The Gospel of John: John 10.19-33

Read and meditate on John 10.31, 32.
Why were these people so determined not to believe? Are we any different?

                      ³¹Then they took up stones
to kill Him. ³²Jesus answered, “I have shown
you many good works from My Father. For
which one of these do you stone Me?”

- John 10.31, 32

Reflect
1.  These people had seen Jesus’ miraculous and gracious works. Yet the moment He tried to explain them by making Himself equal to God, they were ready to stone Him. Why? Complete the following prayer: Lord, help me to understand why people are reluctant to believe, so that in my witness for You I can…

2.  It didn’t matter that Jesus had done “many good works.” He was a threat to their status quo, and especially to the privileged and comfortable position of the leaders (cf. Jn. 11.45-48). Does Jesus ever threaten your status quo, or your comfort and convenience? Explain. Lord, it’s all too easy to rationalize away my unbelief and disobedience. Help me to…

3.  Why couldn’t these people simply have said, “Well, that’s just your opinion?” Why was it so important that they “kill Him”? What’s the emotional difference between these two responses? Should we expect either or both as we bear witness to Christ (cf. Acts 17.32-34)? Explain. Give me boldness, Lord, to be Your witness, even when…

4.  Jesus is standing in front of people who have stones in their hands, are glaring menacingly at Him, and doubtless shouting, shrieking, throwing dust in the air and other sorts of displays. Does He flinch? Back down? No, He challenges them to think about what they’re doing and why! How does this counsel us as witnesses for Jesus? Lord, help me to keep my cool as I bear witness, and to help others…

5.  Jesus seems to be making more enemies than followers. At least, His enemies are more verbal, confrontational, threatening, and determined, while His followers seem to be interested only in whatever He might be able to do for them next. Does this have any parallel in our day? Explain. Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“When he says, ‘I and my Father are one’ in essence [unum], he shows that there are two, whom he puts on an equality and unites in one. He therefore adds to this very statement, that he had ‘shown them many good works from the Father,’ for none of which did he deserve to be stoned.” Tertullian (155-250 AD)

People haven’t changed much since Jesus’ day. He provokes a variety of responses, and we can expect to encounter them all as we are faithful in our witness for the Lord. How can believers help and encourage one another in their witness?

Closing Prayer
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endurest o all generations.

Psalm 100

Psalm 100 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
Shout to the Lord with joy, O earth!
With gladness serve His matchless worth!
Before Him sing with joyful words,
And know that God alone is Lord!

He made us all, and not our hands –
His people, we before Him stand.
A faithful Shepherd, He will keep
And for us as His own sheep.

Enter His gates with thanks and praise;
Extol His Name through all your days!
Give thanks to Him, and bless His Name!
His praise forevermore proclaim!

God is the Lord, so good and kind;
His love we evermore may find.
His faithfulness is ever sure;
To every age it shall endure!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.