This kind of talk caused another split in the Jewish ranks. A lot of them were saying, "He’s crazy, a maniac—out of his head completely. Why bother listening to him?" But others weren’t so sure: "These aren’t the words of a crazy man. Can a ‘maniac’ open blind eyes?" John 10:19-21 (TM)
Jesus has always created division. When he lived on Earth in the flesh he was constantly at the center of controversy. The Jews were split, the public was split, his own family was split. People were trying to make him king as others tried repeatedly to kill him or have him killed. It should come as no surprise. There are two sides to the eternal conflict. Thus, good, evil and the conflict between the two are at the heart of every great story. Wherever good is present you will find evil present to combat it and the result is conflict.
Jesus’ teachings call each person to make a choice: believe or don’t (and in avoiding the decision you make your choice clear). To this day, that call to choose, and the and the subsequent simple act of faith splits friends, churches, communities, and families.
14″I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father.
This is a beautiful picture of if a=b and b=c then does a=c? Christ is our link to the Father. I thank God for that!