Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
Like you a liar
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
John 8:52-55
The Jews said to Jesus, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word.”
Jesus is using his best rabbi language, and his listeners are hopelessly confused. I am too, although I have the advantage of believing that Jesus is who he says he is. They mostly did not believe him, so they protected God by attacking Jesus.
Big mistake.
They didn’t understand what he was talking about, but I am sure they did hear the simple phrase “like you a liar.” The accusation floats in the air like a big bubble, waiting to be popped, and no one pops it.
Perhaps deep down they knew they were lying about their closeness to God. Certainly they yearned for intimacy with him; how could they not? Jesus claimed a kinship that preceded God’s relationship with Abraham, the father of their faith, which was grounded and sustained by love. Beautiful idea, but not possible. Certainly untrue. Probably blasphemous.
It is a great thing to be glorified. All of them, all of us, know that. Well done, good and faithful servant. Paul cheers us all on to finish the race and wear the crown. But Jesus says, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing.”
The Pharisees expected glory because of their ancestry and their deeds; Jesus experienced glory because of God’s love. This is what got him killed. And following him into that love is what gives us life.
I don’t mind being confused, Lord. Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. I am grateful to be led into being loved, Jesus. You felt your Father’s love and did not keep it to yourself, but invited us to follow you and find that love too. Unending, unconditional, unqualified love.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1371
