Christian Art | Attempt To Stone Jesus | Law And Blasphemy
John 10: 31-42 – Lent Week 5, Friday (Audio Bible King James Version, KJV, Spoken Word)
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there.
It is a tragedy that, as we approach Holy Week, the divisions between Jesus and his people the Jews become sharper, and what is more, that the Jews – a generic term in John’s Gospel for those Jewish people who have rejected Jesus Christ – seek to condemn Jesus in the name of God. By invoking the name of God, they are in fact rejecting Him. We see the Jews placing themselves in an impossible position. Nonetheless, Jesus patiently continues to reason with them, asking them to see and to believe.
Jesus quotes the Old Testament of the Bible when he says: ‘Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?’ (Cf. Psalm 82/81.) The Scriptures call us to become closer to God, as one with Him insofar as we can ever be able. If we can be called the sons of God, how much more does Jesus deserve to be known as the Son of God?
Jesus has come to fulfil the Scriptures. The whole of the Bible, the whole of human history, is centred upon him. Faced with the saving revelation of Christ, the Jews gather their stones. Their response is one of vicious barbarism. Just as many do today, when they impose barbaric punishments on other people, including stoning, so the Jews of Christ’s time refuse a future of love and cling instead to a past of hatred.
Jesus must have been desperate to save his people. He asks them to see the proofs of his divinity: to understand the words of Scripture and to consider the miracles which he has performed as signs. Jesus looks to a range of resources to try to save this people by helping them to see the truth. Their minds, however, are closed. They want death rather than the redeeming truth of salvation.
Jesus, then, returns to the place where he was baptized by John. This must have been to Jesus a place of great personal significance. This was where his ministry began. Perhaps he felt the need to recollect himself and summon his energies again, and perhaps to consider the impact he has made so far, while he anticipates Holy Week.
This passage of the Bible conveys to us a great deal of optimism despite the rejection of the Jews. Many people – many Jewish people – come to him and believe in him.
Through this Bible reading we are prepared for conflict and the refusal of belief, while also we are reminded of the faith of many, many people who have gone before us, including in this time of Christ.
‘He it is then who showed forth in himself alone all that he knew to be necessary to achieve our redemption – he who at the same time is priest and sacrifice, God and temple: the priest through whom we are reconciled, the sacrifice by which we are reconciled, the temple in which we are reconciled, the God to whom we are reconciled. He alone is priest, sacrifice and temple.’ St Fulgentius of Ruspe
Audio Bible KJV | King James Version | Endnotes
Why Do The Jews Reject Jesus?
In John 10:31-42, we see the Jews once again rejecting Jesus and accusing him of blasphemy. They demand that Jesus give them a clear answer about whether he is the Messiah or not, and Jesus responds by telling them that he has already given them proof of his identity through his works and miracles.
The psychology of the Jews who reject Jesus is complex, but one possible explanation is that they are so entrenched in their own religious beliefs and traditions that they are unable to recognize the truth when it is right in front of them. They are so focused on their own understanding of the law and their own expectations of what the Messiah should be like that they are unable to see Jesus for who he truly is.
Jesus’ retreat to the place where John baptized is significant because it highlights the contrast between the truth of baptism and the legalistic and false attitudes of the Jewish Temple authorities. Baptism represents a new beginning, a washing away of the old self and a rebirth into a new life in Christ. The legalism of the Jewish leaders, on the other hand, represents a rigid adherence to the letter of the law without any real understanding of its true meaning.
This contrast is important because it shows us that true faith is not about rigid adherence to rules and regulations, but about a personal relationship with Christ that transforms us from the inside out. It is about recognizing the truth when it is presented to us, even if it challenges our preconceived notions and beliefs.
As Catholic theologian Thomas Merton once wrote: ‘The great task is to discover the truth in the midst of our own thoughts, our own prejudices, our own conditionings. And to do this we must have a certain openness, a certain receptivity to the truth, which means, in fact, a willingness to accept whatever the truth is.’
In Protestant theology, there is a similar emphasis on the importance of being open to the truth and being willing to let go of our own preconceptions and beliefs in order to follow Christ. This requires humility, a willingness to admit our own limitations and to seek guidance from God and others.
John 10:31-42 challenges us to examine our own beliefs and attitudes and to be open to the truth, even if it challenges our preconceptions. It reminds us that true faith is not about rigid adherence to rules and regulations, but about a personal relationship with Christ that transforms us from the inside out. As we reflect on this passage during the season of Lent, may we be inspired to let go of our own preconceptions and to be open to the truth, guided by the Holy Spirit and the example of Christ.
