Do I Know Him?

 

  Jn 7:1-3, 10, 25-30

Jesus Goes to the Festival of Tabernacles

7 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. ² But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near ³ Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do.

¹⁰ However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.

Division Over Who Jesus Is

²⁵ At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? ²⁶ Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? ²⁷ But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.”

²⁸ Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, ²⁹ but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.”

³⁰ At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.

Things are getting more and more threatening as opposition to Jesus increases. He stands fast and continues to antagonize the authorities.  He has a mission to accomplish and he remains faithful to it. He challenges his opponents fearlessly, paving the way to the cross, the instrument of our redemption.  This is why he came.  Do I know him? Do I accept him? Do I try to follow him as best I can?  Food for thought as we move closer to the fifth week of Lent and Good Friday in two weeks.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, increase my faith and loyalty to you as I witness your steadfast determination to accomplish your mission. Amen.