Friday 31 July 2026

Psalm 91

Background
The festival that celebrated the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BC is incidental. The mood is set by the reference to winter: cold and dark. ‘The Jews’ referred to in this passage means the Pharisees. They looked forward to a ‘Messiah’ descended from King David who would reclaim a united kingdom throughout Palestine and expel the Roman overlords. This would inaugurate a new age when Israel would prepare for the Last Day, the general resurrection and final judgement. Only then would the righteous be granted eternal life.

Jesus sets about a radical reinterpretation of this Pharisaic ideology. He refuses to say whether or not he is the Messiah, focusing instead on his ‘works’. Do they speak for themselves? Surely they were ‘good’ works, life-enhancing and liberating? Do they not signal the action of God to anyone with an open mind? And therefore do they not say something important about Jesus? But the Pharisees do not believe.

Jesus also speaks about his community of believers (his ‘flock’), who know his voice. They are known by Jesus and follow him. Jesus gives them eternal life (in the here and now!) so they will never perish. No one can wrench the community from Jesus’ care because they are God the Father’s gift to Jesus – the greatest gift imaginable.

Secondly Jesus speaks of his unique and perfect communion with God the Father. It is expressed in three ways, in verses 30, 36 and 38. The core metaphor is drawn from Jewish family life: a father had the responsibility of educating and training his eldest son to become an image of himself. As the son grew to be a reliable representative of his father; he was then trusted, with discretion, to share his unique knowledge of his father’s values and ambitions. The outcome? Jesus is a full and sufficient expression of the divine Father’s character and will. Jesus is the one to be trusted. His community comprises the new people of God, already living eternal life.

To Ponder:

• Would it be liberating to simplify your ‘religious’ language to focus only on Jesus: to become a conversation with Jesus and a quiet contemplation of his friendship and his presence in your heart?
• At the end of today’s passage, Jesus slipped away from the clutches of the furious Pharisees. He found peace where John the Baptist had baptised him and many others. People remembered the Baptist’s testimony to Jesus, which had come true. (John 1:29-34) So faith in Jesus was kindled. In your life, where do you go to escape the conflicts and noise of everyday discipleship and find renewal?

Prayer
Ever-living Jesus you are the human face of God. We pray to you that the Church may follow where you lead, each and every day. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd David Deeks
David is a Methodist supernumerary presbyter, living in Bristol.