Fourth Sunday of Easter
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Scripture |
John 10:22-3022 At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.” |
Devotional |
The dialogue between Jesus and the Jews tells us about the Jews and as well as ourselves. How much are we like the Jews? They have been told but do not hear the answer they would like so they continue repeating the question. “The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.” But you do not believe me. They continue asking the question until they receive the answer they like. “The Father and I are one.” R. Alan Culpepper states in the New Interpreter’s Bible. “It is critical that the contemporary interpreter read v. 30 in the context of Johannine theology and not through the lens of the christological controversies of the second through fourth centuries or of the trinitarian doctrine that developed out of those controversies. The Greek word “one” (e{n hen) is neuter, not masculine, so that Jesus is not saying that he and God are one person, nor even of one nature or essence. Rather, he is saying that he and God are united in the work that they do. It is impossible to distinguish Jesus’ work from God’s work, because Jesus shares fully in God’s work.” 1 Should our work be impossible to distinguish from Jesus’ work and God’s work? Should our work be united with Jesus’ work and God’s work? “There is a temptation to interpret these words according to the norms of later trinitarian doctrine, to read them according to what they became in the life of the church, rather than what they say in their own context.” 2 A good theological debate is open-ended, so we can remain there as long as we wish. If we continue long enough, we can substitute theological debate for action. “The Fourth Evangelist’s primary concern was to articulate the relationship of God and Jesus in the context of Jewish-Christian relations, not Christian-Christian relations in the debates over christology.” 3 Is our primary concern imitating the relationship between Jesus and God? I would be more comfortable sitting with the New Interpreter’s Bible than being out interacting with others. Am I the only one tempted to continue asking the question until I hear word that please me? If we share in God’s work and Jesus’ work, then we can say with Jesus “The Father and I are one.”
Prayer: Lord, we find many reasons or excuses to not share in your work. You have given us a example of how we can share in you work in the world. Now give us strength to move out. 1 R. Alan Culpepper, John in The New Interpreter’s Bible. P. 677 |