This chapter shows many different reactions to Jesus: "wonderful man", "fraud", "demon-possessed", "The Messiah", and "The Prophet". I see this as part of the answer to Christine's question about what the verses say about Christianity and how we apply this to modern life. We all make a decision about Jesus and who is is. The bottom line is that our decision has eternal consequences. In our modern life, we have access to all the information-the full spectrum of Jesus' life and miracles and word. We have all the facts. Yet, some still don't believe. This makes me more curious of those who chose to believe back then. Is it easier or harder now? Was it easier then, seeing things first hand? is it easier now since we have all of the information?

There is more on "self" in this chapter. Not only were people having different reactions to Jesus, but it goes deeper and demonstrates what those reactions were causing people to do. Jesus' brothers were kind of taunting him. The temple guards weren't sure who to believe and then acted with indecision. Nicodemus stood up for Him. The pharisees were so concerned with saving face and their pride that it interfered with their ability to reason and what was no longer right mattered. We really need to be aware at all times don't we? Aware of our reactions, behavior, decisions, how we treat others, Jesus speaking to us.