Episode 194 — John 7:32–36 — Where Is He Going?

Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s fantastic  to be here with you today.
Today is July 20.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.

Slow Down
We carry so much around every day — financial worries, relational stress, anxiety about the future, and the pressure to succeed.
Now is the time to set those things down for a few minutes and enjoy some time with Jesus.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it.
As you inhale, whisper: “Jesus, thank You for going to the Father.” 
As you exhale, pray: “Come back soon.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read
When the Pharisees heard that the crowds were whispering such things, they and the leading priests sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus. But Jesus told them, “I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me. You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going.” 
The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. “Where is he planning to go?” they asked. “Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands? Maybe he will even teach the Greeks! What does he mean when he says, ‘You will search for me but not find me,’ and ‘You cannot go where I am going’?” 
(John 7:32–36, NLT)

Notice
What stands out to you in this passage?
Is there a phrase that surprises or challenges you?
Hold it in your heart for a moment.

Reread
Hear this exchange again — and notice the Pharisees' confusion and what Jesus is actually saying.

Meditate
Jesus speaks in riddles because He's inviting us into deeper trust.
The Pharisees are trying to arrest Jesus. They're threatened by Him. They want to silence Him. So Jesus says something that confuses them completely: "I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me. You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going."
The Pharisees are baffled. "Where is he planning to go? Is he leaving the country? Going to teach the Greeks?" They're trying to solve the riddle logically. But they're missing the point entirely.
Jesus isn't talking about geography. He's talking about His ascension. He's saying: I'm going back to My Father. You cannot follow Me there because you don't know the Father. You don't believe in Me. You're trying to arrest Me, but you cannot stop what is coming.
But there's something deeper here. Jesus is saying something that applies to all of us: "You will search for me but not find me." There will be a time when Jesus is no longer physically present. There will be a time when His followers have to follow Him by faith, not by sight.
The disciples will experience this. After the resurrection, Jesus will ascend to heaven. He will be gone. And yet He will be more present than ever—through His Spirit, through His Word, through His church.
Here's what's true for you: You cannot follow Jesus if you need to see Him. You cannot follow Jesus if you need to understand where He's going. Faith means trusting Him even when the destination is unclear. Faith means following Him into mystery.
The Pharisees wanted certainty. They wanted to know exactly where Jesus was going so they could stop Him. But Jesus doesn't offer certainty. He offers Himself. He offers a relationship. He offers trust.
Take a few moments to sit with these questions:
Where is Jesus leading me that I don't understand? Where am I resisting because I can't see the destination?
Am I willing to follow Jesus into mystery? Am I willing to trust Him when I don't know where He's going?
What would it look like to seek Jesus Himself, rather than seeking answers or certainty?

Respond
Jesus, I want to follow You even when I don't understand where You're going. Help me to trust You more than I need certainty. Help me to seek You, not just answers. And help me to remember that You are always with me, even when I cannot see You.

Exercise
The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits.
Habit: Following to the End
Today's habit is an act of trust: identify one area where Jesus is leading you but you don't understand where He's going.
It might be a relationship. It might be a career change. It might be a calling or a conviction. It might be a season of waiting or uncertainty. Write it down.
Then ask yourself: Why am I hesitating? Do I need to see the whole path before I can take the next step? Am I afraid of where this might lead?
Now, hold this uncertainty before Jesus and pray: "Jesus, I don't understand where You're leading me, but help me to follow You into this mystery. Help me to believe that You know where You're going, even if I don't. And help me to remember that You are the destination—not the place I end up, but the presence I experience along the way."
Following Jesus often means walking into mystery. It means saying yes to a calling without knowing how it will turn out. It means trusting a Person more than you trust your own understanding.

I have one ask of you before you go, could you please share this podcast with one person today? One person at a time will grow this podcast to help more people walk with Jesus.
That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard…share it and live it.
Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.