OPEN EYES, OPEN EARS
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Opening Prayer
Father, I am humbled by your love for me, love undeserved and freely given. Help me, that the love I offer in return will be expressed and shine for others to see, drawing them to you.
Read JOHN 10:22–42
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication[a] 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[b]; 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”’[c]? 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.
Footnotes
- John 10:22 That is, Hanukkah
- John 10:29 Many early manuscripts What my Father has given me is greater than all
- John 10:34 Psalm 82:6
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
‘… you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord.’1
‘Yes or no?’ asks the interviewer; ‘It is a simple question.’ In our age of soundbites, demands that messages be distilled into a couple of sentences make a victim of the truth. We can be too heavy-handed, determined to squeeze people into boxes so we can shut them off if we disagree. Perhaps it always has been so: ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly,’ insist the people (v. 24).
Is it significant that this exchange occurs at the Festival of Dedication (v. 22), when Jews recall the 164 BC purification of the temple after it had been appallingly desecrated? Jesus’ questioners are reliving the military and political victory that recovered Jerusalem from the Seleucid Empire. As they light each festal candle, they are celebrating freedom to worship in their rededicated temple. This triumph was hard-fought and defended fiercely. The tragic irony is that they fail to recognize Jesus as the dazzling fulfillment of the feast. Over the months, they have labeled him mad and demon- possessed, now a blasphemer.
Jesus will not answer ‘yes or no’ because their assumptions are narrowminded and their messianic expectations are rigid. If only they could hear what he is really saying! He describes the unity of will and work that he shares with the Father. He reminds them of the scriptural precedent of those set apart to be called ‘gods’ and ‘sons of the Most High’ (v. 34).2 He points to his life-giving miracles. He is the true Temple, enabling God’s people to worship him. So, in rejecting him, they become the desecrated. Jesus leaves and returns to the Jordan where it all began, where John declared the coming of One who would sanctify God’s people. There, Jesus finds sheep who do hear his call, who put their trust in him.
Apply
Recall a recent discussion about faith with a non-Christian. What were the issues behind their questions and remarks? What do they need to hear and accept?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, thank you for my faith in Jesus, for moving in my mind and heart in ways that enabled me to respond to his call and to follow him.
1 Ezek 34:7 2 Ps 82:6
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