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- Apr 25, 2006
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20 October 2007
John 10 v 31-38
Again the Jews picked up stones to kill Jesus. But he said to them, "I have done many good works from the Father. Which of these good works are you killing me for?" The Jews answered, "We are not killing you because of any good work you did, but because you speak against God. You are only a human, but you say you are the same as God!"
Jesus answered, "It is written in your law that God said, 'I said, you are gods.' This Scripture called those people gods who received God's message, and Scripture is always true. So why do you say that I speak against God because I said, 'I am God's Son'? I am the one God chose and sent into the world. If I don't do what my Father does, then don't believe me. But if I do what my Father does, even though you don't believe in me, believe what I do. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
Often in John's Gospel, when he speaks of "the Jews", he's referring to the religious leaders of the time - the Pharisees and Sadducees, rather than the people as a race.
These leaders were very deeply ingrained in their teachings, rules, regulations, laws and traditions. They just couldn't handle someone who challenged all that, especially in such a public and outrageous way. No matter what Jesus said, they couldn't get their heads round the concept that this peasant carpenter could actually be the Son of God - and worse - God himself! His teachings simply didn't fit in with theirs. The things he said didn't gel with what they had said and done for many years. All they could see was an ungodly, disrespectful upstart - a blasphemer.
Jesus gives them a straightforward challenge. If they don't believe what he says, look at what he does. I suppose he could say "I talk the talk - but do I walk the walk?" Jesus' words go hand in hand with his actions. For him, he couldn't have one without the other.
I want to challenge you today. Are you so stuck in your traditions and ideas that you're not wiling to hear anything new Jesus has to say to you? Do you back up the words with action? Don't just tell people God loves them - show them!
Change isn't easy, Jesus, I don't really like my world being rocked too much. Familiar is comfortable - but I don't want being comfortable to be more important than responding to you. Help me be willing to leave my comfort zone, Lord, whether it's being ready to hear a truth I'd rather not hear - or put my faith into action when I'd rather not bother. Amen
Written by Tracy Lambert
John 10 v 31-38
Again the Jews picked up stones to kill Jesus. But he said to them, "I have done many good works from the Father. Which of these good works are you killing me for?" The Jews answered, "We are not killing you because of any good work you did, but because you speak against God. You are only a human, but you say you are the same as God!"
Jesus answered, "It is written in your law that God said, 'I said, you are gods.' This Scripture called those people gods who received God's message, and Scripture is always true. So why do you say that I speak against God because I said, 'I am God's Son'? I am the one God chose and sent into the world. If I don't do what my Father does, then don't believe me. But if I do what my Father does, even though you don't believe in me, believe what I do. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
Often in John's Gospel, when he speaks of "the Jews", he's referring to the religious leaders of the time - the Pharisees and Sadducees, rather than the people as a race.
These leaders were very deeply ingrained in their teachings, rules, regulations, laws and traditions. They just couldn't handle someone who challenged all that, especially in such a public and outrageous way. No matter what Jesus said, they couldn't get their heads round the concept that this peasant carpenter could actually be the Son of God - and worse - God himself! His teachings simply didn't fit in with theirs. The things he said didn't gel with what they had said and done for many years. All they could see was an ungodly, disrespectful upstart - a blasphemer.
Jesus gives them a straightforward challenge. If they don't believe what he says, look at what he does. I suppose he could say "I talk the talk - but do I walk the walk?" Jesus' words go hand in hand with his actions. For him, he couldn't have one without the other.
I want to challenge you today. Are you so stuck in your traditions and ideas that you're not wiling to hear anything new Jesus has to say to you? Do you back up the words with action? Don't just tell people God loves them - show them!
Change isn't easy, Jesus, I don't really like my world being rocked too much. Familiar is comfortable - but I don't want being comfortable to be more important than responding to you. Help me be willing to leave my comfort zone, Lord, whether it's being ready to hear a truth I'd rather not hear - or put my faith into action when I'd rather not bother. Amen
Written by Tracy Lambert
