We have all seen movies that center on court scenes. At a certain point, after all the arguments and testimonies, the judge hits the desk with a gavel. Case closed. There is a chilling finality that comes with the sound of the gavel.
We have such a moment in today’s gospel selection (John 8:21-30).
Jesus addressed the Pharisees for the last time. This time is not by way of defending himself but by pronouncing judgment.
“I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come.”
After they discussed among themselves the meaning of his remark, Jesus repeated:
“You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.”
“So they said to him, ‘Who are you?’”
Apparently, Jesus got their attention when he said they would die in their sins.
“What I told you from the beginning, I have much to say about you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world…When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but only what the Father taught me.”
Because this group did not believe that Jesus was “I AM”—coequal with the Father, yet obedient to the Father—they would receive words of condemnation from Jesus. Only after they lifted Jesus on the cross, would they realize who he was.
These are tough words. They are chilling words because Jesus is speaking with the authority of God, and he speaks with finality.
The passage closes with a positive remark.
“Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.”
This is encouraging. “Many,” after hearing Jesus speak with such conviction and authority came to believe in him. We would like to think that even some of the Pharisees when they realized the dire consequences of their disbelief, also repented and believed at that moment.
When we hear these words of Jesus, we too are challenged to reaffirm our belief in him and surrender to his Lordship in our lives. Throughout the gospel we see the compassion of Jesus extended toward repentant sinners. His heart went out even to tax collectors and prostitutes, when they sought him out. When he looked upon the crowds he realized they were wandering through life like sheep without a shepherd. His heart is melted when he finds a lost sheep.
With those who were in official leadership positions among the Jews became adamant in their resistance to Jesus, the justice of Jesus was manifested. They were facing Jesus for the last time and about to die in their sins.
This sobering moment prompts us all to reaffirm our belief in Jesus—he is the only begotten son of the Father—and to repent of our unbelief. Though Jesus is compassionate toward sinners, he is not wishy-washy in pronouncing the truth.
We enter the final two weeks of Lent. Already we are getting glimpses of what is to come. Jesus being “lifted up” foretells his crucifixion. Today we renew our spirit of prayer and penance as we enter the holiest time of the year.
“When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to myself” (John 12:32)
