John 7:40-52
Daily S.O.A.P. Prompts
S – What verse stands out to me today?
O – What is God revealing about Jesus?
A – How should this change my life today?
P – What is my prayer in response?
Scripture
(John 7:40-52, NLT) 40 When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, “Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting.” 41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others said, “But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.” 43 So the crowd was divided about him. 44 Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him. 45 When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” 46 “We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded. 47 “Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked. 48 “Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? 49 This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!” 50 Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. 51 “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked. 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!”
Observation
There is continued confusion and division about who Jesus really is.
Interestingly, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, even though He was raised in Nazareth. This is a fact the crowd is unaware of. It is also a fact that the Pharisees are unaware of.
Jesus was not only born in Bethlehem, but He can also trace His lineage back to King David.
It is interesting that the guards did not arrest Jesus even though they were told to.
The Pharisees mocked the guards for not doing their job and potentially believing in Jesus.
The last time we saw Nicodemus was in his interaction with Jesus back in chapter 3. That conversation was about being born again. My perception of what Nicodemus is doing in this interaction is that he is defending Jesus by challenging the religious leaders’ process, because they are bypassing accepted protocol.
There is this truth of where Jesus was born under the surface while all these people are having a conversation about Galilee.
Application
Coming to conclusions without the facts can be careless.
Our need to be “right” can cloud what is real.
Rather than “mock” people, we should seek to understand.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the Messiah, who was prophesied long ago. You were born in Bethlehem and came from the line of David. I believe this to be true. Thank you for the Scripture that helps me to know this truth. Help me to see anything I don’t see. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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