The Jesus Who Divides – John’s Gospel chapter 7, verses 40-52
A surprising response to good news
A division among the crowd
40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, ‘Surely this man is the Prophet.’ 41 Others said, ‘He is the Messiah.’ Still others asked, ‘How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?’ 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
John 7:40-44
- Some say Jesus is the great Prophet.
- Some say He is the Christ, the Messiah.
- Some say “He’s not from around here!” (Sneering at anyone from Galillee to the north.)
Division within the religious institution
45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why didn’t you bring him in?’ 46 ‘No one ever spoke the way this man does,’ the guards replied. 47 ‘You mean he has deceived you also?’ the Pharisees retorted. 48 ‘Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law – there is a curse on them.’
John 7:45-49
The temple guards go to arrest Jesus and return amazed and empty handed. He has an authority that none of the teachers of the law had.
Why reject? Often to avoid division, to avoid rejection by others, to avoid being ostracised.
Division among the leaders (Pharisees)
50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, 51 ‘Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?’ 52 They replied, ‘Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.’
John 7:50-52
Nicodemus, one of the 70 in the Council of Rulers, defends Jesus. 1 out of 70 speaks up. The others insult and revile Nicodemus. “You are just as ignorant as the mob!”
Why is there division?
‘Division is alien to the Christian faith’, some say, but Jesus says it will come. We must not incite division, but we must stick to the truth, and accept division when it comes. “How are we to live as faithful Christians in a world that by nature is hostile against God?”
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
2 Timothy 3:12
1 Peter 4:14
“if your are insulted for Christ’s sake you are blessed.”
