In The Word
Read: John 7:25-52
25 So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is this man not the one whom they are seeking to kill? 26 And yet look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him. The rulers do not really know that this is the Christ, do they? 27 However, we know where this man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.” 28 Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and 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. 29 I do know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.” 30 So they were seeking to arrest Him; and yet no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. 31 But many of the crowd believed in Him; and they were saying, “When the Christ comes, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has done, will He?”
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering these things about Him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest Him. 33 Therefore Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am going to be with you, and then I am going to Him who sent Me. 34 You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” 35 The Jews then said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? He does not intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, does He? 36 What is this statement that He said, ‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?”
37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He said in reference to the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
People’s Division over Jesus
40 Some of the people therefore, after they heard these words, were saying, “This truly is the Prophet.” 41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” But others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not coming from Galilee, is He? 42 Has the Scripture not said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a dissension occurred in the crowd because of Him. 44 And some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?” 46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken in this way!” 47 The Pharisees then replied to them, “You have not been led astray too, have you? 48 Not one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? 49 But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed!” 50 Nicodemus (the one who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, 51 “Our Law does not judge the person unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” 52 They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee as well, are you? Examine the Scriptures, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Jesus taught that His life and ministry would separate people, and we see that noticeably in today’s reading. There are those who clearly saw Jesus as the promised Christ-Messiah, but there were also those who refused to believe. We even saw this division manifest in the people through debates, arguments, and criticism. Yet, Jesus was not moved off of His mission. He simply accepted those who believed in Him as He continued teaching. In addition, He showed his power through miracles, in hopes the others would also follow Him.
Times have not changed from when Jesus lived. Many people today see the power of Jesus’ salvation in Christians through changed lives, healings, blessings, etc., yet they refuse to believe in Jesus and follow Him. While this is sad to us who have committed our lives to Jesus, it must not discourage us or stop us from our mission to bring the gospel to everyone. We share the gospel not just with the testimony of our mouths, but also with the proof of God’s power and the promises that have become evident in our lives. Through these others can clearly see that Jesus is real.
Choosing Jesus sets us apart from others, which is what it is meant to do. By following Jesus Christ, you may have seen those close to you refuse to believe as you do, and even may not want to associate with you. Do not be discouraged, but continue on your mission to bring Jesus to everyone with the hope that they will eventually believe.