(Audio)
If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me;
but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me,
believe the works, so that you may realize and understand
that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.
Jesus isn't just arguing for the sake of arguing. He isn't trying to win one against his opponents to gain points with the crowds. He is actually making his case. He cares even about these people who are trying to stone him for blasphemy. How about us? Are we still able to love others even when they aren't sensitive to our needs? Are we still able to do the works of the Father, works which reveal his heart and his love, even in the face of opposition?
We need the spirit of the prophet Jeremiah. Even if there are enemies on every side and it seems that we have no help at all we can trust in the LORD.
"Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail,
and take our vengeance on him."
But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion:
my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.
Just so the opponents of Jesus constantly try to trap him. Jesus for his part never ceases to trust the Father. As he does so his opponent's arguments against him are revealed as fallacious. They themselves are shown to be hypocrites. But Jesus is not interested in seeing them destroyed. Indeed, if his trust were so focused on worldly outcomes the cross would have seemed a thing to avoid. But rather, his trust in the Father goes even deeper than death and apparent failure. He knows that his Father's plan will result in the resurrection. For his opponents this will be a "lasting, unforgettable confusion" but it will not destroy them. Instead it will be there opportunity for new life, just as it is ours. It is the ultimate wake up call.
We are going to face opposition. The risk is that we meet it on its own terms. Instead, let us be like Jeremiah and like Jesus. Let us reveal the heart of the Father who loved us even while we were enemies (see Romans 5:8).
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
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