Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?” John 10:32 WEB
During the “Feast of the Dedication” better known as Hanukkah, Jesus is confronted by religious Jews as he walks Solomon’s porch at the temple in Jerusalem. They demand that Jesus reveal whether or not he is the Messiah.
This mob of men already knew that Jesus performed miracles, casting out demons and healing the sick. Jesus had made it clear that he was in fact the Messiah as he plainly tells them. What these men were looking for was an opportunity to stone Christ to death for the alleged sin of blasphemy.
Jesus answers their insistence to verify or deny his divinity with these words from John 10:25-26, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me. But you don’t believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you. I and the Father are one. WEB”
I and the Father Are One
Christ follows this with the assurance that his followers know his voice and receive eternal life. Jesus finishes with these words from John 10:29-30 saying, “My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. WEB”
Jesus’ statement of unification with the Father enraged the crowd. At that moment, they took up stones to kill him. Christ simply reminds them of his good works and asks, “For which of those works do you stone me?”
His challenge stops the men in their tracks. They do not want to accept that Jesus is the Messiah but the evidence for his divinity was clear. In spite of knowing of Jesus’ good works and miracles, the theology of these Old Testament scholars blinded them to the truth.
As John 1:11-12 says, “He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name. WEB”
This fulfilled the word God gave to the prophet Isaiah for the people of Israel which is recorded in Isaiah 6:9, “You hear indeed, but don’t understand. You see indeed, but don’t perceive, WEB” The religious Jews rejection of Jesus gave way to Gentiles becoming the adopted children of God.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for receiving me into your family. Thank you for opening my eyes and ears and forgiving my sins. Give me wisdom and strength to share the truth of your holy word with the world. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Lord of All
