And the Jews Marvelled
A Sermon on John 7:15
Originally preached May 17, 1959
Scripture
15And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
Sermon Description
Trimming Christianity to mere ethical teachings or to matters of political agitation may interest certain people. Christians may even gain the respect of others through their good deeds or for their dedication to Sunday morning service. But in neither case, argues Dr. Martyn-Lloyd Jones, will people marvel at the Christian gospel. The one thing that true Christianity leads to is wonder and amazement. In this sermon on John 7:15 titled “And the Jews Marveled,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones says the essence of the gospel always leads people to marvel and true Christianity will have this effect. In the sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones traces this theme of amazement, astonishment, and marvel through the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. He asks whether or not the church is causing people to marvel, and if not, why? The listener will be challenged if they think Christianity is a set of rules to follow or a political program; that Jesus Christ came to help people live a better life; or that Jesus was simply a good man who left an example to follow. Listen to what the Bible says about the effect of the true gospel and hear the message of God’s grace, His salvation through Jesus Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The Jews marveled at Jesus' teaching in John 7:15. Marveling is a characteristic response to the Christian message.
- Marveling indicates something is truly Christian. The absence of marveling suggests something is lacking.
- Jesus caused marveling even before he was born. The angel's announcement to Mary led to her marveling.
- Jesus at age 12 caused marveling by confounding the teachers in the temple.
- Jesus' teaching and knowledge caused marveling despite his lack of formal education.
- Jesus' way of speaking caused marveling, e.g. the gracious words from his mouth in Luke 4.
- Jesus' miracles caused marveling, e.g. calming the storm. People asked "What is this?" and "Who is this?"
- Jesus' behavior caused marveling, e.g. not washing before dinner in Luke 11 and talking with the Samaritan woman in John 4.
- Jesus associating with sinners caused marveling, e.g. "receiveth sinners and eateth with them" in Luke 15.
- Jesus' trial caused marveling. He did not defend himself, causing Pilate to marvel greatly in Mark 15:5.
- Jesus' quick death caused marveling. Pilate marveled that he was already dead in Mark 15:44.
- The church's history has caused marveling, e.g. Peter and John healing the lame man, and the events of Pentecost.
- The gospel message causes marveling. Salvation by grace through faith, not by works, is astonishing.
- Regeneration, being born again, causes marveling. It is a mysterious act of God, not of man's efforts.
- There will be future marveling at Jesus' return and judgment of the world. Unbelievers will marvel and perish.
Sermon Q&A
What Did the Jews Marvel at in Jesus' Teaching in John 7:15?
What caused the Jews to marvel at Jesus in John 7:15?
The Jews marveled at Jesus' teaching because He displayed extraordinary knowledge and wisdom despite having no formal rabbinic education. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains: "The effect of his teaching was that the Jews marveled... 'How knoweth this man letters having never learned?' That's the problem. He was an enigma." They couldn't understand how someone who was just considered a carpenter's son could speak with such authority and understanding without having been trained in the rabbinic schools.
Why is "marvel" such an important concept in the New Testament?
According to Lloyd-Jones, "marvel" is "the word of all words that conveys to us the very essence of the Christian faith, the Christian message and the Christian position." The Gospels and Acts are filled with people being amazed, astonished, and marveling at Christ. This sense of wonder and amazement is a fundamental characteristic of authentic Christianity. Lloyd-Jones argues that "the presence or the absence of this element of marvel or amazement or astonishment proclaims very clearly, therefore, as to what claims to be Christianity is in reality Christianity or not."
What aspects of Jesus caused people to marvel throughout the Gospels?
People marveled at Jesus in multiple ways: 1. His birth and childhood - "Joseph and Mary marveled at those things which were spoken of him" 2. His understanding as a boy - "All that heard him were astonished at his understanding" 3. His teaching authority - "They marveled at the gracious words that came out of his mouth" 4. His miracles - "Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?" 5. His behavior - Pharisees marveled that He associated with sinners 6. His silence at trial - "He answered him to never a word insomuch that the governor marveled greatly" 7. His rapid death - "Pilate marveled if he were already dead"
Why doesn't much of modern Christianity cause people to marvel?
Lloyd-Jones argues that modern Christianity often fails to cause wonder because it has been reduced to mere morality, ethics, or social activism. He states: "If you think of Christianity as just some moral and ethical teaching... if Christianity is really nothing but a combination of temperance and pacifism and political agitation, well, again, it may interest certain people, but it won't cause anybody to marvel." True Christianity contains the supernatural and miraculous elements that produce wonder and amazement.
What is the core message of Christianity that should cause marvel?
The message that should cause marvel is that salvation comes not through human effort but through God's action. Lloyd-Jones explains: "This is Christianity: by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God... The Son of God came into the world and died my death and bore my punishment in his own body on the tree. And his righteousness is put to my account." This supernatural intervention, regeneration, and transformation of sinners should produce wonder and amazement that transcends mere religious observance.
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.