Lord, grant us your forgiveness, and set us free from our enslavement to sin. Amen
John 10:31-42The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods”‘? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power.
He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.”And many there began to believe in him.
Today we hear the words of Jesus proclaiming that he is the Son of God. We know that people oftentimes have bad experiences when speaking the truth about their faith. Jesus asks the tough question - for which of my good works do you stone me? His distracters say that they only object to his blasphemy. To which he replies, “your laws say “you are gods.” Here Jesus is referring to judges who, in ancient Israel, were referred to as gods because they were selected for a specific task by God. We know Jesus was sent by God to deliver salvation for mankind. Thus Jesus explains to individual members of the crowd, at different levels, that his ministry here on earth is for the good of mankind. But again - they would not listen.
I know listening is a particular failing of mine. I have a very difficult time listening, truly listening. And I wonder if you have similar experiences. If we cannot listen to those around us, how can we expect to hear the words of Jesus? Quiet, contemplative study of the Bible and associated works will help us to learn and practice the forgotten art to slooow down….and listen.
Most forgiving Lord, again and again you welcome us back into your loving arms. Grant us freedom from the heavy burdens of sin that weigh us down and help us to listen to and experience your love, which transcends all understanding. Amen
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