Jesus Caused Division Among the People

Whenever a man speaks God's truth, there is controversy. Some people will believe and accept God's word. Some will not believe. Both sides may have strong reasons for the way they feel. And often the two groups will oppose each other so that there is a division among the people.

No one should be surprised that when the prophet Jesus spoke God's word to the children of Israel, a division was formed. Some believed and some did not. In fact, the unbelievers became enemies of the believers. The Qur'an clearly mentions this and hints at the struggle that occurred between the two groups. (Sura 61:14)

The gospel mentions this division also. I put my trust in the Bible record, and here is what it says about the reactions people had to Jesus:

"At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, 'Isn't this the man they are trying to kill? Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Christ? But we know where this man is from; when the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.' Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, 'Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.' At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, 'When the Christ comes will he do more miraculous signs than this man?' The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. Jesus said, 'I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.' On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.' By 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. On hearing his words, some of the people said, 'Surely this man is the Prophet.' Others said, 'He is the Christ.' Still others asked, 'How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?' Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him." (John 7:25-43)

Even today there are differing opinions about Jesus. Those who believe in him are treated as enemies by those who do not believe. Indeed, sometimes a person goes through his own personal struggle - partly believing Jesus and partly disbelieving him. On which side do you find yourself, among the unbelievers or among the believers?