Jesus orders his disciples to keep his true identity, as the Messiah, a secret. We might wonder why this should be. One answer to this is that many of the people of whom we read in the Bible were hoping for and expecting the coming of the Messiah, who would lead the Jewish people to freedom, and yet their expectation – of a new judge or great warrior king – was not in accord with Christ’s true purpose, namely to serve and to suffer and so to save [ … ]
Christian Art | Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible KJV The Gospel Of Saint John 14: 1-7 | King James Audio Bible YouTube: Connection With The Life Of Jesus In The Gospels | King James Audio Bible The Gospels are not just a collection of stories or teachings, but a window into the life of Jesus. By reading and reflecting on the Gospels, we gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus was and what he came to do. As we read the Gospels, we see that Jesus was a man of great compassion and love. Jesus showed mercy to the outcasts and the marginalized, and he offered healing and hope to those who were in need. He also taught with authority, challenging the religious leaders of his day and offering a new way of living based on love and service. But the Gospels are not just a history lesson. They are also an invitation for us to enter into a relationship with Jesus. By reading and meditating on the Gospels, we can come to know Jesus more personally and deeply. We can learn from his example and seek to follow in his footsteps. So we may be encouraged to read the Gospels, perhaps starting with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John, as we read paying attention to how Jesus interacted with others and how he responded to different situations. We may ask ourselves what you can learn from his words and actions, and how we can apply them to our own lives. And as we read, we can allow ourselves to be drawn into a closer relationship with Jesus. There truly is an historical Jesus. May the Gospels be a source of guidance, inspiration, and transformation for us all. How Much In The Gospels Is Historical, And How Much Is Myth, Legend, Trope, Figurative Thinking? It is difficult to say with certainty how much of the Gospels is historical in the modern sense of the word and how much is myth, legend, trope, or figurative thinking. The Gospels were written some years after the events they describe, and they were written from the perspective of the early Christian community. This means that the Gospels may contain a mix of historical facts and interpretation, as well as elements of myth, legend, and figurative thinking. That being said, scholars believe that the Gospels contain a good deal of historical information. For example, the Gospels describe specific places and events, such as the places where Jesus preached and the events of his trial and Crucifixion. These details suggest that the writers of the Gospels had access to historical information and intended to provide an accurate account of what happened. On the other hand, the Gospels also contain elements that are not seen by all as historical, howsoever this goes to the root of the faith, such as the miracles performed by Jesus and the accounts of his resurrection. Some see these as legends or myths that were added to the Gospels to help convey the message of the early Christian community. The question of how much of the Gospels is historical and how much is myth, legend, or figurative thinking is complex. What is important is that we approach the Gospels with an open mind and a willingness to engage with the stories and teachings they contain. We are in the Gospels in conversation with God – and with the many people who have had such faith and conversations – as with the historical Jesus. Why Do The Gospels Say Were People Afraid Of Jesus? There are several reasons why people may have been afraid of Jesus, according to the Gospels. One reason is that Jesus was a powerful and charismatic figure who challenged the religious and political authorities of his time. He spoke out against corruption and injustice, and he called on people to repent and turn to God. This type of behaviour was seen as threatening by those in positions of power, and they may have been afraid of losing their influence or authority. Another reason is that Jesus performed many miracles, such as healing the sick and casting out demons. These miracles were seen as evidence of his divine power, and they may have made people afraid of him. Some people may have been afraid of being healed or possessed by Jesus, while others may have been afraid of what would happen if they did not believe in him. Finally, some people may have been afraid of Jesus because of the prophecies and expectations of the coming of a messiah. The Jews of Jesus’ time were looking for a saviour who would deliver them from oppression and establish a kingdom of God on earth. When Jesus arrived on the scene, he may have been seen as a threat to the status quo, and some people may have been afraid of what he might do. Might The Fear Be Related To The Fear Of God – The Injunction To Fear God? Yes, it is possible that the fear of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels may be related to the fear of God. In the Old Testament, the fear of God is often used to describe a deep reverence and awe for God, as well as a sense of humility and obedience in the face of his greatness. This fear of God is seen as a positive and necessary quality for a faithful believer, and it is often linked to the idea of fearing God’s punishment or judgement. In the New Testament, the fear of God is also mentioned, but it is often portrayed in a more positive light. For example, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells his followers not to be afraid of those who can only kill the body, but to fear God, who can destroy both body and soul (Luke 12:4-5). This suggests that the fear of God is not just about punishment, but about a deep respect for […]
‘What is truth?’ So asks Pontius Pilate at the show-trial of Jesus. Pilate’s question dismisses and inherently rejects categorical truth as value. Pilate throws the truth to the masses – who cry for the blood of Jesus. As Christians, we hope – we pray, we ask – to adhere to truth. This is our truth: that Jesus is the Son of God, that Jesus died for our sins, and that through Jesus we can attain salvation. Yet, even as we seek to live in the truth, we are tested and tempted, just as Jesus was in the wilderness by Satan [ … ]
