The Boldness of Belief

The Apostle John records for us this exchange in the last day of the

Feast of Booths to show us not only division and unbelief, but also the boldness of belief.

In our world today, debates over identity, authority, and truth continue to divide.

Just as in Jesus' time, opinions about him were sharply divided.

In this section, we see a snapshot of this division. Some boldly proclaiming, this is the

Christ, while others, including religious leaders, respond with skepticism, hostility, and even malice.

This passage reminds us that the human responses to Jesus often defy reason.

Despite his unmatched wisdom, his grace, his power, many resisted him.

They were driven by their pride, maybe personal biases, or fear of losing societal standing.

Others spoke highly of him for a moment, but then quickly retreated into old patterns, unwilling to let his words transform them.

And isn't it striking how people are swayed by outward appearances and shallow motives in matters of eternal significance?

Some choose to reject Jesus simply to fit in with the crowd. Yet, God's wisdom frequently defies human expectations, raising up the overlooked and the unlikely to carry his truth forward.

Even those seen as weak or timid, like Nicodemus, who dared to defend

Jesus, are sometimes used by God to confound the plans of his enemies.

As we examine this text, consider, how do we respond to Jesus' identity today?

Are we bold in belief, like those who declared him to be the Christ? Or are we held back by fear, doubt, or the pressure of cultural conformity?

The division over Jesus' claims in this passage are not just a historical moment, it's a challenge that each of us must wrestle with in our own lives.

In our society, the identity of Jesus is a topic that still sparks division and debate.

Some dismiss him altogether, while others shape a version of Jesus that aligns with their personal preferences, emphasizing comfort over conviction and popularity over truth.

This trend is especially evident in movements like the seeker -sensitive church or the emergent church culture, so popular all around the world, certainly here in Laurel and Billings, where the gospel is often stripped of its power and doctrinal integrity to appeal to cultural sensibilities.

John 7 brings us into a moment of sharp division over Jesus' claims.

Some in the crowd boldly declare him to be the Christ, while others deny him outright, often using scripture inaccurately to support their disbelief.

Even among the religious leaders, we see a mix of hostility and hesitation. The temple guards tasked with arresting

Jesus were so struck by his words that they returned empty -handed. And then there was

Nicodemus, stepping forward with a courageous defense of Jesus, despite the scorn of his peers.

This passage challenges us to consider the cost of true belief in a culture that often rejects or reshapes

Jesus to fit its own image. It reminds us that the Holy Spirit brings clarity and conviction, enabling us to understand and respond to Jesus' words in ways that defy societal expectations.

But it also confronts us with a choice. Will we boldly embrace

Jesus for who he is, Messiah, Savior, Lord?

Or settle for a version of him that feels safer, more acceptable, less transformative?

As we dive into this text, let's examine our hearts. Are we willing to boldly stand for Christ in the midst of division, misunderstanding, and even opposition?

Or have we allowed the culture's influence to dilute the truth of who

Jesus is? In these verses, we see the timeless truth that the human heart, unaided by the

Spirit of God, cannot grasp the fullness of Christ's words. Verse 39 points us to the coming of the

Holy Spirit, promised to arrive after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension.

It's what John calls the glorification. Until the Spirit brings light to the soul, the profound meaning of Christ's teaching remains hidden to those who hear.

When Jesus spoke, the crowds were divided. Some saw him as a prophet, others believed he was the

Christ. Yet many rejected him outright, clinging to their distorted interpretations of Scripture, unaware of truths such as his birth in Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecy.

We can find this in Micah chapter 2. I'm sorry, Micah chapter 5, verse 2, says this,

But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah.

From you one will go forth for me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from everlasting, from the ancient days.

Now we see in the text, once again, there was a movement to arrest him, but no one could lay a hand on the sovereign one.

The temple guards, Levites, trained to uphold the law, were sent to seize Jesus, yet they returned empty -handed, not because of fear, but because his words pierced their hearts.

No one ever spoke like this man, they confessed. Their response highlights the power of Christ's teaching, a power that unsettled even the hardest of hearts.

