The people of Jesus' time were looking for a Messiah, but a Messiah of their own design. We forget sometimes, that the Jewish people of every generation were waiting for the promised Messiah.
Jesus even mentions in this passage that he is aware of the attention paid to the Scriptures to try and figure out who the Messiah might be. Jesus also tells them that a reading of the Scriptures leads to him. Unfortunately, they wanted someone who would be a military leader and Jesus wasn't it.
What are we looking for when we think about Jesus?
You and I both know that people show up every once in a while proclaiming that they are the Messiah. They will lead us to God if only we listen to them and follow them without question. Often these people have caused damage to the lives of their followers, and some of their followers have lost their lives.
There is only one Messiah, Jesus. If we believe that he is sent by the Father in order that we might be saved and also to teach us the way to the Father, then we need to pay attention to his word and not to the words of others claiming to know a better way.
