The reaction of people who met Jesus during His earthly ministry was varied and profound, reflecting the diverse spectrum of human responses to divine revelation. The Gospels provide a rich tapestry of these encounters, each revealing different facets of Jesus' identity and mission, as well as the hearts of those who met Him. From awe and worship to skepticism and rejection, the responses to Jesus were as multifaceted as the people themselves.
One of the most common reactions to Jesus was amazement and awe. People were often struck by His authoritative teaching and miraculous deeds. In the Gospel of Mark, for example, we read, "They were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes" (Mark 1:22, ESV). This sense of astonishment is a recurring theme, as Jesus' words and actions consistently defied the expectations of the religious leaders and the common people alike.
The miracles of Jesus elicited particularly strong reactions. When Jesus healed the paralytic, the crowd was "amazed and glorified God, saying, 'We never saw anything like this!'" (Mark 2:12, ESV). Similarly, after Jesus calmed the storm, His disciples were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" (Mark 4:41, ESV). These reactions of amazement and fear underscore the recognition that Jesus was no ordinary teacher or healer; He possessed a divine authority that demanded a response.
Another significant reaction to Jesus was one of faith. Many people who encountered Jesus responded with a deep trust in His power and compassion. The woman with the issue of blood, for instance, believed that if she could only touch Jesus' garment, she would be healed. Her faith was rewarded, and Jesus commended her, saying, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease" (Mark 5:34, ESV). Similarly, the Roman centurion demonstrated remarkable faith when he told Jesus that He only needed to speak a word, and his servant would be healed. Jesus marveled at his faith and said, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith" (Matthew 8:10, ESV).
However, not all reactions to Jesus were positive. The religious leaders, in particular, often responded with skepticism, hostility, and outright rejection. They were threatened by Jesus' growing influence and His challenges to their authority. In the Gospel of John, we see the escalating tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, culminating in their plot to kill Him. John 11:53 states, "So from that day on they made plans to put Him to death" (ESV). Their reaction was rooted in a combination of fear, jealousy, and a refusal to accept the radical nature of Jesus' message.
Even among the general populace, there were those who rejected Jesus. In His hometown of Nazareth, the people took offense at Him, saying, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" (Mark 6:3, ESV). Their familiarity with Jesus' human origins blinded them to His divine nature, leading to unbelief. As a result, "He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief" (Mark 6:5-6, ESV).
The reaction of the disciples to Jesus was also complex and evolved over time. Initially, they were drawn to Him by His compelling call and the hope that He was the promised Messiah. As they spent more time with Jesus, they experienced moments of profound insight and moments of confusion. Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16, ESV), was a high point of revelation. However, this was followed by Peter's rebuke of Jesus when He spoke of His impending suffering and death, to which Jesus responded, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man" (Matthew 16:23, ESV). This illustrates the disciples' struggle to fully grasp the nature of Jesus' mission.
The ultimate reaction to Jesus is perhaps best encapsulated in the events of Holy Week. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem saw crowds shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:9, ESV). Yet, only days later, another crowd cried out, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" (Luke 23:21, ESV). This stark contrast highlights the volatile and often superficial nature of popular opinion, as well as the deep divisions Jesus' presence and message created.
In the post-resurrection appearances, we see a transformation in the reactions of Jesus' followers. The initial fear and doubt of the disciples gave way to joy and worship when they encountered the risen Christ. Thomas' declaration, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28, ESV), represents the culmination of the journey from doubt to faith. The disciples' encounters with the risen Jesus empowered them to become bold witnesses, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles.
Throughout Christian history, the reactions to Jesus have continued to mirror those recorded in the Gospels. C.S. Lewis famously articulated the trilemma that Jesus must be either a lunatic, a liar, or Lord. This framework underscores the necessity of a decisive response to Jesus' claims. In "Mere Christianity," Lewis writes, "You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."
In conclusion, the reactions of people who met Jesus were as diverse as the individuals themselves. From awe and faith to skepticism and rejection, these responses reveal the profound impact Jesus had on those who encountered Him. The Gospels invite us to consider our own response to Jesus, challenging us to move beyond mere admiration or intellectual assent to a transformative faith that recognizes Him as Lord and Savior.
