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John 7 English Standard Version (ESV)

³¹ Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”

Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus

³² The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. ³³ Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. ³⁴ You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” ³⁵ The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? ³⁶ What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?”

Rivers of Living Water

³⁷ On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” ³⁹ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Division Among the People

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.”

REFLECTION

• Read over this passage a few times slowly. If time allows, read the whole chapter.
• Jesus’ teaching had its impact. While many remained uncertain, some “put their faith in Him”. (v31) Afraid that the Jesus movement would gain momentum, the members of the Sanhedrin sent temple guards to arrest Him. Yet the temple guards were impressed with Jesus’ teaching, they didn’t arrest Jesus (v45).
• Nicodemus, the Pharisee that visited Jesus at night (v50, ch 3) had apparently became a believer, despite the overwhelming hatred of Jesus from his fellowmen. He risked his reputation and defended for Jesus. He attacked them for breaking their own rules and exposed their hypocritical motive.
• How do you respond when you hear people around you (relatives or strangers) criticizing or blaspheming Jesus?
• Sit quietly before the Lord. Try to imagine what Jesus encountered, vicious attack and murder threat. What feelings are stirred up in you? Talk to Jesus and listen to His response.

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, today’s scripture reveal to me that although You are the Son of God and have accomplished the great work of redemption for us, You are still rejected, slandered, and attacked by the world. Today, there are countless people in the world who still cannot tolerate You like the Pharisees back then. These people are all around me, some are even my relatives and friends. They are full of puzzlement, ridicule, and contempt for you, and they will apply the same attitude to us Christians who follow You. Lord, those who maliciously attack You are even in Your church. They are hypocrites and do all kinds of deceitful things. They profess You as Lord with their lips, but their hearts are full of unbelief and rebellion. Lord, please forgive them, please also let me see my own weakness and rebellion, imitate You more meekly and humbly, walk in the light every day, and use my true and abundant life to stand for You in front of those who attack You. Be a good testimony and give you all the glory. Amen!

HYMN

Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus – youtu.be/xUII9PabHPE