Friday 01 May 2009

Background

Jesus' hearers do not find it easy to understand his enigmaticsayings in this passage. He speaks of his forthcoming death andwarns that unless they can recognise and believe who he is theywill die in their sins. To their credit, those to whom Jesus isspeaking persist with their questions, including the crucialquestion, "Who are you?"

Jesus' answer attempts to illuminate his relationship with God theFather: "the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the worldwhat I have heard from him". When he speaks of being 'lifted up' heis alluding to the manner of his death (crucifixion) but also thatit is through his death and resurrection that he will be exalted.When he refers to himself as 'the Son of Man' he is suggesting thatit is the way of suffering love that ultimately leads to victoryand vindication.

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ people will cometo recognise his true identity and oneness with God. The gospel ofresurrection is about Jesus' triumph over death, but it is alsoabout the absolutely critical questionof who it was who triumphed over death.The resurrection vindicates Jesus - and therefore his teaching -and his extraordinary claims to be divine.

Jesus was keen to explain that everything he said and did was inthe closest possible collaboration with God the Father. The Fatherwas with him and had not left him alone. Christians believe in a'trinitarian' God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - three in one.Language and images often break down when, even now, attempts aremade to describe this understanding of God, so it was little wonderthat Jesus' hearers failed to grasp it.

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God is revealedto the world, yet there remains at the heart of this revelation amystery. It is a mystery rich in meaning and inspiration and leavesroom for God to be God and for faith to flourish. Despite theenigmatic nature of Jesus' teaching - or perhaps because of it -"many believed in him" and many more today continue to embrace themystery that is God.

To Ponder

Jesus' listeners persisted with their questions,even when clarity was not obtained. Are there questions of God thatyou return to again and again - and if so, why not ask them yetagain?

It matters enormously who it was who was raisedfrom the dead. If you believe that Jesus was raised from the deadwhat does this tell you about God?

How do you respond to the notion that at theheart of a Christian understanding of God there lies mystery? Towhat extent is this a cause for celebration or a source offrustration?

What images or metaphors help you to understandGod as 'trinity'?