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PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Study 29– October 8th to 14th 2007.
Reading – John Chapter Ch10: verses 22-33.

“We are stoning you not because of any of the miracles you have done, replied the Jews, but for blasphemy, because you a mere man, claim to be God.” John Chapter 10: verse 33. (NIV)

Under the Pressure Cooker.

Sandra and I have just returned from New Zealand were we visited Rotorua where volcanic eruptions have occurred over many years and left its marks with many hot springs and the heat lying just beneath the surface.

As golfers we are well aware of the transition from being an elite amateur player into the professional ranks. For some this transition happens easily while for others it takes time and for others it never happens. There is no one reason why some make it and others do, but one factor is how you handle the pressure cooker situation of playing the game at an elite level where so many players are of similar ability. There are many who crack under the pressure.

There is a big difference in the temperature from your local golf stableford event to playing in the Australian Open for example. Then there is another big step from there onto the world stage.

What helps in this pressure cooker situation is the belief in your ability. It also helps to be comfortable around those who have made it before you. Experience also helps; the more times you are there, the more chances you have of success. If we could bottle this recipe for success and take it, someone would be famous.

For Jesus and the Jews in our reading today the pressure of conflict has been boiling beneath the surface and is ready to explode. The heart of the conflict is about who is Jesus and the significance of his life. For the Jews Jesus is a mere man, whose words, actions and deeds amount to one who is seeking to make a name for himself.

For Jesus he is one with God who has been anointed with God’s Spirit to bring in a new time of God’s favor and relationship. For Jesus he and the father are one. The two different perspectives between Jesus and the Jews could not be more different.

How will this pressure be released? The Jews seek to stone Jesus and arrest him but he escapes. There time will come however when they will be successful. The pressure cooker will be released in Jesus being put to death. The Jews will think this is the end, but not so. Another pressure will be released; Jesus will rise from the dead.
The whole of Jesus’ life speaks of something unique happening. His birth, miracles, healings, teaching and ultimately his death and rising again, his ascension into heaven and his return to this world one day set him apart as God’s anointed Son.

For each of us we have to make a decision about who we think Jesus is. Jesus is not someone we can discard and stone as a fanatic or good man but as the one who gives eternal life to all who believe.
Jesus shows incredible courage and self-belief under pressure when he is crucified. He wins the conflict not by avoiding death, but by showing how the innocent have courage and the guilty are corrupt.

How will we handle the pressure cooker situation when we die and have to face the Lord Jesus Christ who is the judge of the living and the death? Every knee will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Prayer
Lord God, give me the courage to face the pressure of life with your peace and presence. Amen.

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