Jesus Divides

While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.”
Text: John 7:12-24

This side of eternity in this broken world, cursing is the default language of the kingdom of self, but mourning is the default language of the kingdom of God. -Paul Tripp

Jesus divides:

• God-reliance or self-reliance?
• Mourning or cursing?
• Humility or pride?
• Grace or works?
• The word of Christ or the wisdom of self?
• Habits of grace or godless pursuits?
• Faith or sight?
• Love or selfishness?
• Community or isolation?
• Rest in the cross or wallow in sin?

Jesus accused the religious leaders of His day of being "like whitewashed tombs." Whitewashed tombs means exactly what it sounds like: tombs that have been covered with white paint, so they “look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean” (Matthew 23:27). This speaks to the spiritual condition of the scribes and Pharisees. Outwardly, they appeared holy and clean, but inside they were spiritually dead.

Jesus also said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Jesus is exposing the heart. What a person says and does reveal what is really inside the person.

Eventually, the "smell" around the tomb reveals the decaying contents within. Those little words or reactions that "slip out" reveal a heart that isn't as submissive to God's will as we would like others to think.

If you feel hopeless at this point, stop and thank God for exposing your weakness. The gospel tells us that we are hopeless apart from divine intervention.

Jesus isn't looking for perfect people. Jesus suffered and died so that you and I would receive forgiving grace. He is looking for people who will, again and again, admit their sin and their need for grace.

But God hasn't just forgiven you. He has called you to live by faith. In His grace, He offers you everything you need for life and godliness (see 2 Peter 1). In grace, He is ever with you because He knows you will never make it on your own!

He has given you His presence. He has given you His power. And He has given you His promises.

Faith to live for the Kingdom of God comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).  The word of Christ is the gospel! Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly today (Colossians 3:16). Jesus is inviting you to Himself.

Jesus divides. Whose side are you on?