The Gospel of John: John 7.37-52

Read and meditate on John 7.40-43.
Even more now, the people are divided about Jesus, some saying one thing, some saying another, still others something else, and some looking to silence Him altogether. So what else is new?

⁴⁰Then many from the crowd heard this, and cried,
“For sure, this is the Prophet!” Others said,
“This is the Christ!” ⁴¹But some replied instead,
“Will Christ come out of Galilee? ⁴²Do not
the Scriptures say the seed of David ought
to come from Bethlehem, where David was?”
⁴³Division rose among them then, because
of Him.

- John 7.40-43

Reflect
1.  Those people who regarded Jesus as “the Prophet” were probably thinking of Deuteronomy 18.15-19. What did God say about this Prophet there? Were the people who thought this about Jesus correct? Explain. Complete this prayer: Lord, You certainly are the great Prophet, Whose Word I…

2.  Others said Jesus was “the Christ,” that is, the Anointed of the Lord. In the Old Testament, priests and kings were anointed for their office by a special ceremony involving the pouring out or application of oil. Jesus identified Himself as the Anointed One of Isaiah 61.1, 2 (cf. Lk. 4.16-21). What did those people understand about Jesus, who regarded Him as “the Christ”? Were they correct? Explain. You are the Christ, Lord Jesus, anointed of God to…

3.  Still other people could not bring themselves to agree with these two camps, because they understood from Scripture that the Christ was the “seed of David.” What did that ascription represent? Were these people correct? You are the Son of David, Lord Jesus, King of all Your people, my King, to lead me to…

4.  John doesn’t report Jesus saying any more than what we have in verses 37 and 38. Apparently, for the time at least, He was content for this division to continue. Why? Lord, people today are divided about You as well, but You have sent me to be Your witness so that…

5. You can feel the temperature rising around Jesus in these verses. Things are heating up, and they will become hotter still. Should we expect anything different? Explain. Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote for questions 1-4.

Summary
“They were so astonished at his divine confidence, seeing that his words could no longer be gauged in human terms, that they revert to their recollection of the law as having already declared beforehand concerning the Christ and saying that a prophet would be raised up similar to the all-wise Moses who should interpret to Israel the words from God. … From the quality therefore of his words and the superiority of his sayings they say that he is already shown to be the one who was heralded in the law.… They thought that the Christ would be someone other than the prophet of the law.… Whereas two were supposed to come, I mean, the prophet of the law, that is, Christ, and Elijah—they were looking for three, imagining that the prophet was other than Jesus.… But we must observe that they were already fully prepared to believe. They are persuaded by the Savior’s words to marvel at him. And yet, without guidance from their rulers, they are borne along a many-branching path of ideas. Some call him and now believe him to be the Christ, others that he is the prophet.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

Jesus has unsettled the whole nation, and that doesn’t bother Him one bit. Sometimes the only way to get folks to settle on to a new foundation for life is to challenge, upset, or undermine their existing one. But as we do this, we need to keep Jesus in the forefront, as the focal point of the new foundation we proclaim. Why?

Closing Prayer
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORDwith me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34.1-8

Psalm 34.1-9, 3 (Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
I will bless the Lord at all times; I shall praise Him evermore!
My soul makes its boast in Jesus – Him we gladly all adore!
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I sought the Lord, He answered, and from fear delivered me.
Those who look to Him are radiant; shamed their face shall never be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I cried to God, He heard me, and from trouble rescued me.
‘Round their camp His angel lingers that they may delivered be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

Taste and see how good is Jesus; blessed are all who in Him hide.
None shall lack for any blessing who in Christ will e’er confide.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

T. M. Moore

Jesus is the Centerpiece of all Scripture, as He Himself explained (Jn. 5.39). But how can we learn to see Him there? How do the primary themes of Scripture revolve around Jesus? Our online course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, shows you how best to get at, get into, and get with the Word of God, so that you can grow more consistently in the Lord. It’s free, and you can study at your own pace. For more information or to register, click here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.