Trinity: Gospel, John 8:48-59                                                       

John 8:48-59 

“Can’t we all just get along” was a famous quip from Rodney King. He was an African-American man at the very center of the racial unrest in Los Angeles many years ago. Mercilessly beaten, he made his famous query with a genuine cry for reason. The truth of the matter is that human history is truly the history of man’s inability to get along with others. Perhaps “himself” should also be included as one of man’s primary opponents. But people just don’t get along well with each other. 

The gospel text for this week moves us past the “inclusivity” and excitement of Pentecost and plops us back in the “reality” of the gospels. Oh the empowerment and presence of God, the Holy Spirit is wonderful. But what was endured to get us to that point is truly beyond all comprehension.

The deck was stacked against the Son of God from the beginning. Literally whatever left His divine lips was opposed by those who thought they knew the religious gig best. But how wrong, how irreparably wrong they were. John chapter eight is a pointed example. “The Jews” as John labels the enemies of Jesus, were banking on their relationship to Abraham. But what they didn’t understand was that Abraham was banking on his relationship to Jesus, and Jesus knew it. (cf. John 8:56)

Telling the truth can be difficult and often it is costly in the popularity department. Jesus knew it. Jesus tasted and endured it for you and me. But listen to Jesus. It’s always worth it.