John 8:47-59 (NRSV)

Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God."  The Jews answered him, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?"  Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.  Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and he is the judge.  Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death."  The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon.  Abraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, 'Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.'  Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died?  The prophets also died.  Who do you claim to be?"  Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, 'He is our God,' though you do not know him.  But I know him; if I would say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him and I keep his word.   Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad."  Then the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?"   Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am."   So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.



“They picked up stones to throw at him.”  I think that Jesus has finally reached a point with the leaders that he had no other choice other than to hide and then duck out.  The continued dialogue upsets the Jews to the point of accusing Jesus of having a demon.  They also call him a Samaritan, which is understandable because the Samaritans thought they were the true keepers of the Abrahamic religion prior to the Babylonian exile.

In the past few days, the readings have been leading up to this scene. The Jews (notably the Pharisees and scribes – the leaders) who want to trap Jesus on one side, and Jesus preaching and teaching and offering a new way to everlasting life on the other. The leaders of the community have their authority put into question. 

Jesus thwarts the Jews with his claim to be from God.  They don’t believe him and continue to challenge him bringing up Abraham and the prophets.  Jesus infuriates them by telling them that he was before Abraham.  This leads to the threat of the stones.

The call today is to be firm in our faith; be not only hearers of the word but doers.  Jesus is the perfect teacher and does not base his claims on what he says but on what he does (healing, forgiving, teaching).  The word of Jesus is the word of God and gives life and power to those who believe.  Jesus shows us the way that leads to truth and holiness.  And he anoints us with his power to live the gospel with joy and to be his witnesses in the world.  Are we doers of God's word, or hearers only?

John 8:33-47 (NRSV)

They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone.  What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?"  Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever.  So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.  I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word.  I declare what I have seen in the Father's presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father."  They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.  This is not what Abraham did.  You are indeed doing what your father does." They said to him, "We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself."  Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here.  I did not come on my own, but he sent me.  Why do you not understand what I say? 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.  Which of you convicts me of sin?  If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?  Whoever is from God hears the words of God.  The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God."

My initial thought surrounds Jesus’ statement, “there is no place in you for my word.”  Jesus continues to banter with the Pharisees and scribes who don’t understand what he is trying to tell them.  They seem like they aren’t even trying to understand.

Jesus continues to explain his identity in this passage - and how his word is from God and contains truths that not everyone understands (especially the scribes and Pharisaic leaders).  This his because of who he is.  The leaders are quick to assert their Abrahamic heritage, claiming their inheritance of God’s favor as God’s chosen people.  Jesus is aware of the schemes to trap him and kill him and in turn points out that the leaders have no idea what it means to love God, because they do not love him.   He then compares them to children of the devil.  The lies about Jesus and deception has clouded their minds and made them unable to comprehend the truth that is right in front of them.

I feel that our call today is trust.  Trust in Jesus to lead the way; trust in his truth; trust in his leadership and his teaching.  Trust that he is God that came to reconcile the world.  If we are receivers of Jesus’ words with an open mind, and let them resonate in our soul, then we uncloud our minds and hear the word of God.       

John 8:21-32 (NRSV)

Again he said to them, "I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin.  Where I am going, you cannot come."  Then the Jews said, "Is he going to kill himself?  Is that what he means by saying, 'Where I am going, you cannot come'?"  He said to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.  I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he."  They said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Why do I speak to you at all?  I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him."  They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father.  So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me.  And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him."  As he was saying these things, many believed in him.  Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

“Lifted up…”  It’s almost comical that the Jews still don’t understand who Jesus is (see my comment on Jews - 2/3/2012).  Jesus seems even more frustrated with the situation, and wonders why he is speaking to them at all.  As if to say, “what’s the use?”  Jesus offers the way to eternal life and reconciliation with God, and they still don’t comprehend.

The phrase “lifted up” jumps out at me because I remember the Old Testament story of Moses in the wilderness and the serpent bites.  Moses lifted up a serpent on a pole.  When Israel looked at the serpent they were healed.  [Numbers 21:4-8]  We know that if I remembered the story, these faithful people that Jesus was speaking to do.  Jesus offers them a new healing and restoration by their belief in him and the witness of his crucifixion yet to come.  He doesn’t come right out and say it, but he does say, “when you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he.”  Jesus points out to them the time when they will actually get it.

