Thoughts on the Gospel of John (46) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, Truly this is the prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him. Now some of them wanted to take him, but no-one laid hands on him.
John 7:40-44.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (46)
The wonderful sayings of Jesus and His friendly invitation to come to Him in faith left a deep impression on many people. However, instead of acting on the invitation they became involved in useless speculation. Some regarded Jesus as the prophet whom Moses had announced, others as the Christ, a widespread distinction at the time that was totally unfounded (cf. Deuteronomy 18:18; John 1:25), for Jesus is the promised prophet as well as the Messiah (Christ).

The arguments brought forward reveal amazing superficiality. Was it not possible for Christ to be of the seed of David, be born in Bethlehem and yet come from Galilee? Jesus was, of course, born of Mary in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth.

The real cause of such unnecessary arguing is the lack of faith. It is no different today. Take Nathanael as an example! At first he could see no connection between Nazareth in Galilee and the promised Christ. His reservations were soon dispelled on learning that Jesus was "without deceit" (cf. John 1:45-49).

Unbelief makes people blind. People are divided as to the Person of Christ, the centre of God's thoughts.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Genesis 47:1-12 · Psalms 33:12-22