Contemplative Bible Reading

John 7:30 (New Living Translation)

30 Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.

This is one of those statements that make no sense upon close examination. Here is Jesus in the Temple area. Everyone sees him. Everyone knows him. Jesus is not hiding from anyone.

Here are the leaders. They are in charge. They are like the Mayors or Town Council of the Temple area. They have a law enforcement group. They can arrest and detain people who are violating the laws of the Temple. This is a Jewish area the Romans ignored.

How can these leaders “try” to arrest Jesus, but fail? Who stopped them? What was happening? Huh?

My explanation: this is a miracle. There are many events recorded in the Bible of miracles. 180,000 people die overnight. The first-born of Egypt die in one night. Jesus was in a crowd and walked through it without anyone touching him. And this case is similar. It is like the police arrive, look right a Jesus, and time freezes. Jesus walks right past them as they cannot do the simplest thing.

God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. Yes. I believe it happens right in front of us every day. Praise God.