Good Works

The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” —John 10:31-32
Jesus just can’t win. Nothing he says or does in John’s Gospel is good enough to satisfy the “Jews.” (John’s phrase for the religious authorities of the time should not be extrapolated to all Jews throughout history.) They are bent on killing him regardless of his good works. When he tells them of his intimacy with God, they are offended. When he heals a lame man, they accuse him of breaking the laws of the Sabbath. When he feeds a crowd of thousands, they are suspicious of his motives. Most of the people in the crowds around Jesus are amazed and grateful for his good works, but the leaders find fault with his words and actions. They can’t let go of their preconceived idea of how the Messiah was supposed to speak and act, so they can’t appreciate what is right in front of them.
FOR ACTION: Be on the lookout for others who are doing good works, even if they aren’t the ones you would naturally expect to be channels of God’s grace. Thank them, show appreciation, or offer to support them.
TO PRAY: Jesus, help me see and appreciate all the good things that people do, whether they do it in your name or not.