February 17, 2026 | Be Connected
Confusion Over the Identity of Jesus
Scripture: John 7:10-20(NIV)
10 However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”
12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.”
Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” 13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.
14 Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 15 The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”
16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”
20 “You are demon-possessed,” the crowd answered. “Who is trying to kill you?”
Devotional
In the old game show, “To Tell the Truth,” celebrity panelists questioned three contestants to determine which one of them is telling the truth about having an unusual occupation. In another old show, “What’s My Line?” celebrity panelists questioned one contestant to figure out that person’s occupation. You can tell how I spent my childhood.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus seems caught in a perpetual game show, with celebrity panelists (Jewish religious leaders) pummeling Him with questions and accusations about His true identity. A few of them are in today’s passage.
Some said, “He is a good man.” Others chided, “He is a deceiver.”
But the most pointed accusation was aimed at Jesus directly, “You are demon-possessed” This indictment was leveled at Jesus again later, after He had healed a man born blind. Unimpressed, many of the celebrity panelists said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?” (John 10:20).
How could people be so confused to mistake the Son of God who was filled with the Spirit for a raving lunatic who was possessed by demons? Something seems off here.
Or does it? When confronted with Jesus, there really is no middle ground. Either you believe He is God incarnate, or you don’t. Either you see Him as the Savior of the world, or you don’t. Either you follow Him as the Lord of your life, or you don’t.
While it may seem kinder and gentler to call him a good man than a demonic man, both are a complete miss from seeing Him as the Son of God. While it may be less harsh to call him deceptive than raving mad, both are a far cry from acknowledging Him as the perfect Lamb of God.
Will the real Jesus please stand up?
