God’s Renewing Word of Wisdom
Introduction
John 7:40-52: Division arises among the people as to whether or not Jesus is the Messiah. The guards who had been sent to arrest Jesus return to the religious leaders without him. Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees, reminds the religious authorities of the Law of Moses which requires that two witnesses were needed before a person could be condemned (Deuteronomy 19:15; Numbers 35:30).
Scripture Reading
Division among the People
40 Some of the people in the crowd heard him say this and said, “This man is really the Prophet!”
41 Others said, “He is the Messiah!”
But others said, “The Messiah will not come from Galilee! 42 The scripture says that the Messiah will be a descendant of King David and will be born in Bethlehem, the town where David lived.” 43 So there was a division in the crowd because of Jesus. 44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
The Unbelief of the Jewish Authorities
45 When the guards went back, the chief priests and Pharisees asked them, “Why did you not bring him?”
46 The guards answered, “Nobody has ever talked the way this man does!”
47 “Did he fool you, too?” the Pharisees asked them. 48 “Have you ever known one of the authorities or one Pharisee to believe in him? 49 This crowd does not know the Law of Moses, so they are under God’s curse!”
50 One of the Pharisees there was Nicodemus, the man who had gone to see Jesus before. He said to the others, 51 “According to our Law we cannot condemn people before hearing them and finding out what they have done.”
52 “Well,” they answered, “are you also from Galilee? Study the Scriptures and you will learn that no prophet ever comes
Today’s Key Verse: John 7:40b, 41a
Some of the people in the crowd . . .said, “This man is really the Prophet!” Others said, “He is the Messiah!”
Reflect
What caused division among the people listening to Jesus’s teachings (verses 40-44)? Why did some believe that Jesus was the Messiah and others did not? What did Nicodemus say to the religious authorities (verses 50, 51)? Within your community of faith, are there times when divisiveness occurs? If so, what are the causes? How are such matters resolved?
Pray
Lord Jesus, you are the Messiah come from God, and your words are life-giving. Keep my heart and mind open to your truth, and guide me each day as I journey in faith and seek to serve you. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
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Tomorrow’s Reading
John 8:1-20: The religious leaders seek to test Jesus.