TEXT TO REFLECT
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”
JOHN 10:24-31
REFLECT
Have you ever searched in vain for an object, or for a face in a crowd, only to discover later that it was right in front of you, staring you in the face? And you kicked yourself for missing something so obvious? And subsequently, not being able to ‘unsee’ that object anymore because it is now so obvious to you? It is one of those most puzzling mysteries of the brain: that something could be so “in your face”, yet we fail to see it. But once we have seen it, it becomes etched on our minds, and we can no longer ‘unsee’ or fail to see it anymore.
The Jews had a similar experience with Jesus. They had searched for the Christ for generations. And when Jesus came, so many signs pointed to the fact that He was the Christ. Yet they could not recognise Him as such. So the Jews sought Jesus out and asked him, “Tell us plainly,” they said to Him, “are you the Christ?” This was as direct a question as one could ask! There was no beating around the bush, no hints or insinuations. Simply, “Tell us plainly if you are the Christ!” And Jesus’ reply was as plain as their question: “First, I have told you before that I am. Second, the things that I do in God’s name bear witness to this fact. And by the way, if you don’t already know, the Father and I are One.” The Jews had asked directly, Jesus had answered plainly. And now, instead of believing, they sought to kill Jesus.
So Jesus explained to them in no uncertain terms: “You don’t believe because you don’t belong to me. Those who belong to me, on the other hand, will recognise me when I lead them, because I know them and I know how to lead them. In fact, they can never ever not recognise me. They will always know it is me. My Father who is more powerful than anyone else will make sure of that.” Instead of accepting Jesus’ plain explanation, the Jews sought to kill Jesus.
Earlier on, in stark contrast to the Jews’ unwillingness to believe, an uneducated and ill-informed man who was blind from birth, confessed faith in Jesus. Jesus, in response to both this man’s faith as well as to the leaders’ intransigence said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” (John 9:39). Here, Jesus implied that it God who gives sight to the blind and blinds those who profess to see.
RELATE
What I learn from this is that the ability to know God is given by God Himself. No matter how intelligent or educated or theologically trained we are, we cannot know God unless He makes Himself known to us. Conversely, regardless of how untrained and uneducated we are, we will know God when God reveals Himself to us. There can be no place for human pride. No one can boast that he is able on his intellect or piety to be spiritual. Like the blind man, we can only plead that God be merciful to us and give us sight. And having received sight, believe that God will not allow that sight to be taken away.
REST
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my heart, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
From the Hymn Open my Eyes by Clara H Scott 1895
Chiu Ming Li
Comments
Post a Comment