In contrast, the religious elite scoffed at both guards and the people, revealing their disdain not only for Christ, but for anyone who might believe in him.

Nicodemus, however, stepped forward, timid yet bold. His defense of Jesus exposed the

Pharisees' hypocrisy, showing that their actions contradicted the very law they claimed to uphold.

This text confronts us with a choice. Will we allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate our minds and lead to the truth of Christ?

Or will we, like the Pharisees, cling to pride and reject him? Jesus divides all who encounter him, and your response will determine your eternity.

The reactions to Jesus Christ in this passage this morning reveal the eternal divide among humanity, the boldness of belief in him that sets the convinced apart, and the blindness of unbelief that fuels division among the spectators and leaders alike.

The Apostle John records two groups, divided by belief and unbelief, so that you can boldly believe in the one who alone is the

Christ, convinced that Jesus was sent by the Father to redeem his people.

The first group are the spectators. The crowd's reaction to Jesus is a timeless portrayal of humanity's divide, and really their divided response to truth.

Among them are the convinced, boldly confessing Jesus is the prophet or the

Christ, standing firm despite opposition, yet the contrary part of the group hesitate, questioning his origins, doubting his claims, revealing a wavering allegiance.

Finally, the hostile people outright reject him, seeking to seize him, blinded by their hatred.

The second group are the Sanhedrin, the religious elite. Despite their access to Scripture, they're no less divided.

The confused, represented by the officers, marvel at Jesus' words, yet they fail to grasp his true identity.

The religious authorities, clinging to their traditions and pride, scoff at belief and mock the crowd, embodying the hostility of dead religion.

Yet, in Nicodemus, we see the flicker of bold faith, challenging his peers with the question of justice and pointing to the light of truth.

The reactions to Jesus in this passage are not merely historical, but serve as a model of humanity, demonstrating the unchanging reality of human hearts before Christ.

There is no neutrality in him. There is no neutrality in Jesus. He divides the sheep from the goats, the bold from the blind, and the saved from the lost.

And so we need to ask this question before we get started. Where do you stand in this divine division?

You're in one of two columns. You're either a sheep or a goat. Let us be found among the convinced, boldly believing in the one who alone is the

Christ, sent by the Father to redeem his people. As we think about this last day of the

Feast of Booths, remember the Feast of Booths was one of Israel's major festivals, celebrating

God's provision during the wilderness journey and the agricultural harvest. By the first century, it had become a vibrant and well -attended festival in Jerusalem.

Marked by rituals like water pouring and lamp lighting, these were ceremonies symbolizing

God's provision in the hope of messianic deliverance. Jesus' presence at the feast created tension.

His teaching challenged the religious leaders' hypocrisy, exposing their superficial adherence to the law, while neglecting the true spirit of the law.

The religious elite, particularly the chief priests and Pharisees, were enraged, enraged, because Jesus threatened their authority and exposed their spiritual blindness.

The chief priests were predominantly Sadducees who controlled the temple. They would have collaborated with the

Roman authorities to maintain political and religious order. They were generally wealthy, aristocratic, and concerned with preserving their status.

Jesus' growing influence threatened their control and the delicate balance they maintained with Rome.

Unlike the Sadducees, the Pharisees emphasized strict adherence to oral traditions and to the law.

They were more popular among the common people, but were equally hostile toward Jesus because he exposed their legalism and spiritual pride.

The officers were temple guards. These were Levites tasked with maintaining order in the temple precincts.

They were under the authority of the chief priests and Pharisees and were well -versed in Jewish law. When they were sent to arrest

Jesus, they returned empty -handed, moved by the power of his words. Their reaction demonstrates that even those sent to oppose

Jesus could not help but be captivated by his teaching. John 7 captures this rising division among the people and the religious leaders regarding Jesus' identity.

While some believed he was the Christ, others rejected him based on their incomplete understanding of Scripture.

The leaders' contempt was evident in their dismissive remarks about the crowd's ignorance.

Nicodemus' cautious defense of Jesus highlights the deepening polarization, even within the leadership.

