“Who does He think He is?” Could very well be the question Jesus’ brothers were asking when the feast happened in Jerusalem and He said He would not go now, but later. They were very sarcastic as they suggested, “…show yourself to the world.”
To my amazement, Jesus very patiently explained that His time had not yet come. I think I would have responded as sarcastically back to them.
Jesus did go later and then, Pharisees jumped all over Him. He talked about His Father and they challenged Him on every point. At one place, towards the end of the festival, He cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
The crowd divided between those who would listen and those who ridiculed. The Pharisees never let up as they went after Him with question after question, trying to stump Him.
Wow! Talk about tension!
The Pharisees were first mad that someone from a Podunk town, (in their view—and why did they not investigate Jesus’ well documented birth?) who didn’t have formal education, (taught by them) could speak with such authority and sway crowds.
Wouldn’t that make you wonder, too? I’ve always thought the Pharisees were such bad people. And, maybe they were—national leaders can get drunk on power and money—and then they have to defend their position any way they can to stay in power.
Also, they were looking for an earthly king to overthrow the Roman rule and set them up on easy street. Instead, they got an eternal King, overthrowing the sin in their hearts forever. While they looked for easy street, did they miss eternity?
As I read this chapter, I have to wonder what my thoughts would be if Jesus were born today and began making the claims He did then. Would I do the research required to discover who Jesus really is, and not just wander around the arena (probably where He was speaking), changing my opinions with every group I happened to overhear?
How about you?
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