A few weeks ago, we had the privilege of finishing our preaching through John 10. In the last sermon of that series, I attempted to "take on" verses 22-42 in one fell swoop...and almost succeeded! In light of the confusion surrounding that text, I thought it would be fun to give a sample or sneak peek of the commentary I wrote for the gospel of John, which we will be publishing sometime in the near future. So, please let me know your thoughts. Enjoy!
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I and the Father Are One
John 10:22-42
22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken— 36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 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 am in the Father.” 39 Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. 40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. 41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there.
Explanation
John continues this time with Jesus’ teaching ministry and takes us to a scene that both builds on the last and yet stands on its own. Our text will break down into the following sections: The Start (v. 22-24), The Statement (v. 25-31), The Skepticism (v. 32-33), The Standard (v. 34-38), and The Summation (v. 39-42).
The scene is set in wintertime (v. 22) during the Feast of Dedication. While Jesus is walking in the temple (v. 23-24), the Jews ask Him the same things they have already asked so many times. Jesus responds (v. 25) that He has already told them.
The problem is not Jesus’ lack of communication but their lack of belief. If they were His true sheep (v. 26), they would’ve believed (v. 27) because His sheep recognize His voice and follow Him. Those whom Christ save (v. 29-30) are eternally secure in Jesus’ hand, doubly so since they are also in the Father’s.
Jesus then levels another Divine claim at the Jews by saying He and the Father are one. The Jews immediately move to stone Jesus (v. 31) but apparently pause to listen to what He has to say. Jesus points to His life and His work (v. 32) and asks why they would stone Him for these things. The Jews' response (v. 33) shows that they care little for the Savior standing in front of Him but care most about protecting their religious idols.
Jesus challenges their response (v. 34-36) by bringing their attention to the verbiage of the Old Testament. Jesus quotes Psalm 82:6 to show how mankind, as God’s representatives, is called Elohim. Elohim is translated, depending on the context, as heavenly beings, God Himself, and even judges in Exodus 22:8-9. If the Scriptures speak of mankind as Elohim, how much more fitting would it be for Jesus to call Himself the Son of God since He was consecrated and sent by the Father? Jesus is arguing from the lesser to the greater, claiming much more than being a mere representative of God.
Jesus points again to his life and signs (v. 37-38). If these are fake, they should not believe in Him, but if they are real, Jesus’ Divine claim is valid. Once again, His adversaries desire to seize Him (v. 39). He escapes the situation (v. 40) and travels back to where John had been baptizing.
Many come to Him there (v. 41-42), comparing Him to John and believing in Jesus. If they had believed John to be a prophet without him having performed any signs, how much more so should they believe in the One of whom he had spoken truthfully of, who was performing signs before their very eyes?
Application
In our postmodern world, this much logic and truth could overwhelm anyone. Let us seek to apply this text to our lives.
We must be reminded of Jesus’ words that once the gospel has been presented clearly to someone, the issue is no longer communication but unbelief. While we must continue to share the good news with those around us, it is important we rest in the reality that souls are saved by God in His way and in His timing. So long as we have presented the good news clearly to others, we should walk forward with a clear conscience, knowing that God is the Savior, not us!
We would do well to follow Christ’s example of using the Old Testament to defend Himself. Too often, we can find ourselves lacking in our knowledge of God’s word, and yet if we would take the time to intentionally grow in, say, the Messianic Scriptures of the Old Testament, we would profit greatly. (and those whom we come into contact with). Do not forget that the Old Testament speaks of and points to Jesus!
May God bless your week as you seek His kingdom first!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Dan
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