Focus
Take time to rest in the comfort of the Lord today.
Read
31 The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human, are making yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled— 36 can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” 39 Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.
40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. 41 Many came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there.
Reflect
The gospel reading begins with several of the Jews picking up stones to cast at Jesus. Jesus does not run or hide. Rather, He turns and confronts them. He asks them which of His good works they were going to stone Him for? After all, He simply was doing these good works for His Father. The Jews told Jesus that it was not because of His works they were going to stone Him. It was for blasphemy! They were shocked and angry at such a ridiculous claim!
Jesus again tried to explain what He was saying but they refused to listen to Him. The Jews had closed their minds and hearts to Jesus. And clearly they were not open to changing their minds. Jesus already had been tried and convicted by them!
Was this confrontation truly about who Jesus was? Or did the Jews realize that they were losing their power and influence with the people? It was evident that Jesus was loved by the people.
At times, do we become jealous or angry when someone appears to have more power or influence than we have? Does our fear ever drive us to do something that we typically would not do? If we are unaware of our emotions, these negative and destructive emotions may begin to rule our lives and cause us to act in a way we normally would not do. If that is the case, then we need to turn those negative feelings over to God and seek God’s strength to defeat them.
Pray
God, give us this strength to overcome feelings of jealousy and anger when those feelings are driving us to do things that we would not normally do, for we ask in the strong and mighty name of Jesus. Amen
Go with God!
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