Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Meditation

Scripture:

Read John 7:32, 45-52.

TEXT: "They (the Pharisees) replied,
 'Are You from Galilee too? Search
and see that no prophet arises from

Galilee'" (John 7:52).

The Jewish leaders hear the crowds
wondering if Jesus might be the Messiah.
They decide it's time to act. So they send
the temple guards to arrest Him. But it isn't
Jesus' time yet. Impressed by the authority
of Jesus' words the guards return empty
handed. The Light will keep shining a
little while longer in the darkness.

Jesus is trying to break through the
darkness of the Jewish authorities through
their temple guard. If these men are willing
to listen to Jesus, perhaps the chief priests
and Pharisees will follow their example.
But the leaders harden their hearts and
accuse the guard of being deceived like
the crowds who must be under a curse.

If they won't listen to the guards, perhaps
they will listen to one of their own.
Nicodemus speaks up. He suggests they
give Jesus a fair hearing rather than blindly
condemning Him. Instead, they turn on him
with two exaggerations. First, they claim
none of the authorities believe in Him-
though at least Nicodemus does. Second,
they claim no prophet ever came from
Galilee, but they overlook Jonah who was
from Galilee. They attempt to close ranks
against Jesus through intimidation and lies.

We often plant our heels in the sand and
refuse to budge no matter what anyone
might say, no matter what the church might
say, no matter what God's Word might say.
But Jesus suffered and died for our
stubbornness just as He did for all our other
sins.

God continues to work through His Word and
Sacrament to break through our persistent
unbelief and move us to understand and
accept the truth.

PRAYER:

Lord, forgive my stubborn pride,
and move me to true, sincere faith. Amen.

Lutheran Ministries