John the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone you not; but for blasphemy; and because that you, being a man, make yourself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, You are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken. Say you of him, whom the Father has sanctified, and sent into the world, You blaspheme; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not”, and in chapter ten and verse thirty-eight of his book John shared how Jesus said, “believe the works" where we read:
But if I do, though you believe not me, believe the works:
that you may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
The verse reads, “But if I do, though you believe not me, believe the works:” John began with Jesus' words, “But if I do” which means “however, whether and since I, Jesus, perform, make ready and produce”, “though you believe not me” or “even if you, Jewish people, do not trust in, rely upon, have confidence in or cling to me, Jesus”, “believe the works” which means “rely upon, trust, have confidence in and cling to the acts and deeds”. John shared how Jesus continued His discussion with the Jewish people who desired to “stone” Him that even if they did not “trust in” Him, they should “trust in” the “acts and deeds” He performed.
The verse goes on to say, “that you may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.” John continued with the words, “that you may know” which means “so you, Jewish people, might understand, perceive, have knowledge of and become acquainted”, “and believe” or “and rely upon, trust in, have confidence in and cling to the idea”, “that the Father” which means “that the Heavenly Father God” “is in me” or “exists within me, Jesus”, “and I in him” which means “and I, Jesus, within him, God the Father”. John shared how Jesus encouraged the “Jewish people” who desired to “stone” Him to examine the “acts and deeds” He performed so they would “understand” and “trust” that God the Father was within Him, and He was within the “Father God”.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus appealed to the Jewish people who desired to “stone” Him to examine the “acts and deeds” He performed and “trust in” them even if they did not trust in Him. This would cause them to “understand” how God the Father was in Him and He was in God. In other words, they were “One”. God was in Jesus Christ working within the world, and because He desired to have a personal relationship with everyone through Jesus, anyone who believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and be granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will carefully consider Jesus' words and understand and believe that He is the Christ of God who came to “save” the world.
Next time John shares how the Jews, “sought again to take him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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