A group of people is upset with Jesus. They are God-defenders. He’s saying he’s God’s son. That would make him more important than they are. They would have to listen to everything he says. Their entire world would have to change.

So they are upset with Jesus.

He knows they are upset, but there isn’t much he can do about it. He knows who he is, so he can’t say, “wait, you’re right. I’m just a half-son. I’m just a quarter-son. I’m just a nice person.”

And, truth be told, they aren’t anxious for conversation, they are ready for debate. Conversation would be about understand. Debate is about who has the better case, the better proofs, the stronger arguments. It’s not about who has a broken leg, a broken heart.

So Jesus talks to them in debate terms.

He points out that the work he’s doing is God kind of work. Healings, forgiving, telling people about the kingdom, that’s what a God would do.

He points out that if they were listening, they would have heard voices from heaven. The voices have been there, their ears have not.

He points out that they think that they know the Scriptures so well they believe their knowledge will save their lives.

He points out that if they read closely, that Scripture talks about him, but they won’t see it.

He points out that even Moses talks about him, and because they don’t see that connection, they really don’t understand Moses.

These words of Jesus were addressed to religious people, the people who were ignoring him. That’s why he points to miracles, God’s voice, the scriptures, and Moses and says, “Your trusted sources point to me.”

The people with broken legs and hearts didn’t bring debate books. They brought their pain. They believed.