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.
The Wanderer is preserved in the Exeter Book, a manuscript compiled in the late tenth century. It is an elegy, though this label is a modern critical category. The poem addresses exile, loss, memory, and the search for meaning within a transient world. It presents an individual speaker reflecting on past experience and present condition, and moves toward more general statements about human life. The poem traces a development from the experience of exile to a broader reflection on transience, concluding with a shift toward a religious framework. The poem combines personal expression with more generalised reflection [ … ]
- KJV Psalms | Psalm 22/21 | King James Bible | My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me | Crucifixion
We can only wonder at Jesus’ agony on the Cross. There are so many possible layers of the meaning here. At once, this utterance might seem to us an action of despair, or perhaps better of nullity, and at the same time an action of triumph, as the psalm moves to reaffirm and reinforces faith in God [ … ]
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ In this passage, Jesus extends an invitation to all who are weary and burdened. Jesus promises rest and relief, urging us to take his yoke and learn from him. Jesus’ gentle and humble heart offers rest for our souls, emphasizing that his yoke is easy and his burden light. This passage is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ, who offers us rest and peace amid our struggles. Prayer Dear Jesus, In times of uncertainty and despair, I turn to you, the source of all hope. Fill my heart with your hope that transcends understanding. Help me to trust in your promises and to find joy and peace in your presence. May your hope renew my spirit and give me the strength to face each day with confidence and faith. Let your hope shine through me, bringing light to others who are in need. Amen. Personal Reflection What are the situations in your life that seem hopeless? How can you invite Jesus’ hope into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced renewed hope through your faith in Christ. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Matthew 11:28-30 is a passage that speaks directly to our need for hope and rest. Jesus’ invitation to come to him is extended to all who are weary and burdened, offering a refuge from the struggles of life. This invitation is not just a call to physical rest but a deeper spiritual rest that brings peace to our souls. Jesus understands the burdens we carry and offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. The imagery of a yoke suggests partnership and guidance; by taking on his yoke, we align ourselves with him, allowing him to share our burdens and guide our steps. This partnership is marked by learning from Jesus, whose gentle and humble heart sets an example for us. The promise of rest for our souls is comforting. In a world where we often feel overwhelmed and stressed, Jesus assures us that he is our source of true rest and peace. His rest is not temporary or superficial but a peace that sustains us through life’s challenges. This promise gives us hope, knowing that no matter what we face, we can find solace in Jesus. Reflecting on this passage, we are reminded of the importance of surrendering our burdens to Jesus. It requires trust and faith to let go of our anxieties and allow him to take control. This surrender is an act of faith, acknowledging that Jesus is capable and willing to carry our burdens. As we learn to trust him more, we experience the peace and rest he promises. The hope we find in Jesus is transformative. It renews our spirits and gives us the strength to persevere. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances but on the nature of Jesus and his promises. It is a hope that empowers us to face each day with confidence, knowing that we are not alone. As we embrace this hope, we are called to share it with others. The hope we receive from Jesus is not meant to be kept to ourselves but to be a light for others who are struggling. Through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and simply being present, we can extend Jesus’ invitation of hope and rest to those around us. By living out this hope, we reflect Christ’s love and bring his light into the world. In practical terms, fostering hope involves daily practices that keep us connected to Jesus. Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and being part of a faith community help us to stay grounded in our faith and renew our hope. These practices remind us of Jesus’ promises and keep our focus on him rather than on our circumstances. Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the anchor of my hope. In moments of doubt and despair, remind me of your promises. Fill my heart with your joy and peace, and let your hope overflow in my life. Help me to trust in your plans and to find strength in your presence. May your hope shine in me, guiding me through every trial and illuminating the path ahead. Use me as a beacon of your hope, bringing comfort and encouragement to those in need. Thank you for the gift of your eternal hope. Amen. Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ Blessing May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. May you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may His hope guide and sustain you in all things. Amen.
