John 10:31-42
And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” – John 10:41
Sherlock Holmes, a detective character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said, “When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
For a second time, the Jews pick up stones to throw at Jesus. They considered him to be committing blasphemy—claiming to be God. Jesus points to his works as evidence of his claim to deity. He’s performed 6 signs that couldn’t be denied were works from God.
If the Jews had just looked at all the evidence, all the signs Jesus had performed, and considered all his teachings without being prejudiced, perhaps they would’ve come to the improbable but true conclusion that Jesus is the Christ. But the Jews already had decided in their hearts that Jesus was a sinner, a blasphemer, a demon-possessed, insane man, so no matter what he claimed about himself, no matter what he offered as proof of his claim, they were determined to reject him. Jesus could not have come from God. Jesus could not be a prophet, for he broke the Sabbath. Jesus, a mere man, could not be one with God. Jesus, a nobody from Galilee, could not be the promised Messiah or the saviour of their nation.
And they? They were children of Abraham, disciples of Moses, people of God himself! They could not be wrong. They could not have misinterpreted the Law and Prophets.
There are many Christians today, who are like these Jews. When confronted about their sin, instead changing their ways to align to the Bible, they conclude that it is culturally irrelevant, misinterpreted, or misapplied. They explain away the truth of Scripture, and label the preachers intolerant and oppressive. How they are living feels so right to them, that there is nothing that can tell them otherwise, even God’s word.
We must be careful not to let our preconceived ideas of how God should work become a bias in our reading of God’s word. His thoughts and ways are mysterious and higher than those of man. Just because we don’t like what he says, it doesn’t mean we can just push it aside and go on living the way we want. We know that path only leads to sin and death. To live in truth and life, we must heed God’s word, be assured in his love, and follow his ways no matter how hard it may be.
Reflection: What biases do we have about how God should work for us or what kind of life we “deserve” as his children? How have these biases affected the way we read both the comforting and the confronting parts of God’s word? How has it affected our prayer?
Prayer:
God of truth, we humble ourselves before you. We lay down all our biases and ideas. Cleanse us of our pride and stubbornness. Break down anything in our hearts that is keeping us from accepting your word. Even if it hurts, we trust that your correction is good for us. We trust that you love us and is guiding us to righteousness and life. May we be supple before your word and sensitive to your working in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sherlock Holmes, a detective character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said, “When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
For a second time, the Jews pick up stones to throw at Jesus. They considered him to be committing blasphemy—claiming to be God. Jesus points to his works as evidence of his claim to deity. He’s performed 6 signs that couldn’t be denied were works from God.
If the Jews had just looked at all the evidence, all the signs Jesus had performed, and considered all his teachings without being prejudiced, perhaps they would’ve come to the improbable but true conclusion that Jesus is the Christ. But the Jews already had decided in their hearts that Jesus was a sinner, a blasphemer, a demon-possessed, insane man, so no matter what he claimed about himself, no matter what he offered as proof of his claim, they were determined to reject him. Jesus could not have come from God. Jesus could not be a prophet, for he broke the Sabbath. Jesus, a mere man, could not be one with God. Jesus, a nobody from Galilee, could not be the promised Messiah or the saviour of their nation.
And they? They were children of Abraham, disciples of Moses, people of God himself! They could not be wrong. They could not have misinterpreted the Law and Prophets.
There are many Christians today, who are like these Jews. When confronted about their sin, instead changing their ways to align to the Bible, they conclude that it is culturally irrelevant, misinterpreted, or misapplied. They explain away the truth of Scripture, and label the preachers intolerant and oppressive. How they are living feels so right to them, that there is nothing that can tell them otherwise, even God’s word.
We must be careful not to let our preconceived ideas of how God should work become a bias in our reading of God’s word. His thoughts and ways are mysterious and higher than those of man. Just because we don’t like what he says, it doesn’t mean we can just push it aside and go on living the way we want. We know that path only leads to sin and death. To live in truth and life, we must heed God’s word, be assured in his love, and follow his ways no matter how hard it may be.
Reflection: What biases do we have about how God should work for us or what kind of life we “deserve” as his children? How have these biases affected the way we read both the comforting and the confronting parts of God’s word? How has it affected our prayer?
Prayer:
God of truth, we humble ourselves before you. We lay down all our biases and ideas. Cleanse us of our pride and stubbornness. Break down anything in our hearts that is keeping us from accepting your word. Even if it hurts, we trust that your correction is good for us. We trust that you love us and is guiding us to righteousness and life. May we be supple before your word and sensitive to your working in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
