Questions from Jesus : Don't you believe me ? (6) - Proposed reading : John 8. 31-59

Friday February 25, 2022

(Jesus said) : If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me ? He who is of God listens to the words of God ; you don't listen, because you're not of God. John 8. 46, 47

If you remain in my word, you are truly my disciples. John 8. 31

Questions from Jesus : Don't you believe me ? (6) - Proposed reading : John 8. 31-59

This question of Jesus was addressed to Jews who wanted to hear it. But was their faith real or superficial ? They thought they knew the truth. They had received the Law of God by means of Moses, they were descended from Abraham, they believed that they had God as their Father. And yet, during this chapter 8, they react more and more violently to the words of Jesus until they take stones to stone him.

Jesus speaks to them of truth, of freedom, of filiation, but they remain stuck in their interpretations of the Law. He tells them to persevere in his word to be freed. They answer that they do not need liberation since they think they have never been slaves of anyone, which was denied by the Roman occupation. This radical refusal reveals their non-listening. Six times in this chapter, Jesus speaks of truth until he asks them the question : "If I tell the truth, why don't you believe me ?" And he immediately gives the answer : "Because you are not of God."

The truth of which Jesus speaks is not a truth conceived by the human mind, but the revelation of God.

What echo do the words of Jesus have in our hearts and our lives ? Are we prisoners of our conceptions, of our religious practices, or do we live in the freedom of the children of God ? Let the words and questions of Jesus descend into us. Let us open our hearts to his love in order to live in complete freedom, mercy and truth... in the freedom of the children of God.

Source (The Good Seed)