If we were to read this passage without knowing the rest of the story, it might be confusing.  I think sometimes that we assume folks know the stories, so we speak in “high context” language, and don’t explain the undertones or the missing pieces.  In reflection and study of scripture, it is important to look deep into the story and try to fully understand the truths that it holds.

The call today is clear and directly from Jesus’ words…  “If you continue in my word, and are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”  We struggle every day to stay engaged with what God is doing in our life, and how we discern God’s presence with us.  Being a disciple doesn’t mean that we have it all figured out, but it does mean that we consistently strive to understand and follow Jesus.  If we are honest in our efforts, participate and nurture our souls with his teaching, then Jesus will make the truth known to us, and we will be free from sin and death.

John 8:12-20 (NRSV)

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."  Then the Pharisees said to him, "You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid."  Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.  You judge by human standards; I judge no one.  Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.  In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid.  I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf."  Then they said to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also."  He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

 

“You judge by human standards; I judge no one.”  As we learned yesterday, Jesus forgives and gives guidance more than he judges.  And today we get a glimpse of what it means to walk, live, and learn in the light of Christ. 

I feel human beings will never be able to completely comprehend God, in all of God’s vast glory.  Awesome doesn’t describe it.  To me it’s more like incredible, indescribable, inexpressible, and every other superlative you can think of.  With that said, we also will never be able to comprehend God’s justice in our human context.  However, neither condition keeps us from being drawn to learn and understand.  Much like the Pharisees and scribes who don’t understand Jesus’ authority, we are caught in their circle of living and participating with a limited understanding of God.

Recently I heard a someone say that we are all “cracked pots and that we all fall short of the glory of God, and yet we are the plan for bringing God’s Good News to the whole world.”  Whether we like the term “cracked pot” or not, it’s a great image for this reading.  This is a desperate and broken world that is full of suffering and injustice.  This brokenness wasn’t brought about by God, but by our own selfish behaviors.  We need God to heal and nurture us in our brokenness.  God does that in Jesus, who forgives and guides and judges rightly.  It is through our “cracked pots” that the light of Christ shines through. 

By following Jesus (and his example of forgiveness and guidance) we are participating in him.  (I’ve talked about participation before and its importance.)  By participating in Jesus, he dwells in us and we walk in his light as he enlightens our path.  Today we have been called to testify to the light.  We know that light to be Jesus Christ Our Lord, and we can testify to the ways that God heals us and continues to restore us through Christ.  Maybe then we can do our part and help Jesus be a light to others.       

John 8:1-11 (NRSV)

… Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.  Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them.  The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.  Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women.  Now what do you say?"  They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.  When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."  And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground.  When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.  Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?"  She said, "No one, sir."  And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again."

“He bent down and wrote on the ground.”  I realize that we are all in different places.  Our thinking and reading these reflections are through the different lenses of our own experience.  I think that the sentence about him writing on the ground jumps out because, to me, it doesn’t otherwise belong.  Why did he write on the ground?  Why is it important to mention?

I would like to make the suggestion that Jesus gives us the image of a challenge, as if he were drawing a line in the sand saying, “Let anyone among you who wants to stone her come cross this line – and then you will deal with me!”  We can almost see the Jesus meek and mild puff out his chest for a minute and get tough in order to protect the woman.  It must have worked, because everyone dispursed and none were left but her and Jesus.

At the beginning of the passage, I want to yell out, “It’s a trap, Jesus…  don’t answer them!”  When the woman is brought to him, it's one of their schemes that they use in order to trap Jesus.  It's a catch-22.  He is doomed either way.  The Pharisees are keeping the letter of the law rather than the intent of the law.  They want to trick Jesus into going against what is prescribed in the law of Moses, but Jesus uses this opportunity to teach them in a very simple way that the complete law is intended for all – and that all fall short of keeping the law.  It obviously works, because they all leave.  Instead of condemning another, they turned the condemnation inward and started to think of their own sin.

