In the Gospel of John, Jesus faces tense questions from the Jewish leaders as early as chapter two and throughout the Gospel. During his ministry it seems that Jesus is continuously on trial. Today the Jewish leaders ask Jesus about his identity as the Messiah or Christ.

Jesus responds to these questions by referring to his actions - he does the works of the Father. Healing the sick, feeding the hungry and speaking the word of God are all tangible signs of the Father's love for humanity. Jesus is God physically present in the world.

For some, this is simply unbelievable. The Jewish leaders cannot accept that Jesus and the Father are one. As a result, Jesus' relationship with the Father becomes a stumbling block for them. How can this man be the Christ?

Barnabas, Paul, and other early believers, however, embrace Jesus as the Christ of God. They cooperate with the 'hand of the Lord' in their lives, God works through them and a great many are brought to the Lord. Gradually, such cooperation with God leads them to discover personally that there is grace and joy in this life of faith. They are among the first to be called "Christians".

Do I believe that the hand of the Lord is at work in my life today?