JOHN 7:25-31 A QUESTION OF FAITH

25 At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? 26 Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Christ? 27 But we know where this man is from; when the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.”

28 Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, 29 but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.”

30 At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. 31 Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, “When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?”

In the face of that which we do not understand it is natural to ask questions, but it is how we frame our question that reveals our inner attitude. Under such circumstances there are basically two types of questions, those of faith and those of rebellion. The seventh chapter of John demonstrates the difference. Those in rebellion couch their question in terms of doubt, “How can he be the Messiah if we know where he comes from?” In contrast, those of faith ask, “How can he not be the Messiah when he has done so many miracles?” Both groups are confronted by the unknown. However, one group seeks to understand while the other seeks to dismiss.

What is it about Jesus that you do not understand? Since he is revealed as the Incarnate Son, the Risen and Ascended Christ, the Atoning Sacrifice for our sins, and much more, there is a lot that we are not capable of understanding on our own. How you couch your questions indicates whether or not you are open to the truth. In general, negatively formulated questions reveal a negative attitude, while positively stated questions indicate an openness to the truth. Wouldn’t it have been better for Eve to have reworded the serpent’s question in the garden from, “God really didn’t mean that, did he?” to “I wonder why God doesn’t want us to eat from this tree?” While the serpent’s question dismissed God and his will, the second seeks God in order to understand him and his will. It is really a question of faith.

Lord God, there is so much that I do not understand about the things around me, let alone about you. May your Spirit guide me in all my questions so that I might ever be seeking to know you better and never be found to be trying to dismiss your will. Give me a humble, seeing and inquisitive mind as I encounter your Word. Grow my faith so that I might grow in my understanding and obedience. Amen.