Jesus’ words and deeds were meant to engender belief on the part of the people that he was the Messiah. For example, when the people asked him what they must do to be doing the works of God, Jesus replied: This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent (John 6:29).
One day, when he was agonizing over the Pharisees’ disbelief and having no one with whom to share his heart, Jesus looked down sadly over the city of Jerusalem. He wept as he lamented the fate of the Jewish people, whom God had so laboriously and lovingly guided for two thousand years. Jesus prophesied that the city would be so utterly laid waste that not one stone would be left upon another. He clearly pointed to the ignorance of the people, saying, “you did not know the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:44). On another occasion, Jesus lamented the stubbornness and disbelief of the people of Jerusalem, saying: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! (Matt. 23:37).
Jesus reproached the people who refused to believe in him, even though they were familiar with the Scriptures which testified to him: You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life (John 5:39-40). I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me . . . if you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me (John 5:43-46). |