Even in the darkness

John 10:31-42

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?” The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled— can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.

 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there.

Taking up stones to harm

An answer to a threat perceived

and misunderstood.

Taking up stones to harm

A way out of confronting the truth

that was staring them in the face.

Taking up stones to harm

A reaction that covers the predicament

of feeling way out of our depth.

Even in the darkness

Light may be found

Even in the darkness

Good overcomes evil

Even in the darkness

Hope prevails

And so we continue

to look for signs

of love at work

in the darkness

And seek ways to avoid the instinct

to take up stones.