Matthew tells us by the birth of Jesus, that he is born as King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2).

In the Passion many mockingly refer to Jesus as King. They have no idea that here is the one who represents true kingship.

A kingship that is willingly at the service of others. Matthew 23:11: “The greatest among you shall be your servant.”

It is exciting to see how Jesus resolves the conflict with the angry people in John 8:

– Keep calm.

– Do not respond immediately with counter-arguments.

– Take your time. Take notes.

– Ask a reflective question.

– Give everyone the opportunity to withdraw elegantly from the discussion.

– Give them the opportunity to make a fresh start.

If you listen to Jesus properly, you will understand who he is. But whether you get involved with him is another question. People like to make decisions based on predispositions.

The incident in John 7 shows us this: in verse 31 the listeners recognise that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ) sent by God. The Pharisees, on the other hand, send their servants to bring him to them. They do not want to go to Jesus. The servants are unable to arrest him (verse 44). When they returned, they confessed: “No one ever spoke like this man!” (John 7:46).

Nicodemus says to the prejudiced Pharisees: “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” But their prejudice is clear: “No prophet arises from Galilee“. They don’t want to hear the real facts. They also argue that the elite do not believe him (verse 48).

Even today people make judgements about the Bible and Jesus without really listening or argue that no educated person believes today.

It is a decision not to engage with God at all. The other question is whether you want to accept Jesus for who he is. The Messiah sent by God – the Christ who brings us into a new relationship with the heavenly Father.

At the Feast of Tabernacles in the autumn, Jesus spoke to the participants. Some asked, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” (John 7:15).

Jesus replied, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood” (John 7:17-18).

Jesus points out two things:

Those who seek God discover how God speaks to us through the study of the Scriptures. Those who rebel against God are blocked.

Those who take themselves on focus and their scholarship are not speaking in God’s name.

The revealing of Scripture in daily life is the source of divine power and comfort.

“Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:56) – no wonder people distance themselves from Jesus.  “This is a hard saying” (John 6:60).

The context of John 6 is important. The listeners ask: What should we do? (28) Jesus replies: Believe in me (29). To which the listeners replied: How do you prove to us that you are the promised prophet? Moses gave us bread from heaven (30-31).

Now Jesus takes up this illustration. “I am the bread of life” (35).

Those who desire for a life with God receive Jesus into their lives and he becomes part of us, just as bread and drink feed our bodies.

Through us, the kingdom of God becomes visible.

Not all listeners understand the message of Jesus. They get stuck in the literal sense and do not understand the spiritual message.

Even if we (flesh and blood) do not understand everything, trust in Him (=faith) is the key.