Competing Ways to Know Whether Jesus is the Messiah

Text: John 7:37-52

Reflection and Question: Those who question how Jesus can be the Messiah because He comes from Galilee make a good Biblical point. Nothing in the Hebrew Scripture supports that the Messiah will come from Galilee. Bethlehem is the family seat of David. Instead of looking at this detail from Scripture, Nicodemus asks them to look at Jesus and what He is doing for evidence. Today, in questions about the place of the GLBT faithful, our church is again faced with a conflict between those who cite their reading of Scripture and those who cite what people do, and whether they are living good and righteous lives. How do you recognize the faithful, in Biblical detail or in the fruits of their labors?

Prayer: Jesus, our Savior, in the midst of the disputes swirling around us, You simply invite anyone who is thirsty to come to You and drink. When we, both straight and gay believers, do drink, then living water flows from our hearts. Bless all we do. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).