The crowds, chief priests, and Pharisees represent different aspects of human resistance to Jesus – superficial enthusiasm, self -preserving hostility, and legalistic pride.

Yet through these encounters, Jesus revealed his identity as the Messiah, offering life and calling all to respond in faith.

This historical and theological tension ultimately points to the cross, where Jesus' true mission would be fulfilled.

The crowd's response to Jesus illustrates the perpetual divide in humanity's reaction to divine truth.

Some firmly convinced courageously proclaim him as the promised prophet or the

Messiah, standing resolute in their faith despite resistance. Others waver, questioning his background, doubting his claims, revealing the instability of their allegiance.

And still others, consumed by hostility, reject him outright, their spiritual blindness driving them to hatred and opposition.

The Apostle John records two groups divided by belief and unbelief.

The first group are the spectators, verses 40 through 44. The spectators, division amongst the people.

Look at verse 40. Some of the crowd, therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, this truly is the prophet.

Others were saying, this is the Christ. Still others were saying, no, for is the

Christ going to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?

So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them were wanting to seize him, but no one laid hands on him.

As we turn to verses 40 through 44, we enter a scene filled with confusion, with conflict, and with controversy.

Jesus had been teaching at the Feast of Booths, and his words, as always, pierced the hearts of his listeners.

The reactions to him were varied, creating division among the crowd and really drawing a line in the sand regarding his identity.

Some were moved to confess him as Christ. Others hesitated, simply calling him a prophet, while others rejected him outright, dismissing him based on their own assumptions and ignorance.

This passage underscores a timeless truth. Belief in Jesus brings division, but it also grants boldness to those who truly embrace him.

Verse 40 begins with many in the crowd acknowledging Jesus as the prophet referred to by Moses.

So this is a supporting scripture from Deuteronomy chapter 18, says this,

Yahweh your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers.

You shall listen to him. Now this response might seem positive, yet it falls short of the full truth.

Recognizing Jesus as a prophet was an admission of his authority and connection to God, but it stopped short of seeing him as the

Messiah, the Son of God. One commentator noted this on the passage from Deuteronomy.

The singular pronoun emphasizes the ultimate prophet who was to come. Both the

Old Testament and the New Testament interpret this passage as a reference to the coming

Messiah, who like Moses would receive and preach divine revelation and lead his people.

Such partial recognition still reflects a spiritual blindness to some degree.

A willingness to respect Jesus, but not to surrender to him as the

Savior and Lord, as God in human flesh. Others took a step further declaring boldly, this is the

Christ. These individuals rightly identify Jesus as the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of the

Old Testament prophecies. Yet even here, their faith would soon be tested as belief in Jesus always comes with a cost.

Still, another group dismissed him outright, scoffing at him, scoffing at the notion that the

Christ could come from Galilee. Their skepticism stemmed from ignorance and prejudice.

They failed to investigate the truth about Jesus' true birthplace in Bethlehem.

Of course, we have the other Gospels and parallel Scripture passages that are helpful.

The Gospel of Matthew. Matthew chapter 2, we see this, now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold,

Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem saying, where is he who has been born king of the

Jews? For we saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. And when

Herod the king heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him and gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he was inquiring of them where the

Christ was to be born. And they said to him in Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what has been written by the prophet.

And they're referring to Micah. This is what has been written by the prophet Micah. And you,

Bethlehem, land of Judea, are by no means least among the leaders of Judea, for out of you shall come forth a leader who will shepherd my people

Israel. Instead, some of the crowd clung to assumptions.

And actually, they refused to engage with the evidence. And how often do we see this same attitude today?

Many reject Christ, not because they have carefully considered his claims, but because they have preconceived notions or cultural biases.

Jesus himself said that he came not to bring peace, but a sword.

In other words, division. Matthew chapter 10, the words of our Lord, do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth.

I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Think about it like this.

His teaching and identity force a decision. One that divides families, communities, and even nations.

This division is not caused by the gospel itself, which is the power of God to save sinners.

Remember Romans 1, I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the

Jew first and also to the Greek. No, the division is caused by the sinful resistance of the human heart.

