Read Online
Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him. John
8:30
Jesus had been teaching in veiled but deeply profound ways about
Who He was. In prior passages, He referred to Himself as the “bread
of life,” the “living water,” the “light of the world,” and He even
took upon Himself the ancient title of God “I AM.” Furthermore, He
continually identified Himself with the Father in Heaven as His
Father with Whom He was perfectly united and by Whom He was sent
into the world to do His will. For example, just prior to the line
above, Jesus states clearly, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then
you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I
say only what the Father taught me” (John 8:28). And it was because
of this that many came to believe in Him. But why?
As John’s Gospel continues, Jesus’ teaching remains mysterious,
deep and veiled. After Jesus speaks profound truths about Who He
is, some listeners come to believe in Him, while others become
hostile to Him. What is the difference between those who come to
believe and those who ultimately kill Jesus? The simple answer is
faith. Both those who came to believe in Jesus and those who
orchestrated and supported His murder heard the same teaching of
Jesus. Yet their reactions were so very different.
The same is true for us today. Just like those who heard these
teachings for the first time from Jesus’ own lips, we also are
presented with the same teaching. We are given the same opportunity
to listen to His words and either receive them with faith or reject
them or be indifferent. Are you one of the many who came to believe
in Jesus because of these words?
Reading these veiled, mysterious and deep teachings of Jesus as
they are presented in the Gospel of John requires a special gift
from God if these words will have any impact upon our lives
whatsoever. Faith is a gift. It’s not just a blind choice to
believe. It’s a choice based on seeing. But it’s a seeing made
possible only by an interior revelation from God to which we give
our assent. Thus, Jesus as the Living Water, the Bread of Life, the
great I AM, the Light of the World, and the Son of the Father will
only make sense to us and will only have an effect upon us when we
are open to and receive the interior light of the gift of faith.
Without that openness and reception, we will remain either hostile
or indifferent.
Reflect, today, upon the deep, veiled and mysterious language of
God. When you read this language, especially in the Gospel of John,
what is your reaction? Ponder your reaction carefully; and, if you
find you are any less than one who has come to understand and
believe, then seek the grace of faith this day so that our Lord’s
words will powerfully transform your life.
My mysterious Lord, Your teaching about Who You are is beyond
human reason alone. It is deep, mysterious and glorious beyond all
understanding. Please give me the gift of faith so that I may come
to know Who You are as I ponder the richness of Your holy Word. I
believe in You, dear Lord. Help my unbelief. Jesus, I trust in
You.
Image via Adobe Stock
Source of content:
catholic-daily-reflections.com
Copyright 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved.
Used with permission via RSS feed.
Kommentare (0)
Melde dich an, um einen Kommentar zu schreiben.