John 7:43-46

43 So there was a division among the people because of Him. 

44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”

46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”

“No man ever spoke like this Man!”

The people certainly were divided about Jesus. Some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one did. Why? Maybe they were afraid of how the people who believed in Him might react. We don’t really know what they were thinking, but we do know one thing. We know from verse 30 that Jesus’ time had not yet come. It was not according to God’s timetable for Him to be arrested yet. Everything had to happen according to God’s plan. 

In verse 45, the chief priests and the Pharisees asked the officers why they had not arrested Him. And they said an interesting thing, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” Was there some belief underneath that statement? Maybe not belief, but curiosity for sure! Curiosity can be the beginning of belief. It is almost as if they couldn’t stop listening to Him, even though they wanted to arrest Him! 

The reason Jesus’ words were so powerful is that they were the Words of everlasting life. He spoke in a way that these people had never heard before. His Words were confusing to them, but comforting at the same time. Phrases like “living water” and “everlasting life” brought them comfort even though they didn’t believe in Him. Jesus’ words were rooted in the Old Testament Scripture, even though some of what He spoke of was new to them. They were thinking, “The Words that this Man is speaking are rooted in the Scriptures, so they have to have some truth to them, right?” 

Jesus also spoke with such confidence and boldness, but coupled with just the right amount of love and kindness. Oh, the lessons we can learn from Jesus about teaching the truth to others. Jesus used what the people already knew to teach them the new concepts that would be coming after His death and resurrection. He used their background knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures to introduce new information to them. Peter did the same thing in the first gospel sermon in Acts 2. He talked about what they already knew from the past before teaching them the truth about how to be saved. 

My teacher friends, isn’t this what we do in the classroom? We build on what our students already know to teach new material. So… when we are teaching others the gospel, we begin where they are and move forward from there. We begin with what they know about Jesus. We begin with scriptures that they know, and move forward from there. And we always, always, always, speak with kindness and love in our voices, no matter what. I pray for opportunities to help someone learn the truth, and I pray that I recognize those open doors and walk through them without fear. 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)