The Gospel
The Jews took up stones again to stone Jesus. 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 being, 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.” Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.
He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there.
The Offering
From Declan Doyle
I understand why the Hebrews would have been afraid of Jesus. He may have been the son of god, but he would hardly be the first to make that claim. They made the laws for a reason, after all, and Jewish people are no strangers to being exploited, even back then. I think it can be good to keep healthy skepticism.
In the reading, Jesus didn’t say, “look at what I’m doing. This should be proof.” He said to believe the scripture. He probably knew that they were afraid that someone would come along and try to be a new pharaoh or king and try to enslave them. So instead he tells them to watch what he does and make their own conclusion. Whether they believe him or not, does not change the fact that he was doing good things and helping people. So be skeptical if you need to, but keep an open mind. Also, don’t punish someone who hasn’t done any harm.