Fourth Sunday in Easter: Gospel, John 10:22-30                         

John 10:22-30 

The gospel this week is about normal to length as far as most gospel readings go. And as many feature conversations between Jesus and others, so here. It is a rather stunning conversation because some impatience to get to the bottom of the “Jesus Mystery” presents itself. “The Jews” is a technical term in John’s gospel. He uses it to denote those who don’t get Jesus, and frankly don’t want to. Verse 24: “So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’”

Did they really want the answer? Jesus clarifies by, in effect saying, those who are his get his message. That is amazing in itself, but it’s not what I want us to focus on today. Rather just a few verses later the gist of my focus appears: “I give them eternal life…” (v. 28a). And not even that whole phrase. Just a bit of it. Ready? “I give.”

That’s it. Those two words. Those two monumental words. “I give.” In all that this passage presents, whether it be the feast observed, the temple itself, or the mystery surrounding Jesus Himself, those two words are key. God is always giving. And eternal life, which is the only life God has to give, is also a gift. It makes everything else plain and gives ultimate meaning, not only to the question asked of Jesus above, but to every question we could ever ask Him.

“I give.” You and I only receive. Two words. Two monumental words. They make all the difference.