THE GROWING OPPOSITION (Jn 7:40-53)
Prayer:
O Jesus, never let me oppose you.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus preaching in the Temple.
Context:
Jesus has divided the crowd. Some think he is the Messiah and others say the Messiah must come from Bethlehem, the City of David. (John’s community knew that Jesus was born in Bethlehem). The question is about Jesus’ divine origin and this text unfolds the great debate.
Gospel text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)
Some who heard Jesus’ words said, “This is indeed the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” Some however, asked “Does the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the scripture say that the Christ is from the seed of David and from Bethlehem where David lived? So a dissension arose because of Jesus. Some would even have apprehended him but no one laid hands on him.
When the temple guards came in, the chief priests and the Pharisees asked them, “Why did you not bring him in?” They said, “Never has anyone spoken as he did”. The Pharisees asked, “Have you, also, been taken in?” Do you see any members of the Sanhedrin or of the Pharisees believing in him? Only this crowd which knows nothing about the law – and they are lost, anyway!”
Nicodemus, one of their own (who had spoken with Jesus) said, “Does our law judge a man without speaking with him and learning the facts?” They taunted him, “Are you also a Galilean? Search the scriptures. You will not find the prophet coming from Galilee.” Then, each went off to his own home.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
- Some grasp the truth. Jesus is the prophet and the Messiah.
- Others find difficulties, as if Jesus does not fulfill the prophecies.
- Still others plot to kill Jesus.
- The guards are honest. Jesus’ words touched their hearts and they would not arrest him.
- Their refusal stiffens the resistance of the temple leadership.
- Nicodemus also speaks up but cannot pierce their darkness.
- Because their hearts are divided, they separate and go home.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- O Jesus, you are the prophet, the messiah, all that I could ever hope for.
- Without you, my whole life is divided.
- O Jesus, give me an honest heart to make the right decisions.
- Break down all my walls of resistance so I can follow you.
- Send your messengers to instruct me and to show me the true path.
- Pierce my heart, Jesus. Plant your word.
- I do not want to walk away and return to a life without any purpose.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ Today, in the quiet of my heart, I will proclaim Jesus as my Messiah.
+ I will be aware of any hardness of my heart.
Thought for the day: (To recall your meditation.)
No one has ever spoken like this before.