⁸ “… for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me.”

Enigmatic might be the way to describe how the disciples first saw Jesus, difficult to interpret, hard to understand—but refreshing, attractive. It began with the Baptist’s words, “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, 35-37). Then in Jesus’ first message at His hometown synagogue, He read from Isaiah 61:1-2, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” Clearly a messianic passage, Jesus concluded, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:18-19, 21). He laid out the credentials for identifying the Messiah, concluding, “That is me, I fulfill those qualifications.” He would go on to demonstrate exactly that, in His actions and in His teachings.

Years of living with the harsh realities of Roman taxation and repression and after numerous imposter-messiahs and would-be liberators, many in Israel were unimpressed by just words. What set Jesus apart was what He did, along with words that were wonderfully different than anyone had ever heard before. “All were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips…” (Luke 4:22). His miracles elicited similar responses, “After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’ ” (Mt 9:33). His supernatural works were unique, never before accomplished by anyone. The Pharisees were not able to discredit the testimony of those who had been touched by Jesus’ hand. As one person concluded, “Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. ‘If this man [Jesus] were not from God, He could do nothing’” (John 9:32–33).

The disciples were amazed just like everyone else. From the earliest times of Jesus’ ministry they left all to follow Him. Yet their comprehension grew from befuddlement (“Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?” Lk 8:25) to fuller comprehension (“We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God” John 6:69). Yes, as Jesus said to His Father, they had indeed come to know He was sent by God the Father.

Lord, help me to comprehend Your teachings and life more deeply that I may bring You greater glory in my world.