There is so much to unpack in this reading. However, take a moment to just sit with what you just read and let everything that happened in these few verses replay in your head. Who is Jesus? Is he the Messiah?
For those in Jesus’ day, the answer to that question would depend on who you asked. Have you ever imagined yourself as one of those in the crowd, having seen Jesus or having heard about His miraculous signs? The word of mouth must have been terrific since there were no news headlines or social media announcements to spread the word. Do you think you would have recognized the Messiah?
Jesus is the Messiah. That’s a huge concept and truth to grasp, no matter when we live. We even have our own preconceived notions about who Jesus the Messiah is and when we will see him again. We also have God’s Word to reveal who Jesus is and to confirm that nobody but God knows when we’ll see Jesus face to face. What is your understanding of what makes Jesus the Messiah? He was divinely appointed by God for his mission, fulfilling prophecy and the promises of God. Jesus even tells us he was sent by God.
I’ve always pondered over how egotistical these religious leaders were. They thought they were so much better than the masses, including Jesus. Some pastors these days tend to be on the arrogant side, and, in general, people tend to expect more from pastors as if they are special or something. From my perspective as a pastor’s wife, pastors are flawed members of humanity like the rest of us. The difference for pastors is that God has called them to shepherd and teach the sheep, and they have listened obediently. These religious leaders had a responsibility, too, but it seems they were blindly leading the people, focusing only on the law and their own traditions.
The leaders were infuriated with what Jesus was doing in the temple, teaching people with boldness. Don’t you love how Jesus addresses the very issues the people had been grumbling about? His message was direct, and Jesus shot down the Pharisees and priests who had called for his arrest. It wasn’t yet Jesus’ time, and Jesus was able to diffuse the situation by impressing the temple guards to ignore their orders.
Did it surprise you that people had very different expectations about who the Messiah was and how he would appear? Was there anything that surprised you about the exchanges?
For me, it was Jesus’ words to the Pharisees, “You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going.” Did Jesus just tell them they’d never be welcome in His kingdom? Their preoccupation with abiding in the law kept them from abiding in the Son, the true way to understand where Jesus was going. We don’t want to make the same mistake and be blinded by the lies of the world. 1 John 2:28 says, “And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.”
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, you are my redeemer and friend. You are the Messiah, the anointed one, and I worship you. My mind cannot begin to understand the agony you went through seeing your people and the religious leaders, blind to your identity. You were not afraid to call them out as not belonging to you. I am so thankful to be your child, abiding in you. I am not ashamed but only awed by you. Draw me close to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
