DIVISION OF JESUS
JOHN 7:37-48 NKJV
JOHN 7:37-48 NKJV
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those [a]believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.”But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” 43 So there was a division among the people because of Him.
It helps us to understand that Jesus had to face opposition regarding who He was and what He came to do.
The reason it helps us is because it opens our eyes to the reality that not everyone will see and believe. Not everyone believes Jesus is good. Some have zero regard for who He is and what He offers mankind.
Jesus stood up in a public place where many people were and cried out. He was most likely in or around the temple on the last day of the feast.
He cried out an invitation to receive living water. He cried out an invitation to not just have spiritual thirst quenched but to have rivers of living water flow out of the one who would believe on Him.
The truth that the Holy Spirit can come to live in and empower a person is amazing. But, like many spiritual things, it's not obvious. The Holy Spirit does not come to dominate but to lead, strengthen and reveal.
But what an exciting offer. Yet there was still division. Some heard and went, wow, this is the Prophet. Others said, even better, this is Christ the Messiah. These two groups recognized God working in and through Jesus.
But others were hung up on what they could see naturally. Jesus was known to have been from Galilee. And no prophet was to have come from Galilee. Yet He was born in Bethlehem. However, very few people knew of His birth. And so, once again, there was a division over Jesus.
APPLICATION:
There was then, and there is now a division over Jesus. What we can learn from this passage is the importance of believing with our hearts instead of trying to figure Jesus out with our heads.
To some people, Jesus was a myth. To others, a religious teacher. But to those of us who believe with our hearts, He is Lord, Savior, Shepherd, and Healer. He is the way, the truth, and the life. And He is the only way to our Father God.
Don't try to figure everything out in your head. Follow your heart and believe He is still the same awesome, loving miracle worker now that He was 2000 years ago.
PRAYER:
Thank You Jesus! I am not divided when it comes to You. I believe You are everything Your word says You are!