John 8:22

The Jewish leaders mock him out loud. “What is this madman saying?” they say, “‘I am going to kill myself?’ What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?” John 8:22 EFP 

This odd and somewhat snarky reaction from the Jewish authorities helps confirm exactly what Jesus has just said about people looking for him and still managing to die in their sins. I can almost hear the Jewish leaders there present amongst the throng sarcastically mocking Jesus statement “where I go you cannot come.” (6:21 NIV)

The Jewish authorities follow Jesus everywhere. They listen to his every word. They ask questions and pay close attention to his answers. They travel long hours over dusty roads and sacrifice their time to hear his message. For what? Appearances? Curiosity? Contempt? Many are simply trying to catch him in some compromising statement or situation. Regardless of their reason for following him, they have no intention of believing in him. That’s the key. I can conceivably spend all my days “following” Jesus by doing the right things, going to the right places, convincing all the right people, yet failing to come to the point of belief in Jesus as the Son of God and Lord of my life. That requires a step into the realm of faith. It is not under the controllable facets of my life. It is not neat and tidy. Making that choice can throw my entire life into upheaval and chaos. Yet the danger of not taking that step into the unknown is certain and ultimate failure and an inevitable and final death even as I may gain accolades and power in my personal and professional religious circles. It’s a choice between what I can possessed and what can possess me—the tangible versus the spiritual realm.