4TH WEEK OF EASTER

If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. 

The Jews of Jesus’ time had an idea of what their Messiah would do when he showed up. He would expel their foreign occupiers, rule as king, and bring peace to the whole world. Sounds great, right? No wonder the Jewish leaders in today’s Gospel (John 10:22-30) sounded so excited when they said to Jesus, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly” (John 10:24).

We can sense Jesus’ frustration in his answer. They had seen his words and actions. He had made it pretty obvious that, yes, he was the Messiah. Yet they still didn’t see what was right in front of them.

Jesus was not what these Jews expected. They were hoping for a warrior, and instead, they got a Messiah who spoke about turning the other cheek (Luke 6:29). They were hoping for a military leader who would organize a revolt against Rome. Instead, Jesus poured his time into teaching and healing the poor, the sick, and the rejected. Instead of bringing peace, Jesus seemed to be stirring up all kinds of controversy.

Yet there were some who saw beneath the surface of this humble preacher. Jesus called these followers his “sheep” who hear his voice and trust in his way of leadership (John 10:27). He had changed their lives, and they became committed to him. Over time, they came to realize that the kingdom Jesus was preaching about was not constrained by ethnicity or borders or the politics of the time. In his kingdom, everyone was welcome; everyone was invited to live as he did—in mercy, humility, and self-sacrifice.

God has a way of surprising us with his generosity, and Jesus is the ultimate expression of that generosity. He is a Savior far beyond what any of us could wish for or deserve. He is the visible image of the invisible God, a mystery that he expresses in today’s Gospel when he says, “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30). He offers us something more precious than what any worldly leader can: unfailing love, healing for our wounded souls, and a life in eternity with God.

“Jesus, I believe that you are the Messiah of God. Teach me to be like you.”

Acts 11:19-26
Psalm 87:1-7
John 10:22-30

WORD AMONG US