God's Word for Me Today
Thursday, January 3, 2002
Unwrapping a Christ-Centered Christmas!
A note about online study
Introduction to God's Word for Me Today
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the blessings You freely offer me every day—the blessings of life, of faith, of loved ones, and the meeting of my material needs. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, who is surely the Messiah and Deliverer of the world, sent by You for the salvation of us all. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, release Your Spirit in me that all that I am and all that I do may bring You glory and honor this day. Bring someone across my path today with whom I may share the Good News of Jesus. Thank You for Your faithfulness, goodness and love. May I reflect each of Your attributes with those around me, that all may receive the light of Your glory, through me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen
God's Word for Me Today: John 7:40-52
40 When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, "This man surely is the Prophet." 41 Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others said, "But he can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born." 43 So the crowd was divided in their opinion about him. 44 And some wanted him arrested, but no one touched him.
45 The Temple guards who had been sent to arrest him returned to the leading priests and Pharisees. "Why didn't you bring him in?" they demanded. 46 "We have never heard anyone talk like this!" the guards responded. 47 "Have you been led astray, too?" the Pharisees mocked. 48 "Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? 49 These ignorant crowds do, but what do they know about it? A curse on them anyway!" 50 Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, then spoke up. 51 "Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?" he asked. 52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself – no prophet ever comes from Galilee!"
Questions for Reflection
Why has the world always been so divided over who Jesus is?
What is the most significant dispute in which you have ever engaged? How did you resolve it?
Questions for Exploration
Why did some in the crowd think that Jesus could NOT be the Messiah? (7:40-44)
Why didn’t the Temple guards arrest Jesus, even though that’s what they had been sent to do? (7:45-47)
What did the Pharisees give as their justification for Jesus not being considered to be the Messiah? (7:48-52)
Questions for Understanding
What is the main point of this passage?
What was Nicodemus’ purpose in raising the question about what the Jewish leaders wanted to do?
Questions for Application
What is one practical action you will carry out today as a result of having read today’s Scripture?
What can you do when people say that Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah, or God’s Son, or whatever term they use, because of one reason or another? In other words, what “proof” can you offer of Jesus’ claims the He is the Son of God.
Don't Confuse Me With The Facts!
The Pharisees had made up their minds about Jesus, and the facts of the situation didn’t make any difference. Nicodemus alone, of all the Pharisees sought to be a voice of reason. He wondered whether it was legal to convict a person without a hearing? Rather than see the reasonable nature of Nicodemus’ request the rest of the Pharisees simply asked, “What? Are you from Galilee, too?” The entire weight of the Pharisees’ case against Jesus was based on this fact: He didn’t fit the criteria they had developed for who could be the Messiah. According to today’s Scripture they were concerned because Jesus wasn’t born in Bethlehem (which He was, if they had taken the time to discern the facts!). More than that, Jesus didn’t live up to their expectations for the Messiah’s being “one of them.” Jesus was too common, too “blue collar” to fit their understanding of the Messiah as a great and mighty deliverer who would restore Israel to her former prominence. Jesus impressed the crowds. He even impressed the temple guards. When they went to arrest Him, they were amazed by His effectiveness in teaching, and the persuasive power of His words. The Pharisees mocked the guards and the crowds, “What do you know? You’re just ignorant commoners. Does a single one of us (the elite, the powerful, the knowledgeable) acknowledge that He’s the Messiah?
The Pharisees’ attitude is still prevalent among us. Sometimes folks assume that because they have gone to college, and then received a masters or a doctorate that they know more than everyone else. They pile up fact after fact, but they don’t want to be confused by the reality that Jesus is who He claims to be—the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Having been to school for decades (literally!), I do not scoff at the importance of gaining knowledge, but as King Solomon reminded us in Proverbs, along with knowledge we also need to gain wisdom or understanding—the ability to use the knowledge for the benefit of ourselves and others. The Pharisees knew a lot, but they weren’t very wise. May our knowledge of Jesus lead us to understand that He alone is able to give us a new life now and forever!
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