24th March 2012 John 7:40-52

On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.”  Others said, “He is the Messiah.”  Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.  Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.  “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted.  “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”  Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”

And so I find myself guilty of the same sort of assumptions and prejudices.  I try to rise above them but often find myself assuming that it is those from certain places and skills that will be those who make a difference.  And I include myself in that.  Yet Jesus shows us that it can be the most humble and basic people who God uses.

Jesus open our eyes to the truth of your words and the potential in all, send away our assumptions and help us see clearly.  Amen