Monday 31 March 2014

SATURDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-A
I Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20: I was like a trustful lamb being led to the slaughter-house.
Gospel: John 7:40-52: Would Christ be from Galilee?
The Great Claim of Jesus and Divided Opinions about Him, Jn 7:37-53
This is a picture of the great claim of Jesus and the divided opinions about him. It is a picture that should cause every person to search his/her own response to Jesus.
1.    The feast day (v.37)
2.    The claims of Jesus (v.37-39)
a.    He is the source of life
b.    He is the source of abundant life
c.     He is the source of the Holy Spirit
3.    The people’s divided response (v.40-44)
a.    Many: the prophet
b.    Others: the Christ
c.     Some: questioned his birthplace and misinterpreted Scripture. They were wrong on two accounts:
1.    Jonah came from Galilee
2.    God is able to raise up prophets from anywhere He chooses
d.    Some: would take and do away with him
4.    The rulers’ response (v.45-53)
a.    Wished to remove him
1)    The officers were sent to arrest Jesus
2)    The officers’ response: he is a great Teacher
b.    Claimed he was a deceiver: charged the people with being mistaken and accursed
c.     Rejected him
1)    Nicodemus spoke up for him
2)    They rejected Nicodemus’ questions, misinterpreting Scripture
d.    Went to their own homes: lived as always
Thought: God does not force any person to subject himself to His Son. Every person has the freedom to live as he/she wishes, either for God or for self. The leaders chose to live for self. (Jn 3:36; 8:24; 3:1-15)

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