Thoughts for the Day

Others said, ‘This is the Messiah.’ But some asked, ‘Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?’ So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why did you not arrest him?’ The police answered, ‘Never has anyone spoken like this!’ Then the Pharisees replied, ‘Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.’ Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, ‘Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?’ They replied, ‘Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Some professions invite questions which can be a little annoying for the person who is trying to have some down-time. The Doctor can find herself questioned about some illness or medication when trying to enjoy a night out at the local pub; and the builder gets asked questions about how to solve a leaky roof. But it can be worse than that for teachers, who may be blamed for the faults of modern teenagers; the dentist for the lack of sufficient dentists in the country; and of course the priest blamed for everything that God is perceived to have done.

We can see in our reading that the presence of Jesus is stirring up a furore in the Temple. Even the Temple police are half inclined to believe he might be the Messiah, and take their problem to the Chief Priests and the Pharisees. The latter are scathing about the common people's opinions merely remarking does anyone in authority believe in Jesus. Suddenly, though a timid voice is raised questioning the need for a fair "hearing" for Jesus. We have seen Nicodemus before when he comes surreptitiously to Jesus by night for fear of what other Pharisees will think (John 3.1-10). Now he actually puts his face above the parapet and asks a question, though he doesn't actually say that he believes Jesus is the Messiah.

When people know we are a Christian we can be faced with difficult situations - what should we do when someone uses the name "Jesus" as a swear word; or ridicules belief in God? Are we like Nicodemus afraid to say anything? Or are we going to stand up for our faith? Nicodemus was finally to do just that, for when Joseph of Arimathea gained permission from Pilate to bury Jesus, he and Nicodemus would take his body to the tomb, and it was he who provided the precious spices to anoint him. (John 19.38-40).

Lord Jesus Christ,
give us a spirit of confidence
rather than timidity
to stand up for You
when others belittle or defame You,
May we be proud of being a Christian
and show our beliefs
through our lifestyle,
so that others want to know more.
Teach us how to share our faith
with those who ask us,
and may we turn to You each day
in praise and worship.
Amen.