Friday 21 August 2026

Psalm 107:1-16

Background
For some time, I’ve been trying to explain to someone another person’s limitations, but without being able to give the full story as it would be breaking a confidence. I hope that once the full story is out, the situation will be understood, and I no longer must answer awkward questions.

Earlier in the ‘discourse’ of which today's Bible reading is a part, Peter, Thomas and Phillip had all asked Jesus questions. In each case they were struggling to come to terms with what Jesus was saying about leaving. In today’s reading it is a little-known disciple, ‘Judas, not Iscariot’ who asks the question. His infamous namesake, the betrayer, had already left the group, going out into the darkness.

This Judas may be the ‘Judas, son of James’ mentioned by Luke (6:16). He too was trying to clarify what Jesus was saying. As was so often the case, Jesus didn’t seem to give a direct reply.  As in my dilemma, the full story couldn’t yet be told. Judas wanted to know how it could possibly be that, if Jesus came back as promised, they would see him, but others wouldn’t?  Surely, if he came back then anyone would be able to see him? Jesus had earlier told Phillip to trust him and his works, and to imitate those works. In time, the disciples would understand, but no amount of explanation before Jesus’ death would help. They would only understand in hindsight after Jesus' resurrection, or possibly only after Pentecost (when the Holy Spirit came to them).

Here too, Jesus is encouraging them, as it were, to ‘hang on in there’ and all will be revealed. In replying to Judas, John has Jesus picking up the themes of love and obedience that are key in John’s Gospel and Epistles. Those who love Jesus would follow his example and do the things he had told them to do.  In this way they would come to an ever-deeper relationship with God, the source of Jesus’ words and works. Those who failed to respond to Jesus, or didn’t keep to the way he had set out, would fail to catch sight of him.

To Ponder:

• All of us have some starting point when we ‘meet Jesus’, whether bit by bit through upbringing, or by a sudden encounter. Either way there is a process then of responding to God’s love and developing that relationship.  Look back over your first meeting(s) with God, and see how love and ‘obedience’ (ie following his example) intertwined and led to growth.
• Or if you’re new to faith, what have you seen so far of Jesus' words and works and how do you respond?

Prayer
Loving God, show me the way to live and be. Teach me the truth I need to know and am ready for, and grant me fullness of life in you. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Pamela Cram
Pamela worked in several circuits and ecumenical posts in Wales before retiring in the Swansea Valley, where she is involved in a non-denominational community project; a church partnership with a Welsh independent church; and action for Fairtrade.