Many of Jesus’ sermons were in the form of parables and give us lessons for use in everyday life.

The Good Samaritan shows us that we are to be good neighbors and help anyone in need. In the parable, The Ten Talents, we learn to make good use of the abilities God has given us. The parable, The Ten Virgins, reminds us to always be ready for the return of the Lord.

This sermon, however, is quite different. In it Jesus gives us the bedrock on which our lives are to be built. He simply tells his audience in Jerusalem that he is the Son of God and that they have refused to believe both his words and his miracles given as proof. In fact, this group was ready to stone Jesus for blasphemy.

In spite of the tenor of his audience, Jesus delivered a poignant closing. He proclaimed that if his listeners did not believe his works then they did not believe him. Further, if they did not believe his words, they should believe his works so they would know that his Father was in him and he was in the Father.

In spite of both his words and works, these Jews still tried to take him to be stoned but Jesus was able to escape.

Continuing our reading through verse 42, we find that Jesus went to the area where John the Baptist preached and many believed on him.

From this sermon I find two applications:

1. Do I believe that Jesus is God’s son and;

2. Do others believe, based on my works and words, that my Father is in me and I am in Him?

What about you?