"Defensive Pharisees"

August 29, 2013

“Defensive Pharisees”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:

John 7:40-52

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Jesus caused division.

Some division was “innocent”…
  • is He a prophet?
  • is He the Christ?
  • but He is from Galilee...is not the Christ to come from Bethlehem?
  • is not the Christ a descendent of David?

Some division malicious…
  • some wanted to seize Him

But no one laid hands on Him.
It was not the time.

We saw yesterday that the Pharisees had sent to have Jesus seized/arrested.
The officers sent for the duty returned, empty handed.
The chief priests and Pharisees wanted to know why?

I love this answer.

The officers said, “never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.”

Can you imagine the reaction of the Pharisees?
The Pharisees were the professional teachers/speakers/interpreters of the Law.
And to have a group of officers state that they had never heard anyone speak like Jesus… It was an unintended word of condemnation of the Pharisees.

The Pharisees response was quick, defensive and full of accusation.

“Have you been led astray”?

“None of the rulers or Pharisees have believed in HIm, has he”?
Therefore, why are you even considering His words?

“This crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.”
The Pharisees were the ones who were to teach the Law, to impart the Law to the people.
The true nature of their heart was revealed.
How readily they spoke cursing over the people of the Lord!

Nicodemus sought to bring a corrective word to his fellow Pharisees.
They attacked him.
No prophet comes from Galilee!

This is the heart of the Religionists.
Defensive of denominational posture.
Defensive of power and esteem.
Unconcerned for the people.
Blind to the Truth.

Be not a Religionists.