Thoughts for the Day

* Qumran.

Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is still working, and I also am working.’ For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God.

Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomsoever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgement to the Son, so that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father. Anyone who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Hundreds of people have claimed to be the Messiah, before Jesus and after, often with great numbers of followers. In Old Testament times Empires came and went, most bringing war and terror to the people, and so perhaps because of this, in the period between the Old and New Testaments a host of literature about a future different kingdom appeared. This apocalyptic literature included books like Daniel and Enoch* who saw this as being a kingdom of love and peace, that would be introduced by the Messiah, often called the 'Son of Man'.

In today's passage from John's Gospel, Jesus goes further referring to himself as 'God's Son'. He says, in effect, that if we want to see what God is like we should look at him, for as God's Son he does nothing that would displease his Father, but always acts in accordance with His wishes. The Son acts out of love for the Father, and because of this has been given the power of 'judgement'. The two act as One he declares!

Lastly, look at the fearless confidence of Jesus as he makes these claims before the Pharisees, the members of the ruling council, and Herod's party as they move to kill him. Jesus was to be no false claimant. He who could make the paralysed walk; bring the dead to life; and control the forces of nature, was the Messiah who would initiate God's Kingdom of love and peace. Our task is to continue His work each day!

* Enoch does not have scriptural authority, but sections were found among the Dead Sea scroll fragments at Qumran.

Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of the Father,
who with the Holy Spirit
are three persons yet one God,
You call us to continue the work
that You began.
Give us the confidence
to proclaim You to the world
in the way we speak and act today,
and in the future.
Amen.