A Word from John 10

In today's word from John 10, a lot of folks were skeptical about Jesus. Here he was, claiming to have a unique relationship with God the Father (10:29) and saying that he could give life to all those who entrusted themselves to his care. (10:27-28) So, maybe it's no wonder that some of his opponents wanted to shut him up.

Of course, if you stop and think about it, we can sometimes find ourselves in a similar boat. We might not claim that we and the Father are one. But we do claim to have a unique relationship with God because of Jesus. And in a world like ours, with so many competing religions and ideologies, we shouldn't be surprised when some folks get offended.

And yet, it's important, I think to pay close attention to how Jesus responded to his opponents. "Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father," he said. "But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” (10:37-38) In other words, "The proof is in the pudding." And what Jesus was inviting people to do was to examine his life and to see if the evidence of God's love, and mercy, and power could be found there. 

And that, of course, presents us with both an opportunity and a challenge. Because we, too, can "do the works" of our Father. We can love, and serve, and give, and offer mercy. But if we don't, maybe folks are right to be skeptical about the relationship with God that we claim to have.

So today, let's be about the Father's business. And may all the "works" we do give ample evidence that we belong to Him. Amen.