Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 5, 2025

Saturday of the 4th Week of Lent

Scripture Text: John 7:40-53

Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, "This is truly the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But others said, "The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David's family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So, a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

So, the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not bring him?" The guards answered, "Never before has anyone spoken like this man." So, the Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed."

Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, "Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" They answered and said to him, "You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee."

Then each went to his own house.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel immediately follows Jesus’ proclaiming “rivers of living water” for whoever comes to Him and believes. The reaction in the crowd was mixed; some believed whereas others did not. But the guards who witnessed the exchange did not arrest Jesus as they were sent to do because they themselves were moved in a way they did not understand. There was division within the Pharisees. While some wished his arrest and end, Nicodemus was struggling with who Jesus truly was.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Are there times in my life when I struggle with who Jesus is? Do I struggle with my response to Jesus’ presence and to Jesus’ teachings?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, I do believe. Help my unbelief.