February 13
Bible Reading: John 7:10-13
John 7:12-13, “And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, ‘He is a good man,’ others said, ‘No, he is leading the people astray.’ Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.”
John 7:40-43, “When they heard these words, some of the people said, ‘This really is the Prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Christ.’ But some said, ‘Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?’ So there was a division among the people over him.”
I recently received information about some upcoming hospice-related training that included this truism: “Patients’ religious beliefs are as varied as the ships on the sea. There are people that have deeply held, culturally significant convictions. Some don’t believe in anything. And there’s everything in between.”
As much as things change in this world, some things remain the same. Soon after Jesus’ birth, Simeon declared to Mary, “Behold this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35). The words which Simeon had spoken decades earlier were here being fulfilled!
The people debated amongst themselves, some saying he was a good man, others saying that he was leading people astray. Later in this chapter we read of how some were calling him “the Prophet” and others were saying that he was “the Christ” and sill others were doubting that (John 7:40-44). The debate revolved around the most important of matters, as there is no more important question than what Jesus once asked, “But who do you say that I am” (Matthew 16:15)?
Make note of the fact that the debate has not stopped. No person is more honored and loved by some, than Jesus. And, at the same time, Jesus is the one many folks curse when things go awry. He is simultaneously the most loved and most hated personage of all! Some might suppose that they can stay out of the debate and remain neutral, but Jesus hasn’t left us with that option. He’s coming again and every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess Him to be Lord (Philippians 2:9-11). The purpose of John’s gospel was to give evidence of the truth regarding Jesus, leading then to eternal life (John 20:30-31). On what side of the debate do you stand?
“Such is the corruption of human nature, that Christ is the cause of division among men, wherever He is preached.” — J C Ryle
SOFTLY AND TENDERLY
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling—
Calling for you and for me;
Patiently Jesus is waiting and watching—
Watching for you and for me!
Refrain:
Come home! come home!
Ye who are weary, come home!
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading—
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies—
Mercies for you and for me? [Refrain]
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing—
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, death-beds are coming—
Coming for you and for me! [Refrain]
Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised—
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon—
Pardon for you and for me! [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 