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Here in our Scripture passage this morning Jesus presents a truth while teaching and, like truth normally does, it creates a division among the listeners. Notice if you will how a promise Jesus delivered while teaching caused people to divide and demonstrate prejudice.

1. A promise delivered. [7:37-39] 

John sets the context for the promise Jesus delivers by reminding us He is at the Feast of Tabernacles and it’s ‘the last and greatest day.’ One element of the Feast was the ceremony of water and prayer for rain. Each day of the Feast, priests would lead a procession to the Pool of Siloam and bring water back to the Temple in a gold pitcher.

Once at the Temple, the water would be poured out around the altar and prayers would be offered to God thanking Him for His past provision and seeking His future provision. It’s in this context that Jesus delivers the promise of living water. When you look closely at these verses, you see Jesus -- the master teacher -- once again capturing the essence of what’s taking place and using it to teach an eternal truth.

The promise Jesus made that day is still available today. Magazines, Radio spots, TV advertisements all promise better and longer life if you’ll only take what they have to offer. Their promise offers temporary help at best and is motivated by their financial gain. The promise Jesus offers is eternal and is motivated by God’s love for you. Remember what Jesus said in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He have His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

2. A people divided. [7:40-43]

John says ‘some of the people’ having either seen or heard of the miracles Jesus had performed, and now hearing Him teach they’re convinced He’s the Prophet spoken of in Deuteronomy 18:15 or He’s the Christ. (He’s one or the other...or both.) Then John says ‘still others’ aren’t sure because of Jesus relationship to Galilee. Look at verse 42, “Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” He’s persuasive but He’s from the wrong place. Now look at verse 43, “Thus the people where divided because of Jesus.”

When I read this passage, I wonder why no one ever asks the question, “Where were You born?” They always assume that since He came from Galilee that is where He was born. I’m guilty of this more times than not. I was recently elected to serve on the Missions Board of the KBC. During my first meeting a few weeks ago while at lunch I sat down with pastors from across the state and we began to ask each other, “Where are you from?” My response was Louisville. In one sense that’s true, but in another sense (since I was born in another city) it’s not true.

These people are divided over an assumption. How many here have been wrong when you made a decision purely on an assumption? Usually you end up looking bad or embarrassed. Part of Jesus' teaching would have included things about where a person will spend eternity: heaven or hell. Are you willing to base your eternity on an assumption? Or are you willing to ask the right questions, even if the answer is divisive?

3. A prejudice demonstrated. [7:44-52]

Let me give you the dictionary’s definition of prejudice: "an adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts." Would you agree with me that this definition fits the chief priests and Pharisees like a hand in a glove? (Their actions demonstrate their prejudice.) Notice what verses 44-52 say about the religious leaders:

A. They’re not interested in what the temple police think.
B. They’re not interested in what the crowd thinks.
C. They’re not even interested in what one of their own thinks.
D. They’re not even concerned about what the Bible says.

When someone has a prejudiced opinion or some kind of biased agenda, the last thing you can expect to receive is a fair hearing. When Pilate tried to release Jesus after finding no reason to hold Him, Mark 15:11 says it was ‘the chief priests who stirred up the crowd to have Barabbas released instead.’ Their minds were closed. They had an agenda and it demonstrated their prejudice against Jesus.

Is your mind open to the teaching of Jesus this morning or is it closed? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one can come to the Father except through Me.” In other words—He is the only way anyone will ever get to enter heaven. That’s a truth that divides.

The Bible says ‘whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Rom. 10:13). That’s a promise delivered. Being able to enter into a personal relationship with the God of all creation is still available today.

The Bible says ‘whoever is not with Me, is against Me’ (Mat. 12:30). That’s a people divided. There is no middle ground with Christ. Either you accept Him as Savior and Lord or you reject Him.

The Bible says ‘all men will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm until the end will be saved’ (Mat. 10:22). That’s prejudice demonstrated. You give your life to Jesus and some people won’t like it at all. (Some will be family and friends.)

There’s a cost associated with salvation. Just as there was a cost associated with making salvation possible. Jesus was more than willing to pay the price for you...are you willing live for Him even if it creates division?