Read and meditate on John 10.19-21.
You cannot simply dismiss Jesus. He really lived. He really did the things recorded. He really made the claims attributed to Him. So what shall we make of Him? Liar? Lunatic? Lord?

¹⁹And those who heard Him say these things became
divided. ²⁰Many said, “He is insane,
or has a demon. Why pay any heed
to what He says?” ²¹Yet others said, “Indeed,
these words are not the words of someone who
is demon filled. Are demons able to
bring healing to a blind man?”

- John 10.19-21

Reflect
1.  It is impossible to deny the historicity of Jesus. He lived, taught, did good works, and made extraordinary claims about Himself. Thousands of manuscripts and other evidence (extra-Biblical writings, archaeological findings, cultural artifacts) testify to the fact of Jesus’ existence. How do your unbelieving friends explain Jesus? Since they cannot deny that He lived, what do they say about Him? Ask a few of them. Just ask, don’t argue. See what you can learn. Complete this prayer: Lord, it is important that unbelievers be clear about Who You are, so…

2.  Nor can there be any mistaking the claims that Jesus made. There is more supporting manuscript evidence for Jesus’ words and claims than for any other episode, person, or event in ancient history. Summarize the claims Jesus made for Himself, as we have seen them thus far in the Gospel of John. Pray those claims back to Jesus: Lord Jesus, You are…

3.  As in Jesus’ day, those who hear His claims must deal with them. This will often result in people being divided, some saying one thing, some another: “He was mistaken.” “He was a deceiver.” “He was insane.” What do your unbelieving friends make of Jesus’ claims? How do they account for them? Ask some of them, again, just to find out what they think. Lord, give me courage and grace to broach this subject with the unbelievers in my Personal Mission Field. Today, let me…

4.  The only reason people today can deny the works of Jesus is that we live in a day in which things spiritual and supernatural are largely pooh-poohed. Again, the manuscript evidence, and other supporting historical data, are overwhelming in reporting the works of Jesus as we have them in the Bible. How do your unbelieving friends account for His works? And for what His works suggest about His claims? Ask a few of them. You’re just asking questions, seeking to understand their views. Don’t argue or try to correct them. Just see what you can find out. I want to understand my lost friends and neighbors, Lord, and I cannot do that without…

5.  Jesus’ witness to Himself and His works provoked division in His day. Jesus is a divisive subject in every age, and ours is no exception. But just because people don’t see Jesus the way we do, or understand what He claimed, or agree with the Bible about His works, does this mean we should avoid talking with them about Jesus? Explain. What are some ways you might begin a conversation about Jesus? Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“Because he spoke as one greater than human beings, they said he had a devil.… They had said this many times. ‘Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?”’ Since they could not silence their opponents by words, they now brought proof from his works. ‘Certainly neither are the words those of one that has a devil, and yet if you are not persuaded by the words, be persuaded by the works.’ … Our Lord, having already given proof of who he was by his works, holds his peace because they were unworthy of an answer.… Indeed, as they disagreed among themselves, an answer was unnecessary. Their opposition only brought out, for our imitation, our Lord’s gentleness and long suffering.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

The facts of Jesus’ existence, works, teachings, and claims provide us with much to talk about with our unbelieving friends. Why is it important that we try to learn what they think about these facts?

Closing Prayer
The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity;
There is none who does good.
God looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
Every one of them has turned aside;
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good,
No, not one.
Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge,
Who eat up my people as they eat bread,
And do not call upon God?
There they are in great fear
Where no fear was,
For God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you;
You have put them to shame,
Because God has despised them.
Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When God brings back the captivity of His people,
Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

Psalm 53

Psalm 53 (Leoni: The God of Abraham Praise)
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God at all!”

Corrupt are they in whole and part, unjust and small.
Not one of them does good; God sees their wicked ways.
None understands the Word of God, or gives Him praise.

Have all these wicked men no knowledge of God’s grace?
The Church they hate with passion and seek not God’s face.
Lord, strike their hearts with fear, where fear was not before.
And scatter all who camp so near Your holy door.

The wicked flee in shame; their ways our God rejects.
Renew Your people in Your Name with great effects.
Let great rejoicing sound once we renewed have been,
And let salvation’s Word resound from us again!

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.