John 10:22-42

Summary
In this chapter, the Pharisees came to meet Jesus, asking him to convince them that he is the long awaited saviour of the Jews. Jesus responded that though he has told them in words and deeds that he was the Christ, they still ceased to believe him. The Pharisees having their ears full of the truth that Jesus and God the father are one, tried to stone him. They told Jesus that he deserved to be stoned because he made himself equal with God. The prophets of old were regarded as gods because the word of God came through them. Jesus wondered why it was so difficult for them to receive him as the son of God that he is?
He concluded this chapter by telling them that they had a choice to believe him, even if they didn’t believe in his words, the works he did was enough evidence that he was sent from God. He later left their midst to go to Jordan as some plotted to kill him. The people received, listened and believed him when He got to Jordan.

Life application
We should always live our lives by the word, and not by the dictates of the world. Jesus possessed all the glaring signs of the son of God, yet the Pharisees doubted him. In our walk with God, the world will question our faith, bible based principles and values.

Personal declaration
Because I am a true child of God, I will not compromise my faith, identity and kingdom realities for earthly acceptance.

Reading – John 10:22-42

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 round 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 baptising 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:

1. John 10:22 That is, Hanukkah
2. John 10:29 Many early manuscripts What my Father has given me is greater than all
3. John 10:34 Psalm 82:6