Have the Rulers or Pharisees Believed? - John 7:48

The apostle John wrote concerning Jesus how, “then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have you not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are you also deceived?”, and in chapter seven and verse forty-eight of his book, John shared how the Pharisees ask, “have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?”, where we read:

Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

The verse reads, “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees ...” John began with the words, “have any of the rulers” or “are there certain or particular ones belonging to the commanders, leaders, chiefs or magistrates” “or of the Pharisees” which means “or particular ones of the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life”. John shared how the religious leaders continued to question the “officers” by referring how many of the “commanders and leaders” did the following.

The verse goes on to say, “... believed on him?” John continued with the word, “believed” which means “trusted in, were persuaded of and placed confidence” “on him” or “in Jesus”? John shared how the religious leaders wanted to know if there were any of the “leaders” who “trusted in, relied upon and clung to” Jesus.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how the “religious leaders” continued to question the “officers” by asking whether they knew of any particular “Pharisees” that “believed” in Jesus. Their answer would be “none”, but this in no means meant that Jesus was not worthy of trust. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their life to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Let all who read these words believe in Jesus regardless of whether other “religious leaders” “believed”.

Next time John shares how the Pharisees say, “this people who know not the law are cursed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".