Friday, February 10, 2012

Ouch!

John 8:33-47
The words of Jesus that we find in our gospel reading today make for what we could call a stinging rebuke of Jesus’ listeners. “Why do you not understand what I say?” Jesus asks. “It is because you cannot accept my word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me” (John 8:43-45). This is from the same man of whom it was said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (3:16). How do we deal with such harsh words and the apparent contradiction?

The key to understanding these passages is faith. In what do we believe? To whom do we listen? By what message are we guided in our living? Jesus leaves no room for ambiguity. In a manner of speaking it is all or nothing. Either we seek God and what God is doing in our midst, or we fall into the snare of evil to be overcome by lies and deceit. Jesus is the focal point of God’s work and in Jesus all come to know God and God’s love. Anything else is suspect.

There is an important point to add, however. The words of condemnation in this passage are spoken by Jesus alone and it is to Jesus that such judgment belongs. Too often the church has taken upon itself the role of condemning others for any number of reasons while not allowing God’s will to unfold. And this is where we must return to the words of John 3:16. God loves the world. God calls to the world. God undertakes suffering for the world in the person of Jesus. We who would live according to God’s will must do the same. We must offer witness to what we believe and trust in God to work through us, often in ways that we do not expect or cannot understand. The judgment of God is balanced by the love and grace of God. As people of faith we must be aware of our own shortcomings while seeking to share the grace we have received.

Prayer: God, make us messengers of your love to the world even as we seek to focus our lives on your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.

No comments: