Most of us at some point in time have shared something with a person whose response is, “I don’t believe you.” Our reaction may be one of indignant self-righteousness or a registering of personal affront or hurt. We may express anger at the person. Jesus’ response in this passage is one of kindness, grace and soft debate.
The Pharisees in this passage have accused Jesus of blasphemy, not in his actions, but in his saying that he was the Son of the Father. Jesus counters by saying, “If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me.” But, on the other hand, if I do the works, then believe those works and understand “that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Father and Son are one and the same.
Even if the Pharisees do not believe Jesus, the works happen; the works are God’s.
Lord, may we know and understand always that the Father is in Jesus and that Jesus is in the Father. Amen. —