"We have never heard anyone speak like this!"
I am a bit excited by today’s passage. This scene in particular: Some soldiers were tasked to arrest Jesus. They went off to do their job. However, they returned to their bosses empty-handed.
When asked why they did not arrest Jesus, they answered: Have you heard the way He talks? We’ve never heard anyone speak like this man. Jesus was changing lives. He was meeting each of these people at their point of need.
The soldiers’ assessment stands true to this day. No one has ever, in all history, made claims and statements like Jesus had. Such audacity. Such boldness. Such confidence. Such truth.
Consider these words of Jesus from John 7 and 8:
“My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.”
“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”
“Neither do I [condemn you]. Go and sin no more.”
“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
“You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”
Who else has said words like those? No one. These words, when heard, can stop people in their tracks. Words like those change the course of action, just as had happened to the soldiers.
There are many things that shout louder than Jesus. Many negative reports. Of dark outlook and worrisome times. But no one talks like Jesus. Now pay attention to Him.