When the light of Christ shines, it exposes darkness in us.

And people respond in one of two ways, repentance and faith, or rejection and hostility.

You're either a sheep or a goat. The division in John 7 is a microcosm of what happens wherever the gospel is preached.

The same message that softens some hearts hardens others.

It draws a line that cannot be erased, forcing each of us to ask the question

Jesus poses, who do you say that I am? Matthew 16, he said to the disciples, but who do you say that I am?

Amid the division, there is an unmistakable boldness as well. An unmistakable boldness in those who recognize

Jesus for who he truly is. Declaring him as the Christ in a hostile environment required courage.

These individuals faced ridicule and opposition, yet they spoke out because they were compelled by the truth.

This boldness is a hallmark of genuine faith. True belief in Christ transforms not only how we think, but also how we act.

It gives us the courage to stand firm in a culture that is increasingly hostile to biblical truth.

Like those in the crowd who dared to say he is the Christ. We are called to proclaim that Jesus is

Lord, regardless of the cost. Consider Nicodemus, who later in this section defended

Jesus before the Pharisees. The first time he came at night, he's not at nighttime anymore.

He's right there in front of everyone, defending Christ. Though timid at first,

Nicodemus was emboldened. And we see the seeds of faith starting to grow.

He's emboldened by his growing faith. His journey reminds us that boldness often begins in small steps of obedience.

As we trust Christ and take those steps, he strengthens our faith and empowers us to stand for him, to stand firm.

The objections of those who dismiss Jesus reveal the tragic consequences of spiritual ignorance.

They argue that the Messiah could not come from Galilee, failing to recognize that Jesus was indeed born in Bethlehem as prophesied.

Again, Micah chapter five, verse two. But as for you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah.

From you, one will go forth for me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from everlasting, from ancient days.

Their error was not due to a lack of evidence, but a lack of willingness to seek the truth.

This rejection is a sobering reminder of the dangers of spiritual complacency.

Many people today reject Christ, not because they have studied his claims and found them lacking, but because they have never taken the time to investigate.

They are content to rely on hearsay, cultural assumptions, or their own prejudices.

As believers, we must guard against this kind of complacency. The study of God's word requires diligence and humility.

We must approach scripture with open hearts, seeking not to conform it to our preferences, but to be conformed by its truth.

Finally, we see in this passage the hand of God preserving his son. Verse 44 tells us that some sought to seize

Jesus, yet no one laid a hand on him. And why is that?

Because his hour had not yet come. The providence of God is evident throughout

John's gospel as Jesus moves steadily toward the cross at God's appointed time.

Not one second before that appointed time. His time had not yet come.

This sovereignty should comfort and embolden us as believers. If God could protect his son in the midst of hostility and ensure that his plan of redemption was accomplished, how much more can he sustain us in the face of opposition?

This passage challenges us to consider our own response to Jesus. Are we like those who dismissed him based on a faulty assumption, refusing to actually just seek the truth?

Or are we like those who boldly confessed him as the Christ, even in the face of opposition?

Belief in Jesus will bring division. It may cost you relationships, status, or comfort, but it also brings boldness.

The courage to stand for truth and proclaim the gospel in a world that desperately needs it.

As we reflect on this passage, let us ask ourselves, are we diligent in seeking the truth about Christ, or have we settled for assumptions?

Do we proclaim Jesus boldly, even when it costs us something? Are we resting in the sovereignty of God, trusting him to sustain us in the midst of trials?

Remember, Jesus does not leave room for neutrality. His claims demand a response.

May we, like those in the crowd who recognized him as the Christ, have the courage to stand firm, to proclaim his name, and follow him with boldness, no matter the cost.

The spectators, division amongst the people. The mixed reactions to Jesus in verses 40 through 44 reveal that bold belief in Christ is the defining mark of true faith.

It's the defining mark of true faith. As some stand resolute in confessing him despite opposition, while others falter in doubt or reject him outright in hardened unbelief.

Imagine this scene. A group of temple guards appointed by the

Jewish religious leaders is tasked with arresting Jesus. They are not

Roman soldiers, but men familiar with Jewish law, steeped in religious tradition, and loyal to their superiors.

These guards have probably heard rumors about Jesus, claims of miracles, rumors of blasphemy, whispers of him being the

Christ. Their orders are clear. Find a reason to arrest this man who is stirring up the crowds.

And then they approach Jesus. And as they approach Jesus, they hear him.

And they hear him teaching. And instead of finding incriminating evidence, they find themselves captivated by his words.

No one ever spoke like this man, they later admit. They are stopped in their tracks, not by force, not by threat, but by the power of Christ's message.

His words resonate with a truth they can't deny, leaving them unable to carry out their orders.

This moment illustrates the profound division Jesus creates.

The religious leaders wanted him silenced. They want him dead, accusing him of breaking their laws, threatening their authority.

Yet, even the guards, men under direct order, were drawn to the undeniable authority of Jesus's teaching.

And now think of our modern context. Think about our time in the world we live in. Society often places

Jesus in categories. A good teacher. He's a good teacher. A moral leader.

He's a good moral leader. A historical figure. And there are some people that are so ignorant and want to deny the evidence so much that they're still out there saying things like, oh, can you even prove that he lived?

Oh my, smack, smack my head. It's like, how could you be that? There is more historical evidence for Jesus Christ than Alexander the

Great. Than probably any person in human history. Thousands upon thousands upon thousands of written records of Jesus.

Not just the gospel testimony, which is so important, but extra biblical external testimony.

I mean so much. But isn't that what we hear? Oh, he's just a historical figure. Just a historical figure.

Some reject him outright, claiming he is irrelevant or a myth.

He's just a myth. In our time, others like the temple guards find themselves intrigued.

They're intrigued. They're drawn to his words. Yet hesitant to act on that belief.

Still others boldly declare him as Lord, standing firm despite criticism and opposition.

Division over Jesus's identity is not new. But for those who believe there is a boldness to defend him.

Not with anger or hostility, but with a steadfast proclamation of the truth.

The same Jesus who captivated the guards calls us to share his message today.

Undeterred by the divisions around us. The religious leaders, though immersed in the scriptures, reveal a profound division in their hearts.

The officers, astonished by the power of Jesus's words, stop short of truly seeing him.

The authorities, entrenched in pride and tradition, mock belief and scorn the people.

Embodying the spiritual death of empty religion. Yet in Nicodemus, we catch a glimpse of courage.

A spark of faith, daring to confront the darkness with a plea for justice. And a pursuit of the light of truth.

The apostle John records two groups divided by belief and unbelief.

So that you can boldly believe in the one who alone is the

Christ. Convinced that Jesus was sent by the Father to redeem sinners. The first group are the spectators.

The second group are the Sanhedrin. Verses 45 through 53, the

Sanhedrin. The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees.

And they said to them, why did you not bring him? The officers answered, never has a man spoken like this.

The Pharisees then answered them, have you also been led astray? Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in him?

But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed. Nicodemus, he who came to him before, being one of them, said to them, does our law judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing?

They answered him, are you also from Galilee? Search and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.

Everyone went to his home. Verses 45 through 53 emphasize the division over belief in Jesus and the boldness it can inspire in his followers.

Faith in Jesus Christ divides the world, but emboldens his followers.

Church, the Gospel of John records a moment in history that reflects a timeless reality.

Belief in Jesus Christ divides humanity. Wherever Jesus speaks, hearts are stirred and fault lines appear.

In this section, we find a clash between the claims of Jesus and the hardened hearts of the religious elite.

It is an account of division, disbelief, and yet the unexpected courage of one man,

Nicodemus. This passage teaches us that while belief in Christ sets people at odds, it also gives courage to those who stand for him.

As we explore this account, this scene, let us be reminded that no one can encounter

Jesus and remain neutral. You either bow the knee to the

Lord or you dismiss him and reject him. You either bow in faith or turn away in rejection.

The temple officers tasked with arresting Jesus return empty -handed.

And when questioned by the Pharisees, their answer is simple yet profound. No man ever spoke like this man.

These officers were not ignorant men. They were well -versed, well -versed in religious tradition and the

Jewish laws. Yet when they stood before Jesus, their weapons of authority were rendered useless.

His words pierced their hearts with a power and clarity that no earthly rhetoric could match.

This is the power of Christ's words. Remember what

Hebrews chapter 4 says. The word of God is living and active and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and what?

Able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the human heart. It disarms even the most hostile hearts.

Friends, this is a reminder that the gospel does not depend on human eloquence.

It never has and it never will. Its power lies in the one who first spoke it,

Jesus Christ. May we never underestimate the authority of God's Word to captivate and convict even the hardest hearts.

The Pharisees, blinded by their pride, dismiss the testimony of the officers with scorn.

And you can kind of hear it in like an attitude. Listen to it. Are you also deceived?

Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in him? Their arrogance is on full display.

They equate belief in Jesus with ignorance and curse the common people as what?

Unlearned and accursed. They cling to their positions of power and reject the very truth they claim to uphold.

And here lies a tragic irony. Those who prided themselves on knowing the law failed to recognize the fulfillment of the law standing before them.

Instead of submitting to the truth, they mocked those who were moved by the truth. Let us be warned, dear friends, against the arrogance that blinds the

Word of God. The Pharisees remind us that intellectual knowledge without humility leads to spiritual ruin.

It, the pride or arrogance of man blinds us to God's work.

True wisdom bows before Christ. True wisdom acknowledges him as the

Lord. Amid the hostility, we see Nicodemus speak up.

This same man who once came to Jesus by night now questions the injustice of his peers.

Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?

Though his words were measured, they carried weight. Nicodemus reminded the council of their own laws, exposing their hypocrisy.

His courage, though timid, was evidence of a faith growing beneath the surface.

Brothers and sisters, Nicodemus shows us that even small acts of boldness matter in the face of opposition.

His defense of justice, however subtle, was a step forward, openly identifying with Christ.

A step he would fully take after Jesus' crucifixion. The Pharisees respond with a sneer.

Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee. Their prejudice blinds them.

Their personal biases blind them. Their prejudice blinds them to the truth.

In their haste to dismiss Jesus, they overlook the fact that prophets like Jonah and possibly others did come from Galilee.

Their disdain for Jesus' origins becomes an excuse. It's just an excuse to reject him entirely.

And this reminds us of the danger of preconceived notions. How often do we let biases or assumptions prevent us from seeing

God's hand at work? The Pharisees' blindness to Jesus' identity was not due to a lack of evidence.

It was a refusal to believe. Just as Nicodemus found courage to stand amidst opposition, we are called today to boldly defend

Christ. In a world divided over Jesus, we must be unashamed of the gospel.

Let us rest in the power of Scripture to convict and transform. Even when opposition is fierce,

God's word will not return void. Isaiah 55, So will my word by which goes forth from my mouth, it will not return to me empty without accomplishing what pleases me and without succeeding in the matter for which

I sent it. What an amazing reality. We have the word of God and that same word, the gospel of our

Lord and Savior, it divides. You're either a sheep or a goat. The same word softens the heart and the same word hardens the heart.

And in those cases, God still gets the glory. We have to guard our hearts against pride.

Guard your hearts against pride and presuppositions. True discipleship requires a posture of humility, ready to receive

God's truth, even when it challenges our assumptions. Belief in Jesus brings division, yet it also gives courage.

Like Nicodemus, we may face moments where standing for Christ costs us something.

Certainly in this time, there's nothing new under the sun. It's going to cost you something.

It is going to cost you something, especially in a society it's just an ever -changing tide of morality.

And here you are saying, no, there is a right and wrong. How dare you?

How dare you bring Jesus into this? How dare you bring the gospel into this? We are going to face moments where standing for Christ costs us something.

But take heart. His word is powerful. His truth is unchanging, and his spirit will strengthen you to stand firm.

In a world that mocks and rejects the Savior, let us be bold to witness, to be a witness to his glory, trusting that his word will accomplish his purposes.

May we, like the officers in Nicodemus, be captivated by the words of Christ and be compelled to follow him with unwavering faith.

