Today’s Reading: John 10:22-42, 11:45-57
It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” – John 10:22-24
THEY DEMANDED THAT JESUS EXPLAIN HIMSELF.
But Jesus had already told them who he was over and over again. They had been given the opportunity to believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah, but their hearts were closed to the idea that Jesus from Nazareth was the Son of God.
Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” – John 10:25-30
THEY PICKED UP STONES TO KILL HIM.
This was their opportunity. They believed Jesus had committed blasphemy, giving them the right to publicly stone him. They were postured for victory when Jesus pointed out to them all of the good work he had been doing at the direction of his Father. His miracles were proof of the divine authority he had been given, yet they refused to see Jesus as anything but a mere man claiming to be God.
Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work. But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.” – John 10:37-38
THEY TRIED TO ARREST HIM, BUT JESUS SLIPPED AWAY.
He went beyond the Jordan River near the place where John was first baptizing and stayed there awhile. And many followed him. “John didn’t perform miraculous signs,” they remarked to one another, “but everything he said about this man has come true.” And many who were there believed in Jesus. – John 10:40-42
They were his sheep and they recognized him as their wonderful shepherd. They listened to his voice. They were known by Jesus and willing to follow him. He was willing to sacrifice his life so that they could experience an eternity with him. But others continued to plot against him, looking for an opportunity to silence the voice of Jesus.
Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”
Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”
He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world. – John 11:47-52
THEY PLOTTED TO KILL JESUS.
As we approach Good Friday, let us have ears to hear the voice of Jesus. Lord, open our hearts to what you would like to reveal to us as we prepare for our celebration of your resurrection. We are your sheep and we recognize that you are our good, good Shepherd. These scriptures remind us of how unjustly you were treated. You came to do good and those who should have been the first to recognize you instead plotted against you. And yet you offered them salvation. Father God, may our hearts never be the same as we read through the story of your love, your mercy, and your grace. Amen.