34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods’? 35 If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came--and the Scripture cannot be broken-- 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?
In our verses for today Our Lord gives His Jewish hearers a reasoned defense of the faith by appealing to Scripture as His judge of controversy – the plain text of God’s Word settling the dispute of every point. Certainly they knew God’s Word stood unchanging – firmly fixed in the firmament. Boundless in its value, Scripture is settled in the heavens and stands attested by God’s sure and certain faithfulness. The psalmist rightly declares in Psalm 119:
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalms 119:89 (NIV)
Unfortunately, like many today, made up mindsets often fail to listen to reason. Even though these hearers gloried in their possession of the Law, they remained unwilling in this instance to simply seek the Truth from it or properly discern it – big mistake! They were much too busy striving to defend their wrong opinions and actions. Surely, we should seek to avoid treading on such a slippery slope and detrimental path as this. There are many pitfalls we can escape if we choose to correctly handle God’s Word and apply its Truths to our lives. None of Scripture is to be disregarded. Every Word bears weight and is not to be passed over nor neglected. We are not to fail to give proper attention to the entire teaching of Scripture as it is all profitable and useful for both our blessing and benefit.
“Jesus claimed that the Word of God is inspired, accurate, authoritative, infallible, unerring, and trustworthy down to its smallest elements.” Robert J. Morgan
Again, the psalmist proclaims:
91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. 92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Psalms 119:91-93 (NIV)
“Take time to be holy. Speak oft with thy Lord; Abide in Him always, And feed on His Word. Make friends with God’s children; Help those who are weak, Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek. Take time to be holy. The world rushes on; Spend much time in secret With Jesus alone. By looking to Jesus, Like Him thou shalt be; Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see. Take time to be holy. Let Him be thy Guide; And run not before Him, Whatever betide. In joy or in sorrow, Still follow thy Lord, And, looking to Jesus, Still trust in His Word. Take time to be holy, Be calm in thy soul; Each tho’t and each motive Beneath His control; Thus led by His Spirit To fountains of love, Thou soon shall be fitted For service above.” William D. Longstaff
"To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved." George McDonald
Jesus’ argument to these hearers came from Psalm 82 which described human judges as “gods” – certainly not to be confused as Deity rather as simply rulers in the earth – they being God’s representatives here on earth and ever accountable to God in their exalted position. As Israel’s judges were in a sense “sons” of God, it would therefore not have been blasphemous for Jesus to have stated that He is God’s Son. Psalm 82 states:
1 God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment among the "gods": Psalms 82:1 (NIV)
6 "I said, 'You are "gods"; you are all sons of the Most High.' Psalms 82:6 (NIV)
The Father had so honored the Son, had set His seal of approval on Him, had set Him apart as Sacred and Holy and had sent Him to be the Redeemer of mankind. Jesus’ question to His hearers cut to the chase: “Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?” It is as if our Lord blatantly questions them if they dared to call the Word made flesh a liar by accusing Him of blasphemy.
“If demons, whom he came to condemn, had said so of him, it would not have been so strange; but that men, whom he came to teach and save, should say so of him, be astonished, O heavens! at this.” Matthew Henry
What had they missed about our Lord? Do we miss it as well? Why did they refuse to see? Were they so busy defending their wrong positions that they were blinded to Him? Are we so busy defending our wrong positions that Truth evades us as well?
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:11-14 (NIV)
“He knows my strengths, so He can use me for His purpose. He knows my weaknesses, so He can perfect what concerns me. He knows my anxieties, so He can reassure me with His promises. He knows my hurts, so He can apply His salve. He knows my sins, so He can cleanse my soul. He knows my failures, so He can work all things for my good. He knows my past, so He can lead me toward maturity. And He knows my future, so He can lead me all the way.” Robert J. Morgan
“All wise, all good, almighty Lord, Jesus, by highest Heav’n adored.” Charles Wesley