Episode 52 - When Christ comes, will he do more than this one? John 7:25-31

John 7:25   Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? 27 But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 28 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” 30 So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”

Notice the ironic humor here. A few verses earlier Jesus asks the Jews “Why do you seek to kill me?” And the response is, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” They are denying it and insinuating that Jesus is demon-possessed or crazy to save face. But the crowd clearly knows what is happening. They say, “Is this not the man whom they seek to kill?” It would seem that Jesus has appeared in the temple at a time when he could reveal their motives and inconsistencies and would cause the crowd to question their complaints against him. The people recognize that they are not following through when they have an opportunity. In other words, if they had a legitimate accusation, they should arrest him. Instead, it causes them to wonder if they know that he really is the Christ (Messiah). 

Unfortunately, even these people resort to their own reason and sense of wisdom and conclude that he cannot be the Christ. Jesus’ response here is interesting, “You know me, and you know where I come from.” Is he speaking about their knowledge that he grew up in Nazareth and, like Nathaniel’s original doubt whether “anything good” could come from Nazareth or is he suggesting that they’ve witnessed enough of his teaching and his miracles that they “know” his heavenly origin? Given the occasions of which John, the author, uses double-entendre, I’m inclined to believe he meant both. But, his words that follow lead us to understand he is focusing on his divine origin. He says, “I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” He’s speaking of God the Father, not Nazareth. But, I think Jesus is saying, “You know enough about me to believe my words. You know that my earthly home has been in Nazareth. But, you’ve witnessed the miracles and know my true origin is from the Father in heaven. Remember that Nicodemus already said, “We know that you are from God.”

Jesus’ indictment that they did not know the one who sent him apparently ignited their pride because they sought to arrest him. But, they could not. John says that “no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.” Imagine what that might have looked like. Jesus is within sight and perhaps within their grasp. But, they could not take him. How did they reconcile that among themselves? It’s humorous to consider. 

Verse 31 is a breath of fresh air at the end of this crazy scene. John writes that “Many believed in him.” They said, “When Christ comes, will he do more signs than this man has done?” Some people were accepting God’s revelation over their own reason. This is the essence of faith. This is what is required of us and what we are to invite others to do when we share the message of who Jesus is and what he has done on the cross.