You know where I come from?

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.” 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.” 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?”

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I find it so interesting how the religious authorities went after Jesus. It seems that even people outside of the inner circles of authority knew that Jesus had a proverbial target on his back. It speaks volumes to me about the atmosphere in Judea that day and the audiences that Jesus spoke to. Despite the threats and the danger the Lord pressed on because he understood that his mission was not earthly but heavenly. He saw past the danger and to those that would believe his message. He trusted his Father to protect him.

That last sentence of our passage is so revealing. In essence the people who believed in Jesus were saying that they believed because they of what they saw with their eyes. I wonder how many of those fell away when they saw Jesus crucified? One has to really wonder if they really knew him at all? My thinking is that their understanding was superficial at best. Knowing Jesus has never been about his miracles but about his love. The miracles were a demonstration of his love and compassion. Miracles always have been about love.

Help me to see with an inner eye Lord. Help me to look not on what is seen but is unseen.