John 10:31-42 NRSVue
31The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” 33The 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, are making yourself God.” 34Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled—36can 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’? 37If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. 38But 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.” 39Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.
40He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. 41Many came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 42And many believed in him there.
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Reflection on John 10:31-42
Inspiration from 2025-04-11 Daily Prayer
Jesus appeals to his hearers to judge the truth of his words by the witness of his doing the good works of his Father. ‘By their fruits you will know them.’ This is too much for the Scribes and Pharisees in their hardness of heart. ‘Unless you become as little children you cannot enter the kingdom of God.’ Let us pray for the gift of humility and to recognise the truth of our own littleness.
Further reflection
The air and cyberspace are thick with prophets. We need to discern every day which are the trustworthy ones. I need to look at their lives.
The works of healing, teaching and forgiveness were among other works of Jesus done in the name of God. All of Jesus leads us to his divine origin, the Son and Word of God. Something more than human seemed to touch others through him, as some believed and many did not. Prayer is a moment of admitting and deepening our faith in the Divine Son of God.
Jesus was not putting himself above the people, but was calling them to realise their true worth. I think of how Jesus was born and became like me so that I may know myself truly as he accompanies me.
The message of Jesus was threatening to the people of his time and remains threatening today. What might have to change for me if I were to accept what Jesus proclaims?
Jesus asserts the dignity that I have in being a child of God. I pray for people who suffer injustice.