John 10:34-38 "Jesus answered, 'Is it now written in your law, 'I said you are gods?'..."

“Jesus answered, ‘Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled—can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father” (John 10:34-38).

Question:

What do you think Jesus meant by “set apart as his very own”?

Comment:

You are referring to a different translation from the New Revised Standard Version that I use. I assume that what is here translated as “sanctified” reads “set apart as his very own” in your translation. There’s a significant difference. Jesus is responding to critical Pharisees by discussing and describing the Christ—the Presence of God that is the truth of who we are. It is the Christ—the divine idea of absolute and infinite Good—that is “sent into the world” by our divine Source. We are each “sanctified” to realize and express our innate divinity through our beliefs and our choices. To suggest that some are specifically “set apart” suggests that the loving Power of God plays favorites—that some of us are chosen and set apart, while others are left out in the cold. The Allness of God is everywhere present, and equally present. We are all sanctified to spiritual purpose—and it is by accepting that sanctity that we assume our roles in creating the kingdom of heaven.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed