John 10:34-36 … on being “gods” (09/15/13)
And Jesus answered them, saying: “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and scripture cannot be broken), how can you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ merely because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?” ~ John 10:34-36
Taken at face value, this is a troubling set of verses in many ways … For Christians, Jesus is seen quoting Psalm 82:6 (which he reminds us is still valid scriptural law) to seemingly imply that all are not only divine creations, but in and of themselves “gods”. How can this be, when Jesus in so many other places in the Bible clearly repeats the message that there is only one Father, and that only that one God is to be worshiped?
And for non-Christians, verse 36 shows Jesus seemingly raising himself above the rest of humanity; seemingly calling to be revered as the one and only Son of God. How can this be, when Jesus in so many other places in the Bible goes out of his way to tell others NOT to worship him — but only to honor the Father; to NOT succumb to pride & hubris — but instead become “humble as a child”?
Well, I’ve got some GOOD NEWS for both camps of believers (or non-believers, as it were): both of these conundrums are reconcilable by simply focusing on the core of Jesus’ ministry, and then going forth to live accordingly.
Christians can realize that Jesus is NOT calling us all to arrogantly place ourselves above our problems and above others and above God as “gods”, but is rather reminding us all that we have a Divine Spark within us — a “Holy Spirit” that wants to do Good — an “Advocate Within” (the conscience) that only wants us to make our lives meaning-full by serving those nearby who are in need.
And non-Christians can understand that Jesus is NOT placing himself on some sort of pedestal here; that he is NOT asking us to worship him in any way, shape or form — but that he is rather reminding us that our greatest Contentment & our deepest Bliss will come to us in all those moments when we emulate his Way of Living; when we follow his Way of selfless LOVE.
“On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” ~ John 14:20
And best of all, this greater Salvation — this direct admission into his Here&Now version of “the Kingdom of Heaven” (see Luke 17:20-21) is available to every single sentient being who chooses to set aside self-centered fear & selfish desire in favor of Caring for others — and this regardless of his or her or its species or gender or race or nationality or religion or sexual orientation.
“I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to offer the world salvation. ” ~ Jesus Christ (John 12:47)
Indeed, it is time that we ALL woke up to what Jesus seemed to know all along: that the entire Earth is a Holy Land — a potential Paradise of Peace, and that each and every one of us has been Chosen from birth to do our part to make it so.
Amen!
“Blessed are the Peacemakers.” ~ Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:9)
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