He’s the One
Opening Prayer
Christ, I choose to honor You today. Fill my heart with faith as I meet You in Your Word today.
Read John 10:22–42
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’? 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Think of a time when someone has refused to believe you for some reason. How did that make you feel? What did you do?This passage is about power and authority. Jesus is in the Temple during the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah), when the Jews gave thanks for Judas Maccabeus recapturing the Temple in 167 B.C. after its capture and desecration by Antiochus Epiphanes. He was made king to celebrate, so the
festival also had a focus on kingship. The kings of Israel were pictured as shepherds. However, some of the Jews still want to know who Jesus is (24). Many of them still can’t believe that Jesus is the one, true, good shepherd.
The Jewish opponents again try to stone Jesus (31). What reason do they give (33)?
Jesus has one final attempt at gaining their understanding (34–38). Verse 36 is key to understanding the rather puzzling reference to Psalm 82:6 in verse 34. Jesus uses it to prove that he gives his opponents one last chance to accept him (38). What did he tell them they needed to do? What was their response (39)?
Jesus’ opponents may have opposed him to the last, but when he went back to the rural area around the Jordan (40) many people came to believe in him.
Apply
Do you truly believe that Jesus is who he says he is? How does that affect your daily life? Does anything need to change?
Closing prayer
Good Shepherd, I pray for church leaders seeking to model You, that they will be encouraged today as they care for their flock.
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