Puzzled Over Jesus

 

 Jn 7:40-53

Divided

Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? ⁴² Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” ⁴³ Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. ⁴⁴ Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.

Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders

⁴⁵ Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”

⁴⁶ “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.

⁴⁷ “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. ⁴⁸ “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? ⁴⁹ No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”

⁵⁰ Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, ⁵¹ “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”

⁵² They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”

We look at Jesus through the eyes of Faith, so accepting him as the Son of God is not a problem; but for those who believed in ONE God, to hear someone proclaiming to be God is unacceptable. Thus the dilemma described in today's passage. Nicodemus, who had a private and enlightening conversation with Jesus calmly attempts to defend him and gets immediately dismissed.  Today's world also has come either to ignore or to reject Jesus. Where do I stand? Is my faith growing stronger, or am I drifting with the crowd? Let us remain faithful to our daily prayer and reflections in order to remain firm disciples. Jesus needs us more than ever.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, help me to remain strong in my faith in this world that ignores him more and more. Amen.