John 7:32-53

The Pharisees sent temple guards to seize Jesus because the crowds were talking as though they believed that Jesus was the Christ. Of course, this discussion between Jesus and the crowd was still going on. Jesus was still teaching about Himself (Who does that? Who is so proud as to teach about himself in a religious setting?).

 

Jesus continued to teach that He was from a different place than the rest of the people. He would return there in a little while to be with the "one who sent" him. The Jews began to think Jesus planned to go teach the Jews who had been scattered among the Greeks. Where else could He possibly be describing (That is, if you simply don't believe His claim to have come from God . . . If you don't believe that, where else could He possibly be describing?)? The text doesn't answer the question directly, but the answer is still plain: Jesus claims to come from God.

 

Ok, I find this interesting. A conversation is going on. The chief priests and Pharisees send the temple guards to seize Jesus. Conversation continues. Verse 37, new scene? "On the last and greatest day of the Feast." More conversation and teaching. Verse 45 – Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees. What? They've been sitting out there watching Jesus this whole time? And the chief priests and Pharisees have been sitting in the background waiting for the temple guards the whole time? I don't have time to look into this, but this is something interesting that may say something about their culture.

 

Here's a claim Jesus made on the last and greatest day of the Feast: "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Streams of living water will flow from within him.' John tells us that Jesus meant the Spirit here. So Jesus Himself claims that the Spirit will be within those who believe in Jesus.

 

Is it any wonder that the crowds were continually discussing whether Jesus was or was not the Christ? Is it any wonder that they were continually divided – some believing in Him and some not? That some wanted to seize Him?

 

The division extended all the way up the system. Not just the people. The temple guards came back without seizing Jesus. Why? "No one ever spoke the way this man does." Kind of a 'do we dare to arrest this man? What if he's telling the truth?' And when the Pharisees rebuke the temple guards, one of the Pharisees defends Jesus' right to a hearing.

 

Jesus brought division. Jesus' claims resulted in quarrels. People were unsure of what to believe. Some were for Him. Some were against Him. Some seem to have been undecided. But only those who aligned themselves with Jesus had their choice validated. It is the same today. People still oppose Jesus. They still hate the idea that people believe in Him. Some are still trying to make up their minds. But in the end, there are only two sides. For Jesus, or not for Jesus. Father, help me and all those I love to be completely for Jesus!