Thursday, April 7
John 8:51-59
Friends, in today’s Gospel reading,
we see Jesus being uncharacteristically strong in his claim of his
identity and his relationship with the Father. He says, “even before
Abraham was, I AM,” and that he would be lying if did not profess
that. The Jews were outraged at Jesus’ claim of being divine and picked
up stones to kill him.
Why was it so important to Jesus
that he professed who he was? He risked being stoned and was ultimately
killed precisely for his blasphemous claim. How vital is it for us to
know that Jesus is both human and divine?
The dual nature of Jesus is at the
heart of our faith. Salvation is the coming together of heaven and
earth. This is our promised hope. Jesus, in whom humanity and divinity
come together, fulfills the promise of God’s kingdom on earth. As St.
Athanasius puts it, if Jesus were only divine, then we are not saved,
for he couldn’t take our place. And if he were only human, then we are
not saved, for Jesus would be in the same boat as we are, also in need
of saving.
Reflection by Keith Tan
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