John 7:40-46 - Jesus Brings Division

John 7:40-46

40 Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, "This certainly is the Prophet." 41 Others were saying, "This is the Christ." Still others were saying, "Surely, the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He?" 42 "Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" 43 So there arose a division in the multitude because of Him. 44 And some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid hands on Him. 

45 The Officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, "Why did you not bring Him?" 46 The officers answered, "Never did a man speak the way this man speaks." 

Message: Jesus Brings Division

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: As I read and study scripture, it is always important to consider the time period and what people around Jesus were experiencing at this time as He walked and talked on this earth. This was 2,000 years ago. This text helps me to think about this. As Jesus spoke in the previous verse about being the living water, I learn today from verse 40 that these words and other things he was doing made people have different opinions about who Jesus is and was and why He had come. He was being clear that He had been sent by Father God to do His will, so what is that will. 

The first century Jews were hoping for freedom from Roman occupation. Back in the days of Moses, the Jews were looking for freedom from Egypt. Deuteronomy 18:15 reminds us that the Jews were looking for someone like Moses. And seeing that Jesus talks of water and sees miracles happening (like feeding the 5,000 recorded in Chapter 6.

But others had a different idea, thinking that Jesus was the Messiah (Note Deut. 18:15 the prophet and Messiah are thought to be the same person). But those listening, many did not remember that Jesus had come from Bethlehem thinking that He only came from Galilee. 

Either way, the words of Jesus were disturbing people and making them think and wonder. And even the officers, sent by the Pharisees, did not seize him as they recognized Jesus as being very different from anyone else (7:45-46). 

Summary: Jesus's coming is causing division among people following and observing him over who He really is: only a prophet or also a Messiah. And officers are not seizing Him. 

Promise: When confronted by Jesus, no one is neutral. Some will believe and some will refuse. We must have Him as He is and not make Him someone else. 

Prayer: You are the Christ Jesus and You came to save me and those that are lost without You. You are the source of all that is good. You are living water and all the good in this world is from You and through You. As you have changed me and awakened me, please awaken others. Awaken more and let the numbers grow. Light a fire in me and give me a joy that is contagious. 

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