So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews ....At this point it's clear that Jesus was in real danger. John creates suspense here; it feels almost like the penultimate scene from a movie, right before the protagonist emerges from the site of a previous defeat to stage a triumphant comeback. (I suppose the fact that I just watched The Fighter may have something to do with my reading of this passage.)
Many went up from the country to Jerusalem
before Passover to purify themselves.
They looked for Jesus and said to one another
as they were in the temple area, “What do you think?
That he will not come to the feast?”
We know that Jesus is about to emerge from hiding and make his triumphant ride into Jerusalem; he will be hailed as a hero, as the Messiah and Savior that the Jews have been waiting for. Yet within a week he will be tried, convicted and killed—sort of the reverse outcome of the classic hero story.
This moment, when the crowds are whispering and wondering about Jesus, sets the stage. What's behind the whispers? Are the people anxious to see Jesus? Are they disappointed? Are they frightened? Some probably feel vindicated, that he would hide rather than fight. For the same reason, others probably feel despondent. What Messiah would hide?
Who would I be in that crowd? I might have a clue how to answer that question if I consider my own actions at times when I witness (or take part in) challenges to Jesus' message. If I'm honest, I have to say I'm not always proud of how I respond in those moments. How often can I say that I'm truly courageous, or that I show steadfast belief?
I pray for belief in unlikely heroes, for patience when the answer I'm looking for doesn't seem forthcoming, and for courage to take risks in practicing my faith.
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