Q: Is It the Works or the Words?

For which of those works do you stone me? John 10:32

Jesus had just finished explaining that He was the Good Shepherd, and His sheep hear His voice. He gives them eternal life, and no one can snatch them from the Father's hand. Then He dropped the bombshell, "I and My Father are one." Not just one in purpose, but one and the same. He and the Father were the same Being. For the third time in His ministry, the Jews picked up stones to stone Him to death for blasphemy. Not the works, the WORDS

As long as Jesus is doing good deeds, healing people, giving them hope, everything was fine. But when HIS WORDS required people to face the reality of who He is, that's when the trouble started.

People are no different. As long as the church, or individual believers are taking care of them, helping them out, encouraging them, they don't mind having us around. But WORDS about a holy God who holds them accountable to His standards bring a quick end to civil conversation.

We as believers aren't much different. We love Jesus as long as He stands beside us, comforts us, carries through, His works. But do we become indignant when faced with the reality of His WORDS? "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me." Or "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." OR "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."

We might never throw rocks, but do we ignore the commands that don't sit with us? Or rationalize the difficult sayings? (He didn't really mean THAT.)

We cannot accept Jesus' works, especially those on our behalf without embracing His WORDS, ALL of His WORDS.