same sermon. same jesus. different hearts
Pastor Frank Park | Founding and Senior Pastor
Scripture: John 7:25–52
Jesus stands in the temple courts and teaches openly. No tricks. No theatrics. Just truth.
And the crowd fractures.
Some whisper, “Isn’t this the man they want to kill?”
Others ask, “Could this really be the Christ?”
Still others scoff, “The Messiah doesn’t come from Galilee.”
And others want Him arrested.
The temple guards sent to arrest Him come back empty-handed, stunned by His words. The Pharisees harden further, clinging to power and certainty.
Same sermon.
Same Jesus.
Different hearts.
This passage exposes something deeply uncomfortable: Jesus does not unify everyone. He actually divides, before He unites. Not because He is unclear, but because hearts are. Jesus says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”
Notice, the invitation from Jesus was for anyone. Christianity has been accused of being narrow-minded, bigoted and too exclusive, because we claim that Jesus is the only way to salvation and that every other way leads to hell. Christianity, rather is the most inclusive and the most exclusive religion at the same time. It is the most inclusive, because in the words of Jesus - anyone is welcome to come. It is also the most exclusive, because anyone is welcome to come to Jesus, but He is the only way, the only truth and the only source of life.
Jesus’ invitation is one that is wide enough for anyone… yet received in radically different ways.
Some are thirsty.
Some are suspicious.
Some are offended.
Some are threatened.
And some are so close to truth they can almost taste it, yet still walk away.
The Illusion of Neutrality
One of the most dangerous postures in this story is not hatred, but hesitation.
The crowd debates Jesus endlessly:
But few actually come to Him. We like to imagine we can remain neutral with Jesus indefinitely - observe Him, analyze Him, delay a response. But Scripture never allows that luxury. Jesus does not ask for opinions. He demands a verdict.
Religion Can Blind You
The Pharisees know the Scriptures.
They know theology.
They know tradition.
And yet they completely miss God standing in front of them.
Why? Because Jesus threatens their control. They don’t reject Him because of lack of evidence; they reject Him because of what obedience would cost. It’s possible to be close to holy things and still far from God. It is possible to defend truth and still resist The Truth Himself.
The Question That Won’t Go Away
This passage presses one unavoidable question into every soul: What will you do with Jesus?
Not:
But you.
Will you:
Jesus still divides crowds today.
Same gospel.
Same cross.
Same empty tomb.
Different hearts.
And the most important decision of your life is not what you believe about church, or what you think about Christianity, but what you will do with Jesus Christ. You cannot stay undecided forever. Eventually, silence becomes an answer.
Jesus stands in the temple courts and teaches openly. No tricks. No theatrics. Just truth.
And the crowd fractures.
Some whisper, “Isn’t this the man they want to kill?”
Others ask, “Could this really be the Christ?”
Still others scoff, “The Messiah doesn’t come from Galilee.”
And others want Him arrested.
The temple guards sent to arrest Him come back empty-handed, stunned by His words. The Pharisees harden further, clinging to power and certainty.
Same sermon.
Same Jesus.
Different hearts.
This passage exposes something deeply uncomfortable: Jesus does not unify everyone. He actually divides, before He unites. Not because He is unclear, but because hearts are. Jesus says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”
Notice, the invitation from Jesus was for anyone. Christianity has been accused of being narrow-minded, bigoted and too exclusive, because we claim that Jesus is the only way to salvation and that every other way leads to hell. Christianity, rather is the most inclusive and the most exclusive religion at the same time. It is the most inclusive, because in the words of Jesus - anyone is welcome to come. It is also the most exclusive, because anyone is welcome to come to Jesus, but He is the only way, the only truth and the only source of life.
Jesus’ invitation is one that is wide enough for anyone… yet received in radically different ways.
Some are thirsty.
Some are suspicious.
Some are offended.
Some are threatened.
And some are so close to truth they can almost taste it, yet still walk away.
The Illusion of Neutrality
One of the most dangerous postures in this story is not hatred, but hesitation.
The crowd debates Jesus endlessly:
- Where is He from?
- Who does He think He is?
- Does He fit our expectations?
But few actually come to Him. We like to imagine we can remain neutral with Jesus indefinitely - observe Him, analyze Him, delay a response. But Scripture never allows that luxury. Jesus does not ask for opinions. He demands a verdict.
Religion Can Blind You
The Pharisees know the Scriptures.
They know theology.
They know tradition.
And yet they completely miss God standing in front of them.
Why? Because Jesus threatens their control. They don’t reject Him because of lack of evidence; they reject Him because of what obedience would cost. It’s possible to be close to holy things and still far from God. It is possible to defend truth and still resist The Truth Himself.
The Question That Won’t Go Away
This passage presses one unavoidable question into every soul: What will you do with Jesus?
Not:
- What do others think?
- What does culture say?
- What does your upbringing suggest?
But you.
Will you:
- Dismiss Him?
- Debate Him?
- Fear the crowd?
- Protect your reputation?
- OR FALL AT HIS FEET AND DRINK DEEPLY?
Jesus still divides crowds today.
Same gospel.
Same cross.
Same empty tomb.
Different hearts.
And the most important decision of your life is not what you believe about church, or what you think about Christianity, but what you will do with Jesus Christ. You cannot stay undecided forever. Eventually, silence becomes an answer.