Expository Thoughts On John - JOHN 7:40-53
J.C. Ryle explores the division among the people regarding Jesus' identity, emphasizing the necessity of grace alongside knowledge in truly recognizing Christ.
In this expository sermon on John 7:40-53, J.C. Ryle examines the varied reactions to Jesus' identity among the people and religious leaders. He highlights the tension between knowledge and grace, showing that intellectual understanding alone cannot lead to true faith. Ryle encourages listeners to seek a heartfelt acceptance of Christ beyond mere scriptural knowledge.
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Differing Opinions About Jesus
When they heard these words, some of the crowd began to say, "This really is the Prophet!" Others said, "This is the Christ!" But still others said, "No, for the Christ doesn’t come from Galilee, does he? Don’t the scriptures say that the Christ is a descendant of David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So there was a division in the crowd because of Jesus. Some of them were wanting to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
Then the officers returned to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why didn’t you bring him back with you?" The officers replied, "No one ever spoke like this man!" Then the Pharisees answered, "You haven’t been deceived too, have you? None of the rulers or the Pharisees have believed in him, have they? But this rabble who do not know the law are accursed!"
Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before and who was one of the rulers, said, "Our law doesn’t condemn a man unless it first hears from him and learns what he is doing, does it?" They replied, "You aren’t from Galilee too, are you? Investigate carefully and you will see that no prophet comes from Galilee!" And every man went unto his own house.
These verses show us, for one thing, how useless is knowledge in religion, if it is not accompanied by grace in the heart. We are told that some of our Lord\
Sermon Outline
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I. Differing Opinions About Jesus
- Some recognize Jesus as the Prophet or Christ
- Others doubt because of His Galilean origin
- Division arises among the crowd
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II. The Response of the Religious Leaders
- Officers impressed by Jesus' words
- Pharisees reject belief and condemn the common people
- Nicodemus advocates for fair hearing
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III. The Limitations of Knowledge Without Grace
- Knowledge alone is insufficient in religion
- True faith requires grace in the heart
- Religious skepticism hinders acceptance of Christ
Key Quotes
“No one ever spoke like this man!” — J.C. Ryle
“Our law doesn’t condemn a man unless it first hears from him and learns what he is doing, does it?” — J.C. Ryle
“These verses show us, for one thing, how useless is knowledge in religion, if it is not accompanied by grace in the heart.” — J.C. Ryle
Application Points
- Evaluate your own heart to ensure that knowledge of scripture is accompanied by genuine grace.
- Be open to hearing and understanding Jesus fully before forming judgments.
- Recognize that true faith often divides opinion but calls for personal conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was there division among the people about Jesus?
Because some believed He was the Prophet or Christ while others rejected Him due to His Galilean background.
What was the Pharisees' attitude toward Jesus?
They rejected Him and condemned those who believed, considering them ignorant of the law.
Who was Nicodemus and what was his role?
Nicodemus was a ruler who previously visited Jesus and advocated for a fair hearing before condemnation.
What does the sermon say about knowledge in religion?
Knowledge without grace in the heart is useless for true religious faith.