When some from the crowd heard Jesus’ words, they said, “This really is the Prophet!” Other said, “This is the Messiah!” But some said, “Surely the Messiah doesn’t come from Galilee, does He? Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Messiah comes from David’s offspring and from the town of Bethlehem, where David once lived?” So a division occurred among the crowd because of Him. Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid hands on Him. Then the temple police came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why haven’t you brought Him?” The police answered, “No man ever spoke like this!” Then the Pharisees responded to them: “Are you fooled, too? Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd, which doesn’t know the law, is accursed!” Nicodemus – the one who came to Him previously, being one of them – said to them, “Our law doesn’t judge a man before it hears from him and knows what he’s doing, does it?” “You aren’t from Galilee too, are you?” they replied. “Investigate and you will see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” John 7:40-52
My words…
Praise
Dear Jesus, I often wonder how you were able to tread water for so long in the pool of ignorance. The Pharisees sputtered and choked on their own nescience all the while believing themselves to be the lifeguards. You listened while mortal men debated Your divinity. They belittled You for Your Galilean upbringing not knowing it was You who created that land from nothing at all. The crowd was moved by Your words but proclaimed You as a false Messiah since You did not come from the lineage of David, born in Bethlehem. Glub, glub, glub. But You continued to tread and teach. And we both know why.
Prayer for me
Lord, I want to be like the temple police. They were sent to do the bidding of the Pharisees, but then they heard You speak. Your words (the right words in the right order) and Your voice (a combination of tenderness and authority) drew a group of temple guards to disobey a direct order and return empty-handed. When I am on a path leading away from Your will, I pray for an ear to hear Your perfect words in Your tender voice guiding me back where I belong.
Forgive me
The Pharisees thought they had this whole Messiah thing figured out. I have thought that, too. What an ignorant fool I am. Forgive me when I listen to the conjectures of men and do not rely on the Holy Spirit to guide me toward the real truth.
Prayer for others
Lord, there are so many in the world who are ignorant of You. Either they have not yet heard about You, or they have been surrounded by those who speak falsely of You. My heart hurts for them. Send a bright light of knowledge to them, Lord! Save them from the pool of ignorance.
More praise
Thank You, Jesus, for You are all love, compassion, and mercy. You climbed out of the pool and threw all of us ignorant, prideful sinners a cross-shaped life preserver.
