“Then they sought to take Him—but no man laid hands on Him, because His hour was not yet come. And many of the people believed on Him and said, ‘When Christ comes, will He do more miracles than these, which this man has done?’ The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning Him—and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him.”
John 7:30-32
You never had to wonder where He stood on things—and others should never have to wonder about us either if we stand with Him.
“He’s deceived”. . . “No, He’s a deceiver”. . . “He’s deluded and deranged”. . . “Dangerous and divisive,” etc.
Such were the descriptions being thrown around by those who’d been watching and listening to Jesus. And, some of them (the Pharisees and chief priests) didn’t like it and wanted Him dead. Such is always the case when someone says something someone else don’t like—particularly when his/her comments tend to strip away the cloak of pretense and hypocrisy that surround them.
There were many who “believed on Him and said ‘When the Christ comes, will He do more miracles than these, which this Man has done’?”
That’s another reason the religious leaders didn’t like Him. He was getting too big of a following. And, the same is true today, if the truth be known. Jealousy and envy, which are rooted in insecurity, always rise up when one feels threatened. At first they try persuasion; then they try coercion and manipulation. And, if those failed, then it’s “Katie, bar the door” and a pulling out of all of the stops.
Going for the jugular. Gotta get him to shut up. Put him in his place. Outta sight, outta mind.
So, yes, Jesus was perceived and accused of being a dangerous and divisive imposter. A troublemaker. A narcissistic, seeking-His-own-glory, self-appointed ‘savior of the people.’
At least that’s what his distracters thought and said.
Both then and now.
And that’s why “they sought to take Him.” They weren’t concerned about His well-being or the well-being of the people. They were concerned about their own (Jn. 11:48). But, they’d make sure they didn’t let the masses know that—for such would tarnish their well-polished reputation and let people know what they really were: “White-washed sepulchers full of dead men’s bones” (Mt. 23:27).
Dear Pilgrim, if we are truly Jesus’ disciples, then we have no choice but to “deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him” (Lk. 9:23). If we truly believe He’s the “only begotten Son of God and the ONLY Way that leads to God” (Jn. 3:16; 14:6), then we cannot keep silent, regardless of the cost. We MUST stand firm and speak up; otherwise, we “crucify Him afresh and put Him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:6). May the Holy Spirit help us to be “bold believers” (Acts 4:13)—for a lost-and-dying world’s eternal destiny depends upon it.
August 7, 2011
