Jesus Really is the Christ (Savior)

Scripture Text: John 7:40-44

Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee?

John 7:41

Jesus' preaching caused division and bickering among the people. Some of the crowds have seen Jesus' miracles, heard His words and concluded that He speaks the truth (John 7:31). While others thought that this makes Jesus the prophet predicted by Moses (John 7:40), to others, it means that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior, promised by God.

However, others did not believe that Jesus is from God, among them are His own brothers (John 7:5), as well as the religious leaders of Jerusalem (John 7:1; 7:48), and the large number of people present in Jerusalem. One of the key arguments being raised against Jesus was the involvement of His family history. For His brothers, it is possible that they fell into the common expression of "familiarity breeds contempt," meaning, their daily contact with Jesus made it hard for them to see Him with objectively. On the other hand, Jewish tradition seemed to suggest that the Messiah would be totally anonymous (John 7:27)—those who knew Jesus, but not in the Scriptures, think that this disqualifies Him to be the Messiah. Others seem to have a better understanding of what the Scripture says about Messiah, but don’t have a good grasp of where Jesus is from. Here, and in verse 42, the people pointed out that the Messiah was supposed to come from Bethlehem. In their minds, Jesus is "from" Nazareth. However, as it turns out, Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:15–17), making Him the fulfilment of that prophecy (Micah 5:2).

Reflect

1. Do you believe now that Jesus is the Christ (Savior)?

2. Do you have any struggles in making yourself believe Him?

3. Will you make Him known to the world so that they can also acknowledge Him as the Christ (Savior)?

Remember

Jesus is really the Christ, the Savior. That is why we must make up our minds of who He is, knowing that whatever we decide, it will have eternal consequences.

Read

Matthew 16:14-16; John 4:25; Micah 5:2; Luke 2:11; Jeremiah 23:5

Pray

Dear God, You are truly loving and merciful. Thank You for allowing Your Son Jesus to die on the cross on my behalf and be my Savior. Lord, I pray for the strength and courage to always follow Your ways. This I pray in Jesus, my Lord's Name. Amen.