First, Hear Him

37On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”^c 39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

40On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.”

41Others said, “He is the Messiah.”

Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” 43Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.

Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders

45Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”

46“No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.

47“You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. 48“Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”

50Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, 51“Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” (John 7) 

Thoughts: "Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him?"  Too many condemn Jesus without investigating his teachings and his person.  Our call is always to hear what Jesus has said, and listen by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus calls out to us all today- if you are thirsty- if you are unsatisfied with life- come to me.  When you truly come to Jesus it is as if the flood gates open and the rivers flow through you to others.  The people wouldn't listen long enough to understand that Jesus was indeed born in Bethlehem and that Isaiah 9:1,2 speak of the Messiah coming from Galilee of the gentiles.  The crowd did not want to listen to his credentials or examine who he really was.  They would rather be comfortable in their unbelief.  

Prayer: Lord, keep me from being comfortable in my unbelief.  Rather help me to hear your voice.