The Good Shepherd, 2

Again the Jews were divided because of these words. Many of them were saying, ‘He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?’ Others were saying, ‘These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.’

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.’ 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— can 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”? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’ Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.

He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, ‘John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.’ And many believed in him there.

- John 10:19-42

Jesus' challenges now have become more plain and open. He openly calls himself God's Son, and he challenges those who accuse him - he defends not only his works, but also his words regarding his identity. He does not back down from this crowd, but openly defends himself and what he is doing and teaching. He says that he and the Father are one, and that what the Father has given him will not be snatched away - for they are the sheep who recognize his voice.

First of all, I think it's important to note that Jesus does not hesitate to defend his works and his words. We're often given a popular image of Jesus as a very passive person, but I do not find passivity at all a characteristic of his personality. He is straightforward to the very limit, his truth is also in the depth of his willingness to be open at all times about who and what he is - at least in the course of what is essential for teaching. There are conflicts he avoids, but for my perspective these are those not necessary to his teaching mission - where words are redundant or useless. But he is never afraid to speak to clarify his perspective, his mission, his teaching to those to whom he deems it necessary to what he is about in the world.

And finally it is notable that after he goes across the Jordan, he finds believers. In this scene at the Temple we are at the feast of Hanukkah, festival of lights and commemoration of rededication of the Temple. The leaders of Israel's past are commemorated, many of whom were literal shepherds. But it is when he crosses the Jordan that he finds believers who believe because John the Baptist had taught them about Jesus. We can see the nature of belief, and of this relationship of sheep to shepherd, and how recognition works. Where the presence of Jesus in his teaching role, and in his acts of works has failed to produce belief, elsewhere John's teaching (who produced no signs) has brought belief in Jesus. This connection with the sheep is also at work through those who also work to shepherd the same flock, who also lay down their lives for the same.

Faith works as a kind of connection, a thread running through relationships and experiences. I find the Spirit to be a sort of a circuit - it makes connections and creates communication and understanding. This is my clue to how faith works and works in us, how God works in us. At least, it is my observation. Through this glue we are one Body. Have you observed this thread, this connection, at work in your life?