On Being Signs

John 10:31-42

Jesus tells his opponents here that even if they don’t like him, the works he does (verse 38) should lead them to know (a coming to know) and understand (a taking within in an ongoing way) that he and the Father are one. As we’ve seen before, however, they have put up a defense against truth. But then Jesus goes to the other side of the Jordan, away from the religious centre of things, where people recall John the Baptist’s ministry and believe in him.

John’s role was to point to Jesus, faith came because of contact with Jesus. In a territory with all the religious background that pointed to Jesus, he was rejected. In the more primitive territory to the east of Jordan, people saw and accepted the truth. This chapter concludes with a contrast consistent with the theme of the previous chapter, where sighted people didn't see truth and a blind man encountered Jesus in Jesus' role of bringing light and the man grew in knowledge of him.

The main point to be taken from this whole section of John, I think, isn’t to dwell on distinctions between people. Jesus, after all, died for the whole world and wants all to be saved. The point is that there is no particular background or experience or religious practice or anything that is a prior “in” with God. Knowledge and tradition and religious heritage are only impediments if we let them be, if we make idols of them, if they replace God instead of pointing to him. That can happen with new practices as easily as older ones. If we say a worship song or prayer or play or message was good, it should never be to the exclusion of saying, “What a great God,” and knowing and serving him more truly, and recognizing his current works among us.

Prayer:
Let me see the works you are doing today, Jesus. Help us all to know your presence, and to worship you with all our heart, mind and strength in our lives and when we come together. And let all our ways of expressing you be less about the media and more about the message. Amen.