The Sanhedrin, division amongst the leaders. In verses 45 through 53, the division among the religious leaders exposes the power of bold faith.

As Nicodemus dares to challenge blind tradition and dead religion, pointing to the light of truth found in Christ while others bound by pride mock and resist belief.

We live in a modern crossroads of belief. Maybe think about it like this.

Imagine a crowded courtroom, crowded courtroom buzzing with tension, a filled courtroom, nowhere to sit.

In this room are leaders, influencers, maybe skeptics, everyday people.

And at the center of the room stands a man accused of claiming to know objective morality as presented by God in the scripture, a claim so polarizing it divides even families.

This man, we'll call him Chris, represents someone who boldly speaks the truth about good and evil according to the

Bible. The prosecution is led by cultural elites. They argue, this claim is intolerant.

How can this person know the only way of right and wrong from God? They dismiss

Chris, saying anyone who follows him is deceived. Look at us, the educated, the powerful, the wise.

We've moved beyond such primitive ideas. The defense, however, is unique.

It's not led by professionals, but by ordinary people impacted by Chris's words.

They stand up one by one and say, we've never heard anyone say this kind of thing, that you can know right and wrong by what

God says in the Bible. We just haven't heard these words. His words aren't just information, they bring transformation.

But here's the twist. Even among the crowd of defenders, there's division. Some stand boldly, openly proclaiming their belief in Chris's position.

Others, maybe like Nicodemus, speak hesitantly, not yet ready to declare allegiance in the face of ridicule, but unable to remain silent against blatant injustice.

This illustration mirrors what we see in John 7. The officers sent to arrest

Jesus return empty -handed, captivated by his words. They declare, no one ever spoke like this man.

Their response divides the Pharisees. Some mock their gullibility. Others, like Nicodemus, challenge the injustice of condemning a man without hearing him out.

Church, we live in the same time, much like this courtroom, much like this scene from John 7.

The claims of Jesus that he is the Christ, the only way to the

Father, are as divisive today as they ever have been. The world around us, like the

Pharisees, often ridicules this claim. In universities,

Jesus is dismissed as a relic of the past. In workplaces, people shy away from his exclusivity to avoid conflict.

Even in families, belief in Christ can cause deep divisions. Here's one

I've heard before at Thanksgiving and at Christmas. Don't bring anything up because I just want to have a good meal.

Imagine that. I'm slinging arrows. Did I hit somebody?

You've got an out -of -town family member coming to your Christmas dinner. Don't bring up religion.

You know they're not saved. We don't want to bring up the gospel of hope and salvation, everlasting life.

The only hope we have in this world, folks, is God's grace. God's grace in the gospel, but you don't want to bring it up because you might offend

Uncle Jerry. Uncle Jerry's going to hell forever, but let's not bring it up. We just want to have a good meal.

If you've said that, you need to rethink how much you love

Jesus. And you need to rethink how much you love Uncle Jerry. We have to be bold no matter what happens, even in our families.

Families are divided over belief in Christ very often. But just as in John 7,

Jesus' words still captivate. They stir hearts.

They demand a response. Some will believe boldly, standing firm in their faith regardless of the cost.

Others, like Nicodemus, may struggle with fear, but take small steps toward truth.

And here's the question. In a world divided over Jesus, will you boldly declare him as Christ?

Or will you remain silent? Like Nicodemus, will you take that first step of faith even if it's small?

Or will you retreat in fear of man's opinion? You know, let this courtroom illustration remind us of one thing.

Jesus' claims are not just a matter of intellectual debate. They are a matter of eternal significance.

Dear friends, as one well -known pastor often says, the gospel is not just truth to be believed, it's truth to die for.

Let us, if necessary, die for the bold proclamation that Jesus is the

Christ, the Son of God. The Son of the living God. The Apostle John recorded two groups, divided by belief and unbelief, so that you can boldly believe in the one who alone is the

Christ. Convinced that Jesus was sent by the Father to die for your sins.

The crowd's reaction to Jesus unveiled the deep divide in humanity's response to ultimate truth.

