Daily Good News – Recognising Jesus
May 21, 2015 1172
“Many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, ‘When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?’” (John 7:31).
The ordinary people recognised what the church leaders of the day refused to see. They took Jesus’ words and signs (his miracles) at face value. Here was a man who acted as they would expect God’s son to act.
They asked the right question because it was based on what Christ did, and not on a comparison of his teachings with their personal beliefs or what they had been taught from their traditions. They were yet to see the greatest of his miracles: that he loved the world enough to die as a criminal, that he would rise again as the Saviour of the world. But many of them had seen enough to know that Jesus was “the Anointed One of God”. Jesus told the messengers of John the Baptist to report what they saw and heard. He was the true presence of God in the world, showing what God was really like to those who were prepared to understand his message.
The Jewish hierarchy themselves had already shut the door on God because they had developed a religion that did not reflect God’s true will. And when Jesus came to show them the right way, they shut the door on him as well.
It is no different today. God’s message is clear. He has provided ample evidence for those whose hearts will open to him. Just as in Jesus’ day, some people will choose to recognise him and others will not. The Bible says: “Choose today whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
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