FRIDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Wisdom 2:1. 12-22: Let us condemn him to a shameful death.

Gospel: John 7: 1-2. 10. 25-30: They would have arrested him, but his time had not yet come.

The response of the People:

A Charge of Insanity, Yet Still Questioning, 7:20-31.

The third reaction or response to Jesus came from all the people- the pilgrims and the local residents of Jerusalem. The charges against Jesus ranged all the way from being demon-possessed to being a mere man. Jesus’ answer to all charges against Him was inclusive.

1.     The pilgrim’s response (v.20-24)

a.     Their response: Jesus was possessed by a demon, that is, insane

b.    Jesus’ reply: Doing good proves a man

1)    Circumcision is doing good: meets a religious and a ceremonial need of man

2)    Healing doing good: meets a personal and a bodily need of a man

3)    A principle: judge not superficially, think and consider

2.     The local residents’ response (25-31)

a.     Their response was questioning: Is this not He?

1)    Their questioning: Could He be the Messiah?

2)    Their conclusion: Unbelief-they knew him earthly origin

b.    Jesus’ reply: A pivotal claim

1)    He is a man

2)    He also came from God

3)    He knows God: Is from God-God sent Him- Consubstantial with God the Father (we profess in the Creed)

c.      The local people’s reaction

1)    Some disbelieve and reject

2)    Some believe

Thought: A person’s choice, his decision, must be made for Jesus Christ and not for religion and religious leaders. Christ is the Truth, not religion and its leaders. Religion and religious leaders are to follow Christ just as all other people are to follow Christ. Christ is the Lord and Master and the Messiah, not religion and its leaders.