Daily Bread

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one."

This week's Insight leans into the idea that there is a progressive relation of God in the world — that over time, the nature, character, and will of God is being revealed. I suppose that, because God is ultimately 'unknowable' (in the sense that God is much bigger than we will ever comprehend) it makes sense that there is always more to learn about God.

In this Bible passage Jesus ended with an incredible revelation. He reminded his listeners that he and the Father were one — that he was and is God. They didn't recognise him as such, but here it is, written for us in black and white. If you have seen Jesus then you have seen God!

Jesus was a full revelation of who God was. It is why, as Christians, if we want to understand the character of God we look at Jesus. It is also why we worship Jesus!

But... we are not party to every conversation Jesus had. We are not party to every miracle or healing he performed. We are not able to ask him, face-to-face, questions about gender, sexuality, the environment, medicine, genetics, or AI — or a whole myriad of issues with which we, in the modern world, are concerned. And so, the only way we can get answers to these things is to do three things.

The first thing we do is to look backwards. Is the 'thing' for which we would like an answer in line with the trajectory of scripture. Is it moving towards being more loving, more welcoming, and more inclusive?

The second thing we do is look to the present. Is it line with the 'golden' rule of mercy trumping judgement? And is it putting God, others, and the environment ahead of (but not necessarily at the expense of) our own needs and wants?

And the third thing we do, is look to the future by listening to the Holy Spirt, and sensing God's supernatural leading or prompting — often confirmed through the hearts and minds of other Spirit-filled believers.

The good news of the Gospel is that we can meet and experience Jesus in the here and now as, together, we work with God to be a blessing to the world.

Holy God
I believe and trust in your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power of your Holy Spirit,
help me to hear your voice and to follow you.
Thank you that you know me, have given me life,
and that no-one will ever snatch me from your hand.
May I continue to work for your praise and glory
and be a blessing in your world.
Amen.