John 7:25-27, Can the be the Christ?

25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill?  26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? 27 But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.”

Even the people know that their leaders seek to kill Jesus. The plan is not as covert as one would think. Yet the leaders cannot stop Jesus who speaks openly in the temple courts, probably drawing many people to hear his message. Perhaps their leaders are not stopping him because he really is the Christ.

Yet the people know his origin. He is the son of Mary and Joseph of Nazareth. Tradition says the Christ will suddenly appear and his origin will be unknown. What the people do not know is the true origin of the Word made flesh.

In your prayer time, try reading this prayer from the Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP p, 213)