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.
Publically and boldly announcing Himself to be the Reliever of all spiritual thirst as well as inviting all to come, Jesus created quite the commotion. Not at all surprising, we find in our verses for today, division among the hearers over the Fountain of Life’s Words. Is that not the way it still remains and will continue to remain until the world no longer stands? The Words of Jesus will always cause divisions and differences among unregenerate human nature. It is here that we see the fulfillment to Christ’s words when He announced that He did not bring peace to the earth, rather division:
51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. Luke 12:51 (NIV)
Unfortunately, Christian and non-Christians alike remain divisive, divisive, divisive over the Word’s of our Lord. It is certainly a sad commentary to see this division among believers fleshed out. It is hard to even count the different denominations amongst those who claim faith in Christ. We get annoyed, we leave, and we begin our own heresies. Whether pride or ignorance or demanding of our own ways and bents or whatever is the culprit or the motive behind our actions, Scripture is clear that as brothers and sisters in Jesus, we are to get along – bearing with one another and forgiving grievances - demonstrating the love of Jesus, through His power, filled with mercy, grace and truth. Paul tells us in Colossians:
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3:12-14 (NIV)
We also find In Philippians a like command:
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phil 2:1-4 (NIV)
“How useless is knowledge in religion, if it is not accompanied by grace in the heart.” J. C. Ryle
“Peacemakers are people who breathe grace. They draw continually on the goodness and power of Jesus Christ, and then they bring His love, mercy, forgiveness, strength and wisdom to the conflicts of daily life. God delights to breathe His grace through peacemakers and use them to dissipate anger, improve understanding, promote justice and encourage repentance and restoration.” Ken Sande
During this period, pious Jews were eagerly expecting the Messiah, the anointed Savior. Clearly, these hearers knew where the Christ was to be born. They knew He was to come from David’s line and from Bethlehem – the house of Bread – yet sadly, they did not know Jesus – they did not recognize Him as the Messiah blindly remaining unaware of His birthplace as well as His lineage. The eyes of their understanding masked His identity; they neither received Him nor believed Him nor obeyed Him. We must remember that knowledge is for naught if it remains in the head only and does not move to the heart and hand. James gives us the following admonition:
14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. James 2:14-19 (NIV)
God commands the believer to treat his sisters and brother in Christ with compassion, with courtesy and with consistency – commonly known to us as the “Do unto others” and the “Love your neighbor as yourself”” rule for life. As we flesh out this mandate we show the love of Christ to others fulfilling John words:
6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)