Monday 8th July
Read John 10:23-24
“Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered round him, saying, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’” (NIVUK)
How often have we been frustrated by either God’s answers or His timing? Richard Bauckham’s excellent book, ‘Jesus and the Eyewitnesses’ gives one a new appreciation of their role in the transmission of the gospel. As the questions about Jesus’ identity continue to mount along with opposition John recalls the details around one such interaction. He remembered that time had passed since the healing of the blind man and winter had fallen in Jerusalem. Another minor feast had begun and Jesus was strolling in the temple precincts, continuing to draw people to Him like moths to a light. Details such as this lend authenticity to the eyewitness reports and in turn give us confidence that this conversation occurred just as described.
The question being asked is just as strong a witness. All of the gospels record the reluctance of Jesus to announce Himself as the Messiah. Early in His ministry He quelled such enthusiastic witness because what the people filled the title ‘Messiah’ with bore no resemblance to how He would actually save them. Failure to fulfil their fantasy fits perfectly with their frustration! Many of us have read the gospels and been similarly frustrated by Jesus’ sometimes enigmatic answers… The days have shortened and they want something to happen. This eyewitness testimony rings completely true now as it did then – the patience required of those who would follow Jesus remains.
