Sometimes, we can become so familiar with Jesus' humanity that we cannot see the mystery of God in him. This is what was happening in this text. The Jews were staring blindly at the humanity of the historical Jesus and failing to recognise and acknowledge his divinity. When we do this, we can easily ‘take offence’ at what Jesus says or ‘grumble’ about him.
Jesus is, in reality, the ‘son of Joseph’ and his mother, Mary. But Jesus is also absolutely correct when he claims, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ The Spirit helps us see, understand, believe, and hold both facts within ourselves—our minds and hearts—equally if we allow and desire this to happen.
In truth, we need both. There are times when we need Jesus, the friend, to make known
and demonstrate the nature and love of God to us in an honest and almost tangible way. There are other times when we unexpectedly and surprisingly catch a glimpse, have a sense of or become aware of the equal reality of the power and majesty of Almighty God in Jesus because of the things Jesus says and does.
When we speak of having an ‘image of God’, surely both realities are incorporated?
In what ways and when am I inclined to ‘reduce’ my understanding and image of Jesus to just his humanity?
Are there times when I spiritualise my understanding of Jesus, seeing him as unreachable?
Reflections by Reggie Venter
