First comparison:
25 Now some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is not this the man whom they are trying to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, but they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Messiah? 27 Yet we know where this man is from; but when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.”
First is a question of origin. Some stated that the origin of the Messiah would be a mystery. Were they lying or were they starting a PR campaign that still rages today, one that questions the validity of Jesus being the Christ? More than likely a bit of both. Later in the chapter, they know the family and birthplace of the Messiah (see verse 42), so there must have been deception or ignorance.
Second Comparison:
31 Yet many in the crowd believed in him and were saying, “When the Messiah comes, will he do more signs than this man has done?”
Second we see the question of miracles. The first thing I want you to notice is that there is a reason for making this comparison. If Jesus had done no miracles would this even come up? No. This shows that the miracles of Jesus had gained broad acclaim and were well known. Their question is also a testimony to the type of miracles he had done. They were so powerful that, as the text says, many believed. This threatened the Chief Priests and Pharisees so much they sent guards to arrest Him.
Third Comparison:
40 When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, “This is really the prophet.” 41 Others said, “This is the Messiah.” But some asked, “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? 42 Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” 43 So there was a division in the crowd because of him.
Finally, on the last day of the feast, Jesus beckons all who are thirsty to come to Him. These words provoke a response from the people. Some call Him "The Prophet," others say that He is the "Messiah." The Prophet was believed to be a forerunner to the Messiah. And of course, others believed He was the Messiah. In either case, Jesus claims and miracles linked Him to prophecies about the Messiah in the minds of the People.
Why is this important? Can you think of anyone living today to whom you would even consider making these comparisons? I believe there are many in America who are looking for a Messiah. They are being fed lofty expectations that American life should be a Nirvana and that it is a goal that can be accomplished. They seek for that one person who will fundamentally change America into this Oasis of safety, peace, and prosperity. Yet they have no one who they can look to. Why do they not look to Jesus? Because of the same reasons the doubters gave in the passage. They question His origin and purpose, yet they cannot doubt His work. Even secular historians mark Jesus as being compared to the prophesied Christ (see Josephus). It is His work on the cross alone that can give so many what they seek, but they still search in vain for a messiah that will never come.
