The handle
Have any of the authorities believed in him? Any of the Pharisees? (John 7, 48)
Several people who had been listening to Jesus said, ‘Surely he must be the prophet’, and some said, ‘He is the Christ’, but others said, ‘Would the Christ be from Galilee? Does not scripture say that the Christ must be descended from David and come from the town of Bethlehem?’ So the people could not agree about him. Some would have liked to arrest him, but no one actually laid hands on him. The police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, ‘Why haven’t you brought him?’ The police replied, ‘There has never been anybody who has spoken like him.’ ‘So’ the Pharisees answered ‘you have been led astray as well? Have any of the authorities believed in him? Any of the Pharisees? This rabble knows nothing about the Law – they are damned.’ One of them, Nicodemus – the same man who had come to Jesus earlier – said to them, ‘But surely the Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man without giving him a hearing and discovering what he is about?’ To this they answered, ‘Are you a Galilean too? Go into the matter, and see for yourself: prophets do not come out of Galilee.’(John 7, 40-53)
The proud believe they know everything and therefore can judge their opponents without appeal. This unfounded presumption leads them to persevere in errors even denying reality if it differs from their ideas. By doing so, they prevent God from entering their heart. In fact, the door to our hearts has only one handle that is turned inwards and, therefore, can only be opened by us. Jesus said he stands at the door and knocks. Only if you open it to Him will He be able to enter. Ask yourself sincerely if you are going to open the door of your heart to Jesus today.