MAKING HIMSELF GOD (JN 10:31-39)
Prayer:
O Jesus, you are truly God and truly man.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus teaching in the Temple
Context:
The Jews understand clearly that Jesus is making himself equal to God. So they try to stone Jesus, claiming that he commits blasphemy. When Jesus preaches, the Jewish believes do not understand because they refuse to believe that he came from the Father.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
The Jews picked up rocks to stone him. Jesus asked, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews replied, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”? If scripture calls those gods to whom the word of God came, 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 the Father’s works, then do not believe me. However, if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works. In this way, you may realize that the Father is in me and I am in the Father”. They tried again to arrest him, but he escaped from their power.Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.)
- The story begins and ends with attempted violence against Jesus. His preaching has no effect upon the listeners.
- Jesus constantly stresses the central point. His works show that he is one with the Father.
- Jesus reveals new truths. If all who receive God’s words are, in some sense, called gods, then he, who was consecrated by the Father, certainly has the right to call himself “Son of God.”
- Jesus presents an “either-or”. If he performs the Father’s works, they should believe. If he does not, then they do not need to believe.
- Jesus always points to the same truth. “The Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- Jesus, let your words change me.
- You always say to me, “Trust me, I am one with the Father”.
- How great are your works in me! How many changes come about when I open my heart to you.
- Thank you for making me a child of God.
- You are consecrated to the Father. Consecrate me, Jesus. I am Yours.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will ponder all that Jesus has done for me.
+ I will meditate on Jesus making me a child of God.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
The Father is in me and I am in the Father.