SATURDAY, FOURTH WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-B

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)