³² The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.

³⁷ On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”³⁹ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

⁴⁰ When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” ⁴¹ Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? ⁴² Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” ⁴³ So there wasa division among the people over him. ⁴⁴ Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

⁴⁵ The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?”⁴⁶ The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” ⁴⁷ The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? ⁴⁸ Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? ⁴⁹ But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” ⁵⁰ Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them,⁵¹ “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” ⁵² They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

Meditation:

1. The temple guards impressed with Jesus’ teaching didn’t arrest Jesus.  Nicodemus, the Pharisee that visited Jesus at night (ch 3) had apparently became a believer, despite the overwhelming hatred of Jesus from his fellowmen.  He risked his reputation and defended for Jesus.  He attacked them for breaking their own rules and exposed their hypocritical motive.
2. How do you respond when you hear people around you (relatives or strangers) criticizing or blaspheming Jesus?
3. Sit quietly before the Lord.  Try to imagine what Jesus encountered, vicious attack and murder threat.  What feelings are stirred up in you?  Talk to Jesus and listen to His response.

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Bring pencil and paper as your family gathers for a time of discussion about how people respond to Jesus.  Based on experiences and observations, encourage family members to give examples of ways people either accept or reject Christ.  Make a list of responses.  What role can we as Christians play to help them have a better understanding of Jesus?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:11-14

¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.  ¹² Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.  ¹³ On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.  ¹⁴ The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.