Seeking Christ

We have listened in on our Lord's conversation with the crowd at the feast of booths. You will remember Jesus arrived at the middle of the feast and began to teach in the Temple. His presence and teaching sparked varied responses from the people there at the feast. Some marveled at Him because He knew the Scriptures so well, and had not studied at the feet of a recognized rabbi. Others (the Pharisees and the religious leaders) sought to have Him arrested and killed.

Verse 33 is a turning point in this conversation and in this Gospel. "Then Jesus said to them, "I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me."" This is the first time, the Lord Jesus spoke of "going away." There would be an end to our Lord's earthly mission. He said this right after the religious leaders sent some officers to arrest Him. Then we read, "Then Jesus said to them, 'I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.'" Why could they not come where Jesus was going?
I. The Leaders Could Not Come Because They Would Not Submit to God (v. 31-32).
II. The Jews Could Not Come Because They Did Not Understand (v. 35-36).
III. We Can Come Because We Believe in Him (John 13:33-36).