The Gospel of John: John 7.37-52

Read and meditate on John 7.45-49.
The posse returns empty-handed, and the priests and Pharisees are furious. What was the problem? Why did they fail to bring Him in? What prevented them? His words.

⁴⁵Then came the officers unto the priests
and Pharisees, who said to them, “What’s this?
Why have you failed to bring Him in?” ⁴⁶They said,
“No man has ever spoken like this Man!”
⁴⁷The Pharisees replied to them, “So then,
you also are deceived? ⁴⁸Who has believed
in Him among the rulers, or received
Him from among the Pharisees? ⁴⁹But you
are like this stupid crowd. Like them, you too
are cursed, for you are ignorant, and do
not know the Law.”

- John 7.45-49

Reflect
1.  The Pharisees and priests were convinced that sheer brute force would silence Jesus. They were wrong. And anyone today who thinks this is wrong as well. Why?  Complete the following prayer: All power and authority in heaven and earth belong to You, Lord Jesus (Matt. 28.18). So I should…

2.  What Jesus said, as well as how He said it, exerted restraining power on those authorized to arrest Him. How could that be? Lord, Your Word is living and powerful (Heb. 4.12). I’ll know I believe this when…

3.  Notice where the Pharisees looked for their standard of truth (v. 48). Anyone who didn’t look to that same source was obviously wrong. They believed they were the keepers of truth, and anyone who didn’t agree with them was simply deceived. We face a similar situation today. Who are the deceived in our day? Lord, we have the truth in earthen vessels, in the midst of a world filled with lies and deceit (Ps. 12). Help us Your people today to…

4.  And as for those people who didn’t agree with them, well, they were simple accursed. When you can’t get people to toe the line you’ve drawn for them, berate or belittle them. That seems to have been the policy among the thought-police of Jesus’ day, as of our own. What does such an attitude indicate? Lord, we should not be surprised when people speak ill of us because of Jesus. Instead, we should…

5.  The “law” to which the religious leaders referred (v. 49) actually meant the interpretation of the Law of Moses according to them. For centuries, the rulers of Israel had regarded themselves as the keepers of truth and religion. The Romans backed them because it was politically expedient to do so. But Jesus didn’t care about what the rulers taught or what the Romans might do. Jesus is the truth, and truth must be seen and told, no matter what. How can we cultivate more of that attitude in ourselves and our fellow believers? Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“They perceived that this was not a mere man like themselves, but that this was he who gave water to the saints and that it was he who was announced by the prophet Isaiah. For he was truly the splendor of the light, and the Word of God, the river that flowed from the fountains and watered the paradise of old. But now, to all he gives the same gift of the Spirit and says, ‘If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes on me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water shall flow out of his belly. This was not for [a] man to say but for the living God, who truly promises life and gives the Holy Spirit.” Athanasius (295-373 AD)

The Word of Jesus is powerful. It will accomplish God’s purpose, and His purpose is to advance His Kingdom and glory. Why don’t Christians today trust this Word any more than we do?

Closing Prayer
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true andrighteous altogether.
More to be desired are theythan gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
Andin keeping them there isgreat reward.

Psalm 19.7-11

Psalm 19.7-11 (St. Christopher: Beneath the Cross of Jesus)
The Law of God is perfect, His testimony sure;
The simple man God’s wisdom learns, the soul receives its cure.
God’s Word is right, and His command is pure, and truth imparts;
He makes our eyes to understand; with joy He fills our hearts.

The fear of God is cleansing, forever shall it last.
His judgments all are true and just, by righteousness held fast.
O seek them more than gold most fine, than honey find them sweet;
Be warned by every word and line; be blest with joy complete.

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.