goodness not from this earth. Why, then, do we wickedly expel Him who has wisdom and, in great misconception, disgrace Him whom we should not accuse, but to whom we owe special love? Yes. We submit to the Law, and yet we are eager to kill an innocent and righteous man (Ex 23:7) without cause. Concerning the statement, “No man ever spoke like this Man” I believe that one can say about this something to this effect. They probably meant to say, ‘it is unreasonable to blame us because we have not brought to you now whom you want. For, how can a person resist, even against his will, a Man whose words are those of a god. He does not speak like a human being, His words are not those of a human being; they are those that rightly belong to one who has God’s nature. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Let anyone say if any holy prophet can call himself a river or dare to say, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” When did the great Moses say to us, “He who believes in Me out of his heart will flow rivers of living waters"? How can we take Him against His will, He who is above us immeasurably, as God is above men? This is how the officers gave a clear proof that the LORD is God in essence. This is how they attacked on every side those who resisted God. Saint Cyril the Great + Here are the chief priests and the Pharisees who thought that they had more wisdom than others. They came to the Christ and saw His wonders; they read the Scripture, but nothing profited them. They were blind. But their officers heard with the multitude one speech of the LORD Christ and that speech trapped them. They went to Him to arrest Him, but they returned bound and amazed at Him. We admire their understanding, for they did not need signs, but only His doctrine to lure them. They did not say that no human being ever did such wonders like Him. They said, “No man ever spoke like this Man.’” We, therefore, must not marvel at their understanding, we must rather be surprised at their boldness because they said that to the Pharisees who had sent them. Their words are not the words of those who merely admire Him, but they also blame their masters because they oppose without listening. Although they did not hear a sermon, but only a brief talk, they were convinced. When a person hears a long sermon his mind decides impartially and does not need a long discussion.67 Saint John Chrysostom “Then the Pharisees answered them, ‘Are you also deceived?” [47] No wonder that since its beginnings and until now, some think that Christianity deceives. Whoever accepts it is deceived. + See how this answer is full of some kind of despair. They have no hope for the people. What has hindered your love for us, though you grew out of the same lack of belief as we did! Saint Cyril the Great “Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?” [48] For them, the criterion for truth is that a large number of the rulers accept Him. For, though many among the populace believe in Him, the rulers still think that if only a few of them believe in Him, this proves that He is a deceiver and has no truth in Him.68 7 – The Testimony of the Officers of the Altar for Him “But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” [49] 67 Homilies on St. John 52:1. 68 68 Homilies on St. John 52:1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ The Pharisees despised the people. They did not regard the people’s belief in the LORD Christ as important, but they thought the people did not understand the law and were, therefore, accursed. The religious leaders at that time, even though they were in conflict among themselves, they still agreed in considering the people uneducated and so scorned and despised them. Instead of blaming themselves for neglecting to care and teach the people, they said the people were accursed. They blamed the people for their ignorance, instead of blaming themselves for failing in their task as teachers. + The Pharisees fell as usual in the sin of bragging. They accused of ignorance those who admired Jesus for His wonders and for doing divine deeds. They crowned themselves alone with service in accordance to the law and with knowledge of the Scriptures. They admired themselves much and they became thoughtless. In their extreme contempt they easily described the people as ignorant. Saint Cyril the Great + O Pharisees, you bear the blame, for the multitudes believed in the LORD Christ, but you denied Him. They acted as those who know the law. How, then, may they be accursed? Truly, you are accursed because you did not observe the law. Saint John Chrysostom “Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them {50] ‘Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?’” [51] Nicodemus was a Pharisee and one of the rulers of the Jews. God, thus, was not without witness even among the corrupt Sanhedrim. God’s witness in Nebuchadnezzar’s palace was the prophet Daniel; in Artaxerxes’s palace Nehemiah was God’s witness, and God found Hushai among Absalom’s wicked advisers and used him to change their evil counsel into foolishness. Nicodemus objected to the false steps they took against Jesus. He said that thy acted against the law. + Nicodemus exposed them as ignorant of the Law. They neither knew nor observed the law. For, the law does not decree the murder of a man before his judges hear him. Yet, these hurry to kill Him before they hear Him. Therefore, they disobey the Law. Saint John Chrysostom + He was somewhat alarmed because he considered himself accursed along with the others. For, a man’s conscience hastens not to be silent when faced with things he opposes. He diverted the very insult to them, not frankly, but by discussion, and his words of objection took their force from the Law but not in a direct, open manner. Saint Cyril the Great “They answered and said to him, ‘Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.’” [52] Although Nicodemus did not leave his membership in the Sanhedrim to follow the LORD Christ as His disciple, he testified for Him in the middle of the assembly in the darkest https://coptic-treasures.com/ moments. They based their discussion on several mistakes besides their envy and malevolence. They thought that Jesus was from Galilee, although He was born in Bethlehem of the house of David. They thought that most of His disciples were Galileans, yet He had many disciples from Judea. Moreover, they claimed that no prophet had arisen out of Galilee, but Elijah the prophet was from Gilead. + The Pharisees falsely say about Christ our Savior, “no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” They should have rather inquired how He who came of Jewish parents (John 6:42) could be a Galilean. They should have taken into consideration that He was brought up in Nazareth. They should not, for this reason, stray from faith. Saint Cyril the Great + When the Pharisees say to Nicodemus, “search and look” they imply that he should go and learn. That is to say, Nicodemus did not know all that was written in the Scriptures. “And everyone went to his own house.” [53] The meeting ended and everyone went to his house without reaching a final decision. Inspired by John 7 Let Living Water Pour Forth in Me + Allow me, dear LORD to record this unique feast. Thousands and thousands of people were busy erecting their tents The tents were everywhere in the streets, squares, and fields. The crowds went out in two processions rejoicing. One group took tree branches and palm leaves to wave them And the other group went to Siloam with the chief priest to bring water. Everybody was eager to participate with great joy in the rituals of the Feast of Tabernacles. + Behold, I see two secret, serious processions. One secret procession was of the confused rulers. They did not feel happy with the feast as long as You lived to serve humanity! They did their best to get rid of You at any cost! And they considered every lie was in keeping the law so that they might kill You! + But Your secret procession is truly wonderful! You refused to go up with Your relatives to Jerusalem for the Feast. You went as it were in secret to celebrate a true Feast! Instead of the booths, You desired to build Your city in the hearts of those who believe in You. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Instead of the olive branches and palm leaves You gave them Your peace and victory. Instead of the leaders’ talks full of hypocrisy, You announced that You are the Truth. Instead of pouring water from a golden vessel, You revealed rivers of living water gushing inside us. + Yes. Let living water pour forth in me. So that instead of celebrating a symbolic feast of tabernacles, I celebrate an eternal, continuous feast. Instead of the water of Siloam, I drink the Holy Spirit. I drink and overflow on my brethren. Your Spirit turns our wilderness into a divine paradise! Your Holy Spirit grants us Your true peace! Your Holy Spirit grants us constant victory! Your Holy Spirit makes of us a holy city for God. + Yours is the glory, who goes up to Jerusalem. You change all bitterness into an everlasting joy. You open my heart’s door for Your Father and Your Holy Spirit. The heavenly find in it their pleasure.
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