March 20 | John 8:21-30

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DAILY READING

John 8:21-30

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REFLECTION

Paradox

By Jennifer Jerrome

We have the privilege of knowing that Jesus was fully human and fully divine from the start because we have the Bible and history to tell us. For those living in real time with Jesus, their first encounter was with the human man. Some accepted his divinity quickly, but for many, his divine nature wasn’t realized/accepted until after the Resurrection.

It seems as if Jesus spent the beginning of his ministry leaning into his humanity. He skillfully built relationships with his followers based on trust and understanding precisely because he was human. Would a supernatural deity be able to integrate himself so genuinely into the world?

There’s a paradox to all of this… He was the “same,” but different. “I’m one of you, but I’m not.”

A paradox is a contradiction – something that appears incongruent, but upon further investigation turns out to be true. Some say Jesus is the “Absolute Paradox.” Christ being both human and divine is the foundation of Christianity.

Earlier in the Gospel of John, Jesus is clear that “My hour has not yet come” (2:4) and “My time is not yet here” (7:6). By the time we get to today’s scripture, Jesus’ divinity is no secret, but it’s also not universally recognized. The Bible tells us that after he started preaching, lots of energy was devoted to debating the issue: Was he God or wasn’t he?

By John 8 Jesus has legions of followers, but how many of them truly understand his divine nature? How many know that it’s HIM who will be raised on the third day?

When he says in verse 21, “Where I go, you cannot come” they didn’t understand. They were used to going wherever he went, so why would it be different now? Why couldn’t they continue to follow him?

In verse 23, we see him lean into his divinity…” You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” Here Jesus is separating himself from his human friends, family, and followers. They thought they knew him, but now they’re not so sure.

“Who are you?” they asked (v. 25).

I can hear Jesus say, “Haven’t you been listening? I’ve told you repeatedly who I am. I am God’s mouthpiece.” “What I have heard from him I tell the world,” (v. 26). More fully, “I am he... and speak just what the Father has taught me,” (v. 28).

It was hard for them to comprehend all those years ago, so where do we stand today? We have all the information up front. We know the story, but do we believe it? If we were walking the roads of Jerusalem, would we accept the paradox or would we continue to ask, “Who are you?”

For me it seems an easy answer to say I’d jump right in and believe without a doubt. Especially when I saw him perform miracles. Wouldn’t that have been enough? But I’m not so sure.

The truth is it wasn’t Jesus’ main mission to convince us of his co-existing humanness and divinity. Now would it help to believe? Sure! He wanted everyone to believe in him and what he was saying. Would it have been easier for him if the Pharisees and Sadducees believed? Sure! But that’s not the way it happened.

What happened was Jesus lived a fully human life on earth while also being fully divine. He was crucified, died, and was buried. And on the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures. I grew up saying the Nicene Creed and I think it’s fitting to use as our prayer today. May you have the faith to believe that anything is possible with God, especially that He would send his Son to grow, preach, teach, and save us all.

PRAYER

Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JENNIFER JERROME

I have known I was a child of God from the beginning. I was baptized and raised in the Catholic church and began attending UALC about 18 years ago when my husband I were searching for a place to worship and serve as a family. UALC has helped shape our faith over the years. We have been through several seasons of life and the constant has been our faith and family.