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Rick’s thoughts:
1. Did the authorities (religious leaders) conclude that Jesus was the Messiah?
No, the religious leaders did not accept him as Messiah. We will see in many places in the Gospels where the religious leaders “test” Jesus about his knowledge trying to trick him. They refused to believe in him and when he chased out the money changers at the Temple, they asked him,” by what authority did he do such acts?” (John 2:13-17).
The temple scene in 11:27-12:44 lies sandwiched between bookends—the withered fig tree at the beginning (11:20-26) and the prophesied destruction of Jerusalem at the end (13:1-37)—the former portending the latter! The withered fig tree foreshadows Israel’s punishment for unbelief as finally made certain in chapter 13. The Temple scene in 11:27-12:44 demonstrates the reason for the impending judgment: the rejection of God’s Messiah.
2. This is another example of Jesus saying his time has not come. Do you recall when he said that before in the Gospel of John and WHEN his time did come?
The answers are Jesus said, “His time had not come,” (John 2:1-12). The “time comes at Jesus’s crucifixion. “Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.’” (John 12:23)
3. What do you think about the sentence, “When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man?”
Jesus could never satisfy those who do not believe. How many miracles will satisfy them? It is the same with people today who do not have faith. Also John 7:6-8 at the Feast of the Tabernacles. he crowd still did not understand who he was, probably thinking of him as a prophet.
4. How do you answer others who say their prayers are not being answered?
First, God never promised us happiness, He promised something much greater–eternal life through His Son. Second, God has his timing and purpose when answering prayer. Sometimes it is not in His plan to fulfill your request because He has another idea. I have seen prayers answered in ways not anticipated, but with greater effect.
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