Division, Because of Him

So there was a division in the crowd because of Him.

- John 7

So what else is new? Since the time of Christ, there have been divisions, because of Him. When it comes to the very Source of Life, to the Person that can grant us the thing we want more than anything else: eternal life - we find ourselves in conflict against one another, because of Him.

Why? Christ taught humility, and putting others first! Shouldn't the fundamental attitude on the way to winning the fundamental prize, be evident everywhere? Why do we find believers in Christ, angry at one another? He was as a lamb before the shearers: making not a sound in protest. He ignored government. He was against divisiveness. He lived to serve.

Why the arguments?

Well, we see one particular group of people still stirring up the crowds: the "educated." The Scribes and Pharisees pointed this out. The crowds were not educated. they were ignorant. They were sure the people had been "deceived," (and which one of us actually enjoys being told by a college-educated guy that we are being "deceived"?)

Arrogant people always rest on their "knowledge" (the Tree of Knowledge is key to the downfall of humanity). Trust in your knowledge, in your smarts . . . the same hated Christ, They have the knowledge, the power, and the money.

(Ask me how much regard I care to give to the educated.)

It is the same today. These talking heads, these Ivy League-educated; these college professors and wealthy business magnates. We want to impress them because we believe they can do some nice things for us.

But they are the deceivers. Listen to the humble mechanic or blue-collar worker around you. They have true wisdom.

God laughs at all of it. Avoid dividers. Avoid the educated.

And sit in the quiet shadow of The Carpenter.