The Gospel of John: a commentary & meditation 
Reaction to Jesus' words


Scripture:  John 7:40-53

40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This is really the prophet." 41 Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" 43 So there was a division among the people over him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. 45 The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" 46 The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!" 47 The Pharisees answered them, "Are you led astray, you also? 48 Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed." 50 Nicode'mus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" 52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee." 53 They went each to his own house.

Meditation:  Are you willing to give yourself totally to the Lord Jesus? No one could be indifferent for long when confronted with Jesus' message. It caused division for many who heard it.  Some believe he was a prophet, some the Messiah, and some believed he was neither.  The reaction of the officers was bewildered amazement.  They went to arrest him and returned empty-handed because they never heard anyone speak as he did.  The reaction of the chief priests and Pharisees was contempt.  The reaction of Nicodemus was one of timidity.  His heart told him to defend Jesus, but his head told him not to take the risk.  There often will come a time when we have to take a stand for Christ and for the gospel.  To stand for Jesus may provoke mockery or unpopularity.  It may even entail  hardship, sacrifice, or suffering.  Are you ready to stand for Jesus and to defend the cause of the gospel?

"Lord, your gospel brings joy and freedom. May I be loyal to you always, even though it produce a cross on earth, that I may share in your crown in eternity".


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(c) 2001 Don Schwager