“The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him.33 Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. 34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” 35 The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” John 7.32-36
When he wants to be, Jesus is a hard man to lay hold of. Whereas he is now accessible to all people who have faith and turn to him for salvation, redemption and forgiveness, during this public ministry, he was allusive, sometimes hidden, and secretive.
For example, if Jesus didn’t want to be found, caught or captured, he wouldn’t be. Many times he is seen walking through an angry mob untouched “because his time had not yet come.” In this passage it says the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest Jesus but nothing happened. The command just kind of fizzles out because human activity can not circumvent God’s activity unless God allows it.
Another example is when Jesus tells them he is going to a place where they can not go, and where they cannot come. Of course we know this is heaven but for those listening, they had not a clue (to be fair, we have the whole story in front of us and they hand only a piece.) Jesus was again alluding humanity by retreating into heaven — what a great idea! He was telling them that one day soon he would be distant from them in a place they could not follow. Jesus’ time on earth was limited to thirty-three years, and only three of those in public ministry.
God’s great promise to humanity although is not be allusive. He doesn’t prevent the honest seeker from finding him. He doesn’t prevent the innocent child, the humble sinner, and ready heart from finding salvation in his arms. Jesus welcomes all sinners into the fold. He does not welcome those who reject him and choose to live in their sin rather than to seek holiness.
Jesus’ allusive nature ceased at the cross where he laid his life bear for all to behold. His suffering, death and resurrection made him assessable all who would believe. As he says in Matthew 11.28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laiden and I will give you rest.”
Isn’t it good news to know we have a God who welcomes sinners? We don’t have to be perfect in order to come to him, only sincere in our repentance and willingness to be used for his glory and his gain.
Come to Jesus today. Come to his altar. Allow his grace to flow over you so that you might come to know an allusive God made real.
“Jesus, thank you for loving your people. Thank you for the love that you show and for the ability we have to come before you with our hearts in our hands, asking for your grace. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill us with goodness and compassion so others might come and see your power, love and mercy. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen
