John 7:25-31 (ESV)

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?”

The people from the crowds in Jerusalem realized that something was amiss. They knew the religious leaders were plotting to execute Jesus, but they didn’t do anything about it when he taught openly. The people asked one another, “Do you think the religious leaders know he is the Messiah?” Maybe the authorities sat down and realized Jesus was who he claimed to be. The duplicity demonstrated by the religious leaders of Israel confused the people. If Jesus was a liar or a lunatic, then get rid of him. But if he really was the Christ, then they needed to listen to him. But almost as quickly as they proposed the notion that Jesus actually was the Messiah, they shut the suggestion back down. They reminded themselves that when the Christ appeared none would know where he came from. Where did they get that idea? Rabbis taught that when the Messiah would come, he would basically appear out of nowhere. He would arrive suddenly to deliver the nation from bondage. So Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah, because they knew Jesus was from Nazareth. It’s funny, but the reader of John’s Gospel knows the truth behind Jesus’ origins. He was in the beginning with God. Jesus didn’t begin his public ministry until his last three years of life. The people missed what was right in front of them.

Jesus responded by literally crying out and exposing their foolishness. They thought they knew him and where he came from, but they had no idea what they were talking about and no clue about who sent him. Not only did they fail to recognize that Jesus was sent from God, but missing Jesus the Christ evidenced that they didn’t know God at all. This all must have been exhausting for Jesus! It’s frustrating just to read about it. Nevertheless, he continued to work with them. As we see in verse 31, suddenly, many did end up “getting it,” and they believed. How thankful we should be for the great patience of our God! Where would you be if Jesus hadn’t intervened in your life by removing the blinders from your eyes and allowing you to see? If someone you love just isn’t getting it, hang in there. Keep praying for her and talking to her about Jesus. You never know when she too might “suddenly” believe.