John 10:22-30 (NRSV)
Read John 10:22-30 on biblegateway.com
Verse 22At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, Verse 23and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. Verse 24So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Verse 25Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; Verse 26but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. Verse 27My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. Verse 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. Verse 29What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. Verse 30The Father and I are one."
Devotion
A rabbi recently told a group of Christians that if you want to understand Judaism you must understand one word: “question.” He said this is because Judaism is built on the premise of questioning everything. The minute one statement is made or a story is told everyone starts to ask questions about its meaning. It is no wonder that Jesus was quizzed by the Jewish leaders.
Don’t we all find that we have questions or doubts? I once bought a book titled, “The Faith to Doubt”. I loved the title and the book because it reminded me that we all have questions and doubts. Our faith life is a journey that brings us into situations and events that are bewildering. Doubt and questioning are a very normal part of our faith life.
Prayer
Gracious God, give us the faith to doubt, the faith to question. Let us trust that you will reveal your will in the midst of our confusion. Amen.