Ponder: Fending off personal attacks
Scripture: “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee” (John 7:52, NKJV).
The Jewish high court was fed up with Jesus. They wrongly saw Him as a false prophet, a deceiver, and a dangerous challenge to their authority. Therefore, “the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him” (John 7:32). When the officers returned without Him, the Court demanded an explanation: “‘Why have you not brought Him?’ They answered, ‘No man ever spoke like this Man!’” (7:45-46). They were so awed with Jesus that they couldn’t bear to arrest Him!
The Court’s ugly response shows the bankruptcy of their complaints against Jesus. Rather make a logical case, they resorted to personal attacks against Him and anyone sympathetic to Him. With bitter sarcasm they asked, “Are you also deceived?” According to them Jesus was a deceiver and anyone favorable to Him was a simpleton.
Their attacks continued against the common people who believed in Jesus: “This crowd that doesn’t know the Law is accursed!” (8:49). Accursed = fit only for total destruction.
Nicodemus, himself a member of the Court, protested their rash words. “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” (8:51). Nicodemus knew the Law of Moses required hearing both sides of a dispute and then rendering a fair verdict (Deut. 1:16-17). But he paid for his protest with more personal attacks: “Are you also from Galilee?” What a transparent appeal to prejudice! Prophets just don’t come from Galilee – except they do! Remember Jonah from Gath-Hepher? That’s in Galilee!
When you teach the truth and people attack you personally rather than refuting what you said, mark it down: they have no case. Absorb the slings and arrows and keep doing what you know is right!
Hymn: “Ready To Suffer”
Prayer: Father, help us to rejoice when we are attacked for Jesus. In His name, Amen.
Joe Slater
