Day 946: It's no conspiracy - John 7 vs 25 - 36

25-27 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 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? But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 28-29 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. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.”

30-31 So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?” 32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. 33-34 Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” 35-36 The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and you will not find me’, and, ‘Where I am you cannot come’?” John 7:25-36 English Standard Version

Suspicion and conspiracy theories are not a new thing. What were the people beginning to think when they saw how the authorities in Jerusalem were responding to Jesus? (vs 25-27)

It had obviously become public knowledge that there was a price on Jesus' head, yet even though He was preaching openly in the temple area, no arrest had been made. So the people were puzzled and speculating among themselves as to what was going on. Part of their confusion was because it was thought by many that Jesus was from Nazareth. What is the important point Jesus makes about their speculating? (vs 28-29)

The Old Testament prophet Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. So while the earthly place where Jesus came from was important as a fulfilment of prophecy, what is more important is where He ultimately came from! Jesus’ words clearly referred to having come from His Father in Heaven.

The discussions and rumours among the people forced the authorities hand and they “sent officers to arrest him.” (vs 32) So Governments using force to attempt to stop God's truth from spreading is also not a new thing! It led to Jesus making another cryptic statement which caused further speculation. What are the implications of His words in vs 33-34?

We see from vs 35-36 how the crowd, once again, were only thinking in physical terms. Did Jesus plan to get out of Jerusalem and find refuge in safer regions ? But, as before, they were missing the deeper significance of His words and the spiritual truth He was speaking of. Later in this gospel John describes how Jesus explained this truth to His disciples. Here's what He said to them:

“I am going to him who sent me . . . very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” (John 16:5-11)

The life of Jesus Christ, and all that He taught and did, are not a conspiracy theory that began 2000 years ago. They are true facts of history which those who told them to the world were willing to die for. But men and women need the work of God's Holy Spirit to see the significance of the truth about Jesus. Have you come to know where He came from, and where He went after He rose from the grave. Happy the man or woman who knows that truth, and who has believed on Jesus for salvation.