The Passage
John 7:40-52
40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people over him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.
45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” 47 The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? 48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”
Word Work
Capture the big idea. God’s Word communicates big ideas. Periodically ask: What’s the big idea in this sentence, paragraph, or chapter?
Word Thoughts:
Nicodemus, who earlier sought out Jesus in the darkness, now seems ready to become his defender. While not actually making declarations of Christ’s true status, he at least tries to slow down the plans of Christ’s enemies. Nicodemus is not yet ready fully to declare his loyalty to Christ, but there has been movement in his heart that will mature further in its dedication (cf. 19:39–42).
Though the change may come in stages, knowing Jesus ultimately changes everything about us. To borrow some phrases from an old hymn, the gospel “charms our fears” of rejection and “breaks the power” of our addiction to people’s approval. For we have, in Christ, the approval of God himself. He is our Father who sings over us (Zeph. 3:17). (1)
Word Reflection:
- What stood out?
- Why has no one ever spoke like Jesus?
- Why is it so. hard for people to believe in Jesus?
End in Prayer
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