Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
(Isaiah 49:8-15; John 5:17-30)
In the first three gospels when Jesus is tried by the
Jews, he is accused of calling himself the “son of God.” In the long discourse from John’s gospel
today, Jesus defends that position. Differences
between the so-called synoptic gospels and John are apparent to all readers,
but quite typically careful readers will find that they give basically the same
message.
Jesus defends his relationship of being God’s son in two
ways. First, he claims to do the work of
the Father which is to give life. We might
keep in mind that sons through the ages -- and certainly in first century
Palestine -- often took upon themselves the occupation of their fathers. If their father was a carpenter, they would
likely become carpenters. Thus, being
thought the son of Joseph, Jesus is alternately called the carpenter’s son and
a carpenter. In yesterday’s gospel Jesus
did the work of God, his true father, by healing – a form of giving life which
is God’s prerogative. Second, Jesus does
the work of God by judging, that is by vindicating the good. He vindicates the good by giving life to those
who believe in him.
Today’s gospel is prepping us to celebrate the Easter
mysteries. Then we will be challenged to
believe the proclamation of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection from the dead. Expressing faith by assenting to this
proclamation and living accordingly, we will receive the eternal life they promise.
