John 10:31-42
31The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32Jesus replied, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?" 33The Jews answered, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God." 34Jesus answered, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, you are gods'? 35If those to whom the word of God came were called 'gods'—and the scripture cannot be annulled—36can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, 'I am God’s Son'? 37If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. 38But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." 39Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.
40He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. 41Many came to him, and they were saying, "John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true." 42And many believed in him there.
4 comments:
We've definitely picked up the lectionary in a difficult spot. We are right smack in the middle of the theological apologetics. Why do we believe in Christ? What makes us certain? What things keep us questioning? Apologetics is the way Christian respond to the questions of non believers. And, it is both a question of theological education for the evidence of God and Christ as well as a deeply personal question...where do you see God. In Paul's letters he challenges us to always be ready and willing to give an account of the hope that is within you. I think that is the most important thing we can glean from this passage. How do we know it is Christ. Because Christ is our hope. Why is Christ our hope...I have my answer what is yours.
Well, I just wrote like a whole book for yesterday's post so I'll just follow that up with a very short answer to your question. Jesus is my hope because, while there have been many, many Divinely inspired prophets and teachers from every corner of the earth and we can learn much from any and all, only one man was able to make a complete breakthrough in Truth to the Way of Life that God created us to live. And that man was Jesus.
I got caught up in Rev. Jill's comment about this passage and looked into the description of theological apologetics. Interesting reading. As I understand it apologetics are basically (a simplistic def.) a defense of the nature of Christianity. Does God exist? Is Jesus his son sent to earth to live as man? How can I say that I have a relationship with God? How can I explain or justify the teachings and actions from the Bible? So if I understand this correctly - we as Christians are called on to explain our faith.
My question is how/when do 'I' do this? Are my actions enough - if I try to live a good Christian life? What does it mean to live a good Christian life? Do I wait until questioned or do I go and share my beliefs? What if an opportunity presents itself and I deny my faith by not speaking up? If I wear a cross and display my faith is that part of the process? Can an individual live up to this challenge and still live a 'regular' life with all of the day to day demands? What happens if someone asks me a question I can't answer? What does it mean if I question my beliefs or my faith? What does that say about me?
Seems this opened an introspective moment for me. Thanks for the thought provoking passage, now I just need to figure a few things out. . .
Janet,
It is easy to get bogged down by these big questions. But, remember it is not our call to have all the answers just one answer...where is my own personal hope?
Hope that helps. Way to engage!
Jill
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