Friday 15 April 2011

Background

This passage opens with the dramatic image of people picking upstones to throw at Jesus. It is the habit of Jesus to calmly walkaway from any threat of violence. But in this instance he remainsand tries to explain his case.

Whatever his critics have been saying, in his own defence Jesuspoints to the evidence of his good works (verse 32).

The case against him is not directed at his ministry but at his"blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are makingyourself God". (verse 33)

Jesus replies it is not blasphemy to say "I am God's Son" (verse36), and goes on to say "the Father is in me and I am in theFather" (verse 38). Jesus also quotes scripture, saying that"scripture cannot be annulled" (verse 35) even though people maychoose to ignore it. How can you accept words from Scripture thatacknowledge "you are gods", but find it difficult when I say "I amGod's Son" reasons Jesus (verses 34-35).

Once again Jesus' critics then try to arrest him and this time "heescaped from their hands". (verse 39)

He goes to a wilderness place across the River Jordan where Johnthe Baptist had conducted his work. Out there in the wildernessmany come to believe in him.

Jesus consistently avoids violent confrontation. Public criticismcan be humiliating, yet Jesus does not retaliate against hiscritics.

Wherever Jesus preached he drew crowds and attention, but he doesnot court publicity, and also refuses public arrest.

To Ponder

In your experience, what aspect of Christianwitness draws the greatest objection from critics?

How do you deal with objection to your Christianwitness?

Jesus was criticised for blasphemy. Do we needblasphemy laws today, either nationally or internationally?Why?