Some, gripped by the glory of Christ, boldly declared him as the prophet or Messiah, standing firm even in the face of opposition.

Others wavered, ensnared by doubt and the limitations of their own understanding. And still others, hardened by pride and hatred, rejected him with clenched fists, blind to the beauty and grace standing before them.

The spectators' division amongst the people. The division amongst the people shows bold belief in Christ is the defining mark of true faith, as some stand resolute in confessing him despite opposition, while others falter in doubt or reject him outright in hardened unbelief.

The religious elite, though privileged with the knowledge of scripture, stood fractured. The officers, amazed by the authority of Jesus's words, fell short of recognizing who he truly is.

The rulers, consumed by their pride and man -made traditions, despised belief and mocked the common people, showcasing the lifelessness of a dead religion.

Yet, in Nicodemus, we saw a glimmer of true faith, a boldness that dared to rise against the darkness, seeking justice and pointing to the glory of Christ, the only true light.

The Sanhedrin, division amongst the leaders. The division amongst the religious leaders shows there is power in bold faith, as Nicodemus dares to challenge blind tradition and dead religion, pointing to the light of truth found in Christ, while others, bound by pride, mock and resist belief.

As we conclude our reflection on these verses, let us stand amazed at how the

Apostle John presents humanity's divided response to Christ. Two distinct groups emerge, the spectators and the

Sanhedrin, each reflecting the eternal divide between belief and unbelief. This passage calls us to bold faith in Jesus as the

Messiah, sent by the Father to redeem his people. The first group, the spectators, represents the broader crowd and their varied reactions to Jesus's proclamation.

Some, convinced by his words and works, boldly confess him as the prophet or the Christ. These individuals exemplify unwavering faith, standing firm against opposition.

Others in the crowd, however, waver, questioning his origins, doubting his identity.

Their hesitation reveals a fragile allegiance torn between tradition and truth. And finally, the hostile faction among them outright rejects

Jesus. Their hearts are blinded by animosity, even plotting to seize him. This spectrum of responses remains a timeless portrait of humanity's reaction to divine truth, from belief to skepticism to rejection.

The second group, the Sanhedrin, reflects the division even among those steeped in religious knowledge.

The officers, amazed by Jesus's teaching, are moved but fail to recognize his divine identity.

They represent a form of confusion, captivated but yet unwilling to fully embrace.

The religious leaders, on the other hand, embody hardened hostility, clinging to their pride and traditions.

They mock belief in Jesus and scorn other people's faith, showcasing the spiritual blindness of dead religion.

Yet even in this hostile group, there is a glimmer of hope. Nicodemus, though hesitant, demonstrates a courageous faith.

He challenges his peers openly, appealing to justice and subtly pointing to the truth of Christ.

These two groups remind us that the question of Jesus's identity demands a response.

Just as Moses's provision of water in the wilderness foreshadowed the living water of Christ, so too does the crowd's division echo the choice set before every heart.

The Messiah foretold in scripture as both prophet and king has come to fulfill the promises of God, yet many stumble over his earthly origins, failing to see that he was born in David's city, as prophesied and descended from David's line.

John's eyewitness testimony masterfully captures this irony. Those who reject

Jesus cling to misconceptions that crumble under the weight of divine truth.

They fail to see that Jesus, the true Redeemer, surpasses all expectations, fulfilling both the prophetic and kingly roles.

Their rejection stands as a cautionary tale of how pride blinds the heart to God's revelation.

Today, this passage calls us to examine our own hearts. Are we among the convinced, boldly proclaiming

Jesus as the Christ, no matter the cost? Or are we hesitant, questioning, or even resistant to the truth?

Let us learn from Nicodemus, whose willingness to seek justice and truth set him on the path of fuller faith.

Beloved, the invitation stands. Believe boldly in the one who alone is the

Christ. Let the testimony of scripture, the evidence of his works, and the conviction of the

Holy Spirit lead you to a firm and unshakeable faith in Jesus. Jesus, the

Son of God, sent to redeem sinners. May we not waver or resist, but confess with confidence that Jesus is