John 7:46–The Words of Jesus The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. These men were either officers of the temple or of the Sanhedrin, the supreme council of the Jews. They had been sent on an important errand by the Pharisees and chief priests, which was to lay hold of the Lord Jesus Christ (v.32). The Jewish leaders were fearful of the fact that many were drawn to Jesus by His preaching and mighty deeds. The officers return empty-handed and their masters are puzzled. A surprising explanation is given. It is not that Jesus resisted arrest, or fled. It was not anything that He did – it was what He said. They had been greatly impressed. They say: “Never man spake like this man.” Perhaps it was the beginning of a true work of grace in their souls. Sadly the attitude of the Pharisees remained as proud and arrogant as ever (vv.47-49). There are many things which are unique about the words of Jesus Christ. One is their brevity. Some Bibles print what they reckon to be the words of Christ in red. It has been estimated that if all Christ’s words are put together they would comprise only sixteen pages. His longest recorded sermon may be read in ten minutes. Contrast this with the philosophers and thinkers of this world! Their utterances fill volumes and yet do not begin to approach the profundity of our Lord’s teachings. His words are truly weighty. Another feature of Christ’s words is their unparalleled beauty. Even unconverted men may be moved by the dignity and morality of the parables or famous sayings of the Son of God. We think of the Beatitudes, or the account of the Good Samaritan, or of the Prodigal Son. If this is all men see in the words of Christ though then they are still blind. They are still in their sins. Something much more than this affected these officers, such that they were willing to disobey their orders to seize hold of the Lord Jesus, even though it would likely cost them dear. What gives the words of Christ their real power? There is the simplicity of His preaching. We often forget this. The Lord ministered in a plain, direct and searching manner. His sermons or parables enforced a few important truths in a homely way that men could easily grasp. He spoke boldly to the conscience about the great issues of life, death, judgment and eternity. We are told that “the common people heard him gladly” (Mark 12:37). The apostles used “great plainness of speech” (2Cor.3:12). Preachers today should do the same. Notable too is the purity of His teaching. Christ always rebuked sin and He never excused it. He warned sinners to flee from the wrath to come and exhorted them to repentance. At the outset of His public ministry He said: “The kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). At its close He said that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his [own] name among all nations” (Luke 24:47). All His words were “wholesome words,” “doctrine which is according to godliness,” always designed to promote holiness of heart and life. These themes are often lacking in the sermons we hear now. Above all there was the grace of His words. He came into the world to save sinners. When He read the Scriptures at the service in Nazareth the people “wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth” (Luke 4:22). He read from Isaiah’s prophecy and then proclaimed Himself to be the One anointed to “preach the gospel to the poor.” How He spoke to the deepest needs of men’s hearts! He brought hope to the sinful, the weary and the lost. Think of the words the officers heard from His lips: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37). Gracious words! We point sinners to this all-sufficient Saviour today. Has the gospel of Christ been blessed to your soul?