40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." 41 Others said, "He is the Christ." Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee?  42 Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him. 45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?" 46  "No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared. 47  "You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted. 48  "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him?  49 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law - there is a curse on them." 50  Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?" 52  They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee."

As our political candidates express their positions and promises before elections, we listen to see if these words are true or make sense to us. As we consider the campaigns, we now need to pursue more with greater intensity than ever before; is this just another political ploy or taken out of context or is it legitimate? Sometimes the news broadcasts will do “reality check” or supposedly a factual evaluation on the claims and the counterclaims and on political ads allowing us to re-evaluate our choices.   

It is healthy to listen to the concerns and hear differing viewpoints. After hearing discussions about Jesus, the people might ask for the reality check if the Messiah was to come from Galilee? The Pharisees and teachers of the law were implying that the Messiah was to come from Judea.  This concern is based upon a lack of information concerning Jesus' tie to Bethlehem.  Had the Pharisees been desirous to know, they would have inquired and discovered indeed, Jesus was born in the City of David and was from the lineage of David, just as the prophets predicted.        

There was another consideration - the guards listened to Jesus and discovered He spoke like none other. He was quite a public speaker, but also He spoke with authority and power. There was something that prevented that arrest. They heard Him say concerning Himself, v.28,29 "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.". He was more than a prophet and certainly the conclusion of the words bothered the guards. At this point they were not willing to arrest Jesus.    

The leaders and Pharisees ignored His claims and was more concerned with the political implications for their positions, if they went against party lines. They were prejudiced in their evaluations, even against the kinds of people who were Jesus’ followers. They had no status. Their votes would not be based on facts and evaluations, but only what their leaders and the rich told them to think. When Nicodemus questioned this, they started attacking his loyalty.    

There were followers of Jesus who were well learned in the law and in Scripture. From time to time even priests and Scribes were included in the lists of believers. Nicodemus was convinced they were not giving Jesus a fair hearing. It is apparent that Nicodemus took Jesus words seriously that night that they visited as recorded in John 3. Nicodemus was challenging them to consider the words and works of Jesus.     

People need to evaluate their concerns and give further considerations as to what is behind their opinions. When it comes to Jesus, He was like no other, as God in the flesh. We will be judged based on our own conclusions and commitments, not on what others conclude.

Application: Find a balance in your convictions and base your opinions on truth. 

Prayer:   Lord, teach me to look for the best in everything and to trust You to lead me.   Let Your truth form my opinions and remove a critical spirit within me.   

Dale