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April 5, 2022“When You Lift Up the Son of Man, You Will Come to Realize that I AM….”
Today’s gospel from John (8:21-30) is in the context of an exchange with a group of Pharisees. Not surprisingly, there is not much mutual understanding taking place between them. They “see” things from a this-world perspective and fail to see things from Jesus’ perspective, which is rooted in ‘another’ world and is in keeping with His Father’s will.
In short, John’s gospel is very concerned with Jesus’ identity and belief (or lack thereof) in who Jesus says that He is. “I AM” echoes the words of Yahweh to Moses in the Old Testament when Moses asks Yahweh to identify Himself. In this immediate context, these are very audacious words for Jesus to use.
This gospel is the last to be written. Therefore, it reflects a good deal more “theological reflection” than the other 3 (synoptic) gospels. It is much more “christological” and is the ‘meat and potatoes’ of systematic theology. It provides the grist for reflecting on Who Jesus was/is in the light of the Resurrection.
In addition to dialogues taking place on at least 2 different levels at the same time (as is the case today), words can have more than one meaning.
For example, the term to “lift up”. It will recur many times in the coming weeks. It refers both to Jesus being lifted up on the Cross and also from the dead. His glorification is inextricably connected to His suffering. In ways we can’t understand, with this event suffering (often seemingly without explanation) now has meaning. THIS is no small thing!
All this is the “stuff” of professional theologians, much of which is ‘beyond the pay scale’ of most people, myself included.
It is obviously very important that we all have at least an adequate understanding Who Jesus is. This is the function of theology.
And belief is equally important.
But this requires our intellectual assent. I can assent intellectually to any number of things that have little or no effect on my daily life. Is there any chance that some of us ‘rest easy’ in this realm only?
I once heard someone say that Christianity is “not a spectator sport”.
Jesus also said in no uncertain terms, “Follow Me!”
How does my understanding of Jesus enrich and challenge me in my daily efforts to follow Him?
How is my life different precisely because of my belief?
