Scripture Reading
John 10:31-38 (NRSVUE)
The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled— can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
Introductory Remarks:
Jesus chose to see himself as ‘One’ with God’s nature and never ‘separate’ from God’s power or God’s plan. He identified with God, first and foremost and not with the challenges before him. His choice blesses us today when we are audacious enough to choose as he did.
Major Points of the Lesson:
- As Wayshower, Jesus, through his powerful and courageous choices, shows us the importance of identifying with God, alone, at all times.
- Every life event is asking one question: Who are you?
Quote: “The true self of you, the Christ, spiritual man, is the individualization of God. You are the Presence of God at the point where you are. Thus, it is true of you as it was of Jesus, ‘I and the Father are one.’ You are an individualised part, but the whole is always in the part; thus God is within you…God is in you as the ocean is in a wave. The wave is nothing more nor less than the ocean expressing as a wave.” Eric Butterworth’s, Discover the Power Within, pgs. 33-34.