We, like the Pharisees are quick to condemn and judge the way others act, rather than first look at ourselves.  I think that our call today is to be introspective of our outward actions.  Examine ourselves, prior to accusing another.  Without condemnation, but with forgiveness and guidance, Jesus offers the accused woman another chance.  Are we quick to condemn, and want to immediately pick up the stone and right the world, or do we come from a place of forgiveness – having first forgiven ourselves and then extending that forgiveness to others – and offering guidance rather than condemnation?

John 7:37-52 (NRSV)

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.  As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'"  Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.  When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, "This is really the prophet."  Others said, "This is the Messiah."  But some asked, "Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he?  Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?"  So there was a division in the crowd because of him.  Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.  Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not arrest him?"  The police answered, "Never has anyone spoken like this!"  Then the Pharisees replied, "Surely you have not been deceived too, have you?  Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him?  But this crowd, which does not know the law-they are accursed."  Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, "Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?"  They replied, "Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you?  Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee."

“Why did you not arrest him?” – The leaders are at it again, and are afraid of Jesus and his prophetic message.  The festival has ended and Jesus offers us an invitation again to believe in him and the message that he brings.  He is the source of ‘living water’ – and offers the world a drink.

The Pharisees and scribes continue to question his authority and the source of Jesus’ message.  They get tied up in the semantics of where he is from and whether he fits the prophecy that has been handed down from the patriarchs and prophets.  It is interesting that they still havent done anything about Jesus who is obvoiusly upsetting the apple cart.

Nicodemus, a friend and follower of Jesus, moves in and returns the challenge.  He reminds the leaders that the law requires a hearing to determine if there is any quilt.  (We should remember that what Jesus is doing is not illegal.  It's upsetting the leadership, but it's not illegal)  The leaders are quick to challenge and dismiss Nicodemus too, stating that he must be a supporter because he is from the same place.

It seems that this texts has a lot to do with location.  Why is that where Jesus lives have so much bearing on who he is?  It kind of reminds me of someone (possibly from a small town in the south) saying to someone else, "hey boy - where are you from?" -- followed by "you ain't from around here are you!"  There are already folks that are outwardly calling him prophet and messiah and I think that the leaders are feeling more threatened than ever.  I feel that this text has a call to us to believe.  Not listen to the leaders who are condemning Jesus, but be willing to fully believe and then take a drink from the source of the living water, which is our salvation.

Mark 10:13-22 (NRSV)

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.  But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’  And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. 

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?  What a sharp contrast between the rich man and people bringing little children to him.  Jesus says, we must receive the kingdom of God as a little child, but what does that mean?  I don’t think it means that we need to be naive, but I do feel that we need to have a certain vulnerability and innocence about us.

Those of us that work with and around children and those of us that have children know that children are trusting and curious…  they ask questions, and they like to be involved and respected…  Children have worth and an insightful brilliance that our clouded minds lack.  So what this says to me is that our approach of God needs to me one of emptying ourselves, and making ourselves vulnerable before God.  We open our lives up to God to let God do God’s best work within us.

The man who comes to Jesus with an inquiring mind is a keeper of the law.  He is half way there, but he needs to not be bound by earthly things.  The scripture says he has many possessions, and that he grieves because Jesus tells him to let go of his stuff.  I don’t think that money and possessions are not bad or evil.  It’s how we use the money and possessions that either makes it a vehicle to or a barrier from God.  What we do with our money is an expression of our faith (or lack thereof).

Therefore, for me, the sharp contrast of the stories goes away.  Children don’t have worries over money like adults do.  They learn about possessions and value by their parents and other adults.  It makes me think, “what are we teaching our children by the way we use our money?”  In order to be as a little child, the rich man needs to give up the barrier between him and God.

To me, the text is an invitation to us to look at our lives and start to remove the barriers between us and God.  It doesn’t matter if it’s money or possessions, priority of activities, the ways we participate, etc…  if it affects our relationship with God, it needs to be dealt with.  Does the way we live our life express our faith?