Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 11:19-26; John 10:22-30)
The Jews want Jesus to reveal his full identity. They see that he is a capable teacher and prodigious
deeds. But is he the long-awaited
Messiah? “’If you are the Christ, tell
us plainly,’” they demand. Of course,
they mean the one who will convert his knowledge into battle strategy and his
deeds into victory over their Roman occupiers.
Many today unknowingly ask the same question of Jesus. Is he the Messiah? Of course, they do not mean a military hero
but one who could assure fulfilment of their desires. They see their salvation in a meaningful life
with challenging work, the benefits of large compensation, and interesting
friends.
But these outcomes are not what Jesus promises in the Gospel. Especially in the version of John, Jesus
offers his followers “eternal life.” For
most this means a heavenly placement after death. And that’s too “iffy” of a proposition to hold
their attention. So, they place their
hopes in the expectations from being accepted to a top-tiered university:
prestige, connections, even a good education.
But Jesus’ offer of “eternal life” includes more than out of
this world retirement benefits. It is
being part of his flock with him as a sure guide whom they can encounter
spiritually. It is living with the other
“sheep” – some of whom exceed us in every way.
It is knowing that the trials, which all lives have, are not obstacles
in the way of happiness. On the
contrary, they are facilitators of a closer relationship with the one who
conquered death. How can we not accept
him as Messiah?
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