Week 22, Day 5: The Master of Discourse

Today’s Reading:  John 9:1-10:42

Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…

We can see in chapters 7 & 8 some examples of why the Pharisees would eventually come to the point of not asking Jesus any more questions – they could not compete with the truth He spoke.  Many times Jesus gave the Jews logical answers or asked them logical questions for which they had no good answers.  7:21-24 is one of those times where Jesus presents His case so well.  If Moses commanded circumcision and on the Sabbath it is done to complete what the Law commands, then why were they upset that Jesus had healed a man and made him whole on the Sabbath.  It was a very good point and should have made the Pharisees consider what He said.  But as we all know, discussions are not always based on logic, depending on the person’s intentions.  The Pharisees had their minds made up and no matter how good the point was that Jesus made, they were determined not to hear Him.

Another example of the lack of logic behind the Pharisees actions is seen in 7:50-52.  Nicodemus asked a good question, “Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?”  This is a good point and one that should be easy to answer.  And yet the reply is more of an insult or an act of belittling Nicodemus.  “You are not from Galilee, are you?”  What kind of response is that unless you are just trying to silence someone.

When we are discussing God’s word with others, let us remember these examples.  Our patience will be tested at times because we can make the most sensible, well thought out point and the person may try to divert from answering the question by going in a different direction (dodging the question) or by trying to turn the discussion into an attempt to slander you (name calling).  Those who are serious about learning the truth will be easy to recognize because they will think about what you said.  They will search these things out.  But let us also remember that we may need to suffer long with those whom we are trying to teach because the walls they have put up may not come down quickly.  Let us be gentle and not loose our composure.  Sinking to the tactics of name calling or heated insults does not avail us anything in helping them to see the truth.

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