The Gospel of John: John 10.19-33

Read and meditate on John 10.22-24.
How many ways did Jesus have to say that He is the Christ? He had been plain enough in all His claims. It’s not that these people didn’t hear Him, it’s that they refused to believe what they heard.

                                         ²²Later on,
in winter in Jerusalem, and on
the Feast of Dedication, ²³Jesus walked
in Solomon’s porch, and as He walked, He talked
with ²⁴many people who surrounded Him
and asked Him, “Will You keep us ever in
suspense and doubt? If You are Christ, say so,
and tell us plainly.”

- John 10.22-24

Reflect
1.  The Feast of Dedication is held in December, and it commemorates the purging and renewing of the temple after foreigners had been driven out of Jerusalem. John’s is the only mention of this feast in the gospels. Do you suppose he saw some significance in this feast, and in Jesus being in the temple at this time? Did he want us to make some connection between Jesus and this feast? Explain.Complete this prayer: Lord, I am a temple of Your Spirit. Renew me today in…

2.  Jesus had previously made a connection between the temple and Himself (Jn. 2). Coming to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication was not required, as with the Passover, for instance. But Jesus was there anyway. Was He inviting a connection by coming to this feast and walking around in the temple? Does this say something about the importance of symbolic acts in Jesus’ mind? What symbolic acts do Christians practice in our day? Does Jesus regard these as important? Explain. Thank You, Lord, that You have given us the symbols of baptism and the Supper. Help me to make the best use of these by…

3.  The people following Jesus around insisted that He was keeping them in doubt about His identity (v. 24)? Was that so? Was Jesus being sufficiently clear and plain about Who He is? If so, why were these people still “in doubt”? I know, Lord, that You are the Christ, and You have called me to…

4.  That they said, “If You are the Christ…” suggests they understood Jesus quite well. In fact, there is nothing suggesting mere possibility in their question. In the Greek, the question is posed, not in the subjunctive mood (“if You might be the Christ”) but in the indicative mood (“since You are the Christ”). What’s the difference? Were these people merely baiting Jesus? What were they seeking? Lord, some people will acknowledge Your claims and understand clearly Who You are, but that doesn’t mean they will believe. My responsibility is…

5.  For some people, Jesus’ claims will never be convincing, though it is important that we make those claims clear. It’s not our job to convince or persuade people that Jesus is the Christ. It’s our job to follow and proclaim Him as such. But then, how do people ever come to believe in Jesus like we do? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.

Summary
“‘It was winter,’ and they were chilled because they were slow to approach that divine fire. For to approach is to believe: the one who believes, approaches; the one who denies, moves away. The soul is not moved by the feet but by the affections. They had become icy cold to the sweetness of loving him, and they burned with the desire of doing him an injury. They were far away, while there beside him.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

Is there a sense in which our lives should be symbols of the redeeming, saving, and transforming work of Jesus Christ? Explain.

Closing Prayer
I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD.

Psalm 40.1-3

Psalm 40.1-5 (Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth)
I waited patiently for God; He inclined and heard my cry,
Lifted me up above the sod, set me on a Rock on high!
New songs in my mouth He gave; may He through me many save!

Blessed are all who trust in You, turning both from lies and pride.
Countless wonders, Lord, You do, and Your thoughts with us abide.
Lord, Your worth who can declare? None with You can e’er compare.

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.