Crossing the Line, Splitting the Faith
What do we mean when we say that Jesus is the Son of God?
As Christians, there is no getting around the fact that we have a complicated understanding of the nature of God. We believe in a Triune God, one that has three persons in one, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that is not something many of us are comfortable talking about.
The Gospel writer John tackles it head on, with the Jews poised to stone Jesus to death.
The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, 'I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?' 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 being, are making yourself God.' - John 10:31-33
The encounter that follows provides an opportunity for Jesus to talk his way out of the situation, challenging their beliefs, using words from Scripture, but it doesn't really work, and he has to escape when they advance to arrest him.
Jesus answered, 'Is it not written in your law, "I said, you are gods"? If those to whom the word of God came were called "gods" -and the scripture cannot be annulled 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"? - John 10:34-36
Was Jesus trying to opt out?
I don't think so. Jesus doesn't deny that he is God's Son. I fact, he admits to calling himself that. He quotes Psalm 82.
I say, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;nevertheless, you shall die like men, and fall like any prince.”
They weren't convinced, and that is the same problem we might have when and if we try to explain our faith.
John ends this encounter on a positive note, with Jesus crossing the Jordan to where followers of John the Baptist were. They believed in him.
The fact that God makes it difficult for us to understand Him is nothing new. The chosen people of God have had a problem with this all along, with God keeping Himself hidden and invisible, so the thought of Him becoming one of us and walking and talking to us is absurd for many.
Yet, they may believe it will some day happen.
A Messiah, a King will come, one anointed by God. Ah, but will that one be God?
The line Jesus crossed is one that has split the faith, and it has caused us problems throughout history.
Even today, believing can get us killed. Not much has changed, has it?
So, what is our strategy? Do we admit that this is what we believe if we are confronted and accused with blasphemy? Or do we opt out?
Let's pray our trial will never come.
More to come...
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