*John 7:32-53
Faced with arrest, Jesus announces his coming departure and offers living water to those who believe in him, creating further division among the people.
- Opposition from the Religious Leaders:
- The Pharisees and chief priests send officers to arrest Jesus, but they hesitate due to the powerful impact of Jesus’ words.
- Jesus addresses the crowd, hinting at his impending departure to a place where they cannot follow.
- Confusion among the People:
- On the last day of the feast, Jesus stands and cries out, inviting those who thirst to come to him and drink.
- He refers to the Holy Spirit, which believers would receive once he was glorified, sparking confusion and debate among the crowd.
- Divided Opinions about Jesus:
- Some in the crowd recognize Jesus as the Prophet or the Messiah, citing his miraculous signs and teachings.
- Others express doubt, questioning whether the Messiah could come from Galilee.
- The Pharisees’ Dismissal:
- The officers return to the chief priests and Pharisees without arresting Jesus, explaining that they were captivated by his words.
- The Pharisees deride the officers for being deceived and rebuke the crowd for their supposed ignorance of the law.
- Nicodemus Speaks Up:
- Nicodemus, a Pharisee and secret follower of Jesus, attempts to defend Jesus according to the law, prompting mockery from his colleagues.
- The Pharisees dismiss Nicodemus, asserting that no prophet arises from Galilee.
John 7:32-53 teaches us that people will have different reactions to Jesus, but the most important thing is how we respond to Him. Some rejected Him, others were confused, but a few truly listened. This reminds us to seek Jesus with an open heart and not let fear, doubt, or pressure from others keep us from the truth. We can apply this by taking time to learn about Jesus for ourselves, trusting in His words, and standing firm in our faith, even when others around us may not understand or agree.
John 7:32-53 (WEB)
7:32 The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.33 Then Jesus said, “I will be with you a little while longer, then I go to him who sent me. 34 You will seek me and won’t find me. You can’t come where I am.”35 The Jews therefore said among themselves, “Where will this man go that we won’t find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36 What is this word that he said, ‘You will seek me, and won’t find me;’ and ‘Where I am, you can’t come’?”37 Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! 38 He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified.40 Many of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, “This is truly the prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “What, does the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hasn’t the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the offspring of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a division arose in the multitude because of him. 44 Some of them would have arrested him, but no one laid hands on him. 45 The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said to them, “Why didn’t you bring him?”46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!”47 The Pharisees therefore answered them, “You aren’t also led astray, are you? 48 Have any of the rulers or any of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this multitude that doesn’t know the law is cursed.”50 Nicodemus (he who came to him by night, being one of them) said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?”52 They answered him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and see that no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”53 Everyone went to his own house,