5TH WEEK OF LENT

Even if you do not believe me, believe the works.

You may not see it at first, but today’s Gospel gives us a hint of the resurrection. How? It’s hidden in the “works” that Jesus says can help people “believe” (John 10:38).

Some of the Jews who were listening to Jesus wanted to stone him because he said he was the Son of God. Of course, we know that Jesus truly is the Son of God. But at the time, making such a claim was blasphemy. What did Jesus tell them in response? He said that if they couldn’t believe his words, they should believe his works (John 10:38).

Now, Jesus had performed a lot of works during his ministry that these Jews would have observed. In John’s Gospel alone, Jesus changed water into wine (2:1-11), healed a royal official’s son (4:46-54), healed a paralyzed man (5:1-18), multiplied loaves and fish to feed over five thousand people (6:1-14), walked on water (6:16-21), and healed a man who had been born blind (9:1-41). Surely, Jesus was pointing them to these miracles.

But there was one final “work” that Jesus would perform that would prove beyond all shadow of doubt that he is the Son of God and that he has the Father’s authority. The crowds hadn’t seen it yet, but the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44) would give them a clue. It is Jesus’ resurrection!

We have the benefit of knowing that Jesus, though crucified, has risen from the dead. But there might be times when that knowledge doesn’t affect our day-to-day attitudes. When we’re going through difficulty, for instance, encouraging words may ring hollow and memories of God’s faithfulness might fade. We struggle to believe. That’s the time to fix our eyes on Jesus’ works, most specifically his resurrection. Because the resurrection is the culmination of all the mighty deeds Jesus performed in his lifetime. It provides the proof that we can hang onto. It can help us to believe.

“Jesus, enflame my faith, not just in the many miracles you performed, but in your own resurrection from the dead. Help me believe that you are Lord and God!”

Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm 18:2-7
John 10:31-42