So There Was Division

John 7:35-43

Then the Jews said among themselves, "Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What is this thing that He said, "You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come?"

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 

Therefore 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 division among the people because of Him. 


Not many verses but full of truth...that divides.

There still were a lot of questions about this Man who claimed to be the Son of God. Oh, the words He spoke. Words difficult to understand. Words which are still difficult for some to understand.

If Jesus stood before us in the flesh today knowing all we know about Him, with all the controversy and offense He stirs up, would there still be doubt, questions? There is a day coming where He will return. It is said that every knee will bow and tongue confess Him then. But this will be either voluntary or involuntary. I prefer to voluntarily bow. I bow before Him today...

Listen to this, Jesus cried out! He cried out then and He cries out now. The love He has for all mankind is enormous, greater than we can imagine. He cries out that people would hear and receive what He has to offer, eternal life...living water, bread of life, His Spirit...His Spirit...that will live in us when we give ourselves to Him. Bread and water that will no longer cause us to hunger or thirst because we have all we need in Him.

He cries out because He knows what happens if we do not...eternal death. He died that all could receive this eternal life if we first call on the name of the Lord to be saved, if we humble ourselves as He humbled Himself. The Son of God, God Himself, died for us. How much more humility do we need? And what does He ask of us? That we become new creatures, letting the old man go (die to selves) and let the new man emerge, through Him. A new spiritual birth. We become part of those through the ages who have received, who are separated unto Him, who receive His righteousness and the good things He has to offer.

Like above, some will believe and some will remain skeptical. We so desire to fawn over Hollywood actors, sports figures, politicians, activists, musicians, ourselves, yet reject Christ. It makes no sense. So there was division among the people because of Him. He still divides. He has so much more to offer.

...I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. (Ezekiel 36:24-26, 28-30)