Hello, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray With Me”.
Does Jesus confuse you sometimes? In John 7, he confused many people.
Let’s start in Galilee, where his brothers said, “Hey, you’re getting famous. Why don’t you go to the feast in Jerusalem and promote yourself?” (v 3).
Jesus said, “No thanks. It’s not the right time for me to go. But anytime is good for you” (v 6). A confusing answer–what kind of “right time” was Jesus talking about?
In Jerusalem, some said of Jesus, “He’s a good man”. Others were not so kind: “Don’t believe it. He’s a con artist” (v 12-13). More confusion.
After a while Jesus changed his mind, went to Jerusalem, and taught at the temple. People said, “This man didn’t go to school. Where did he get his learning?” (v 15).
Jesus said, “My teaching comes from God. But you people ignore Moses’ law and God’s law. That’s why you want to kill me” (v 16-19).
The people said, “You’re insane. No one wants to kill you. Are you demon possessed?” (v 21-22).
But someone clued into who Jesus was. “Hey! This is that guy the Pharisees want to kill. But they’re not doing it. Maybe they’ve decided he’s the Messiah” (v 25-26). Others said, “Impossible! He’s just a peasant from Galilee. He can’t be the Messiah” (v 27).
Jesus responded, “Why are you fixated on my history in Galilee? You know I come from God” (v 28-29). And he added, “I’ll soon go where you can’t find me” (v 33-34).
More confusion. Where did Jesus come from? And where did he plan to go? (v 35-37).
Later Jesus said, “If anyone is thirsty, come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me . . . rivers of living water will flow from within them” (v 37-38).
More confusion. Some said, “He speaks like a prophet, or even the Messiah.” Others said, “No way. The Messiah comes from Bethlehem. This guy’s from Galilee” (v 40-44).
Temple guards sent to arrest Jesus reported back to the priests and Pharisees. Without bringing Jesus. “Why aren’t you doing your job?” the leaders demanded (v 45).
“Nobody ever spoke like this man,” they said (v 46).
“What?” They replied, “Has this dude deceived you too? Only the ignorant crowds believe him” (v 47).
Nicodemus, another leader, tried to dilute their contempt. “Chill out! Does our law permit us to condemn a man before we hear his defense?” (v 51).
They replied, “Don’t talk like a backwater Galilean, Nicodemus. There’s no way a prophet can come from Galilee” (v 52).
Let’s pray.
O Jesus, amid the noise and confusion of Jerusalem, I hear your invitation, “If anyone is thirsty, come to me and drink” (v 37).
I live in the confusion of late modernity. Evolution and astrophysics point to an older and larger universe than we can imagine. But they do not lead us to you.
Science has sequenced our DNA and given warmongers bigger and better bombs, but we still do not know the way to peace.
Psychology has documented the mental health impacts of dysfunction and trauma, but struggles to heal the mind.
The confusion of this world leaves me thirsty for you, Jesus. The conflicts in my soul make me long for healing. The turmoil of my mind makes me wish for clarity.
O Jesus, be my way, my truth, my life. Give your living water to my thirsty soul.
Amen
I’m Daniel, on the channel “Pray with Me”.
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