The Gospel of John Lesson 36 (6-02-2013) John 10:22-33

The Gospel of John Lesson 36 (6-02-2013)

Lesson 36 – John 10:22-33

We pick up our study some time after Jesus’ teaching concerning the Great Shepherd and the sheep still in Jerusalem some time later. It is not always exactly clear as to exact timing of these events, but we do have an approximate idea of the time because John does give us some markers as to when these events occurred. He tells us here in chapter 10 v. 22 that the events that He is about to share with us happened during one of the Jewish religious celebration, the Festival of Lights, that would have occurred typically in the winter month of December. Things are moving pretty quick now. We remember that we saw Jesus in chapter 7 teaching and debating in the Temple during the feast of the tabernacles which would have occurred in October. Many Bible commentators believe that the majority of the book of John was written concerning the events of the last 6 months or so of His life or prior to His crucifixion.

We see Him here in John 10:22-3 hanging around the Temple, and around the vicinity of Jerusalem as was Him pattern and custom at this time being essential in harm’s way. It was dangerous for Him to be here. Tensions continued to rise between Jesus and the religious leaders as Jesus continued to publically proclaim the truth and teach the people about the Kingdom of God. We already saw at the end of chapter 8 that these religious leaders who claimed to follow the teachings of Moses picked up stones to hurl at Him intending to do Him bodily harm. Thankfully, they were unsuccessful in carrying out their intentions at this time. They will attempt to do it again. This did not stop Jesus from proclaiming the Truth that the Father had given Him to proclaim.

We find Him here in Solomon’s Porch, which was a public place in the Temple area where people would often meet and congregate often to discuss spiritual concepts and principles and to learn about God. This was a place that the religious leaders used often to teach the people their doctrine and message that was often contrary or opposed to the message that Jesus brought to them. It is easy to understand that this would be a dangerous place for Jesus to be especially with the opposing message that He was sent to proclaim.

We see the Jews in v. 24 confront Jesus concerning His message and claims. At first glance it may appear that this encounter was a friendly discussion or debate, but it was not that way at all. We see here in v. 24 that the Jews begin this discussion by surrounding Jesus in actuality attempting to intimidate Him. They had already made up their mind. They did not like Jesus and at this point in their relationship they had every intention of doing away with Him.

The question that they ask Him initially at first glance may appear inquisitive, but it was not that. The question that they begin with was a leading question meant to trap Jesus and Jesus knew it. Their desire was to get Him to say something worthy of taking action to justify their doing away with Him. We see them here choose a topic that would be worthy of such retribution.

They ask Him if He was the Christ, essentially asking Him if He was claiming to be God. They knew that His reply to this question would define Him, or in actuality mark Him for in answering this question they would have what they wanted to take further action. Their request at the end of v. 24 was to state His answer plainly. They wanted Him to keep it simple and to the point, the people were watching, their reputation and standing with the people was at stake.

They had seen Jesus in action before. Jesus’ replies although usually easily understood as to its meaning were often delivered in such a way that His enemies did not have much that could be used against Him. He was, from their point of view, cunning and had a way of conveying His perspective and message without incriminating Himself according to their laws and rules. All too often, in actuality, Jesus’ replies often ended up making them look bad, especially to the people. However, from their point of view, in their eyes, He was guilty and to them worthy of the ultimate punishment.

Jesus responds to them beginning in v. 25. It is interesting that even yet, with all the confrontation and antagonism that He has received from the Pharisees that He continues to respond to them in a compassionate spirit as He continues to proclaim the Truth to them. He first reminds them that what He is about to share with them is nothing new. They had rejected His message before. But, in restating these truths to them He again leaves the door open for them, if they will choose to come, telling them that they should start fresh and rethink their perspective and take a fresh look at the facts concerning His message and proclamation.  

He begins by telling them to judge His message by His life asking them to closely examine His works as proof. This is not the first time that He tells them this. We saw in chapter 5 that this was one of the four witnesses that He had share with them that they should consider when deciding whether to accept or reject His message concerning His claims. His lifestyle and works bore witness of the Father God. In v. 32 He will make a point of this and ask them plainly to critique His life and see if they can point out a true infraction of the Law of God. At this point the only thing that they had to go on was His claim to be one with the Father which prior to this point had not been clear enough to them to take action on.

But, in these verses He will willingly hand over to them what they are looking for appearing to willingly give them what they will need to take the action that they desire, v. 31. In doing so, however, He also pronounces judgment on them. He tells them that the reason that they do not believe is because they are not of His fold, they are not His sheep. In the next few verses he restates some of the principles to them that He shared in the beginning of this chapter. However, in doing so, He also adds some deeper spiritual truths and promises concerning God’s Kingdom and our relationship with him.

He restates again in v. 27 that only those who are His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. But, He goes deeper in vs. 28-9 by telling them that His relationship between Him and His sheep is permanent and completely secure. He tells them in v. 28 that He is the One that is responsible for keeping His sheep and making their relationship with Him secure. He uses the phrase ‘eternal life’ indicating that these principles stated here are eternal which include our security and our relationship with Him. His statement in v. 28 is emphatic, stating it using His authority to back it up. This is a bold statement. One that cannot be denied as authoritative and in stating to them that ‘none can take them out of His hand’ He states and assumes the position of God.

But, if they had any doubt as to His meaning in v. 28 He finishes the picture in the next couple of verses telling them plainly Who He is connected to and Who He is claiming to be. In v. 29 He makes a clear and direct connection to God Jehovah using the term Father that is indicative of a relationship that is as close as it comes. Now in this verse He ties His authority and power to keep His sheep to the Father making them one in the same again assuming the position of God. If there is any remaining doubt as to His claim He finishes in v. 30 making it crystal clear who He is claiming to be.

Now they get it, and they have what they need to take the action that they have intended and desired to take all along. It says that they pick up stones to stone Him. But, before any of them begin to hurl their stone He stops them by continuing the debate and asking them why they would do such a thing asking them to state specifically which of His actions warranted such a response.

He makes the claim that the tasks that He performed were done at the request of His Father and that He was only obeying His directive. He asks them to critique His work, in actuality asking them to critique His work on two levels. First on the basis of whether the works that He performed were from the Father or not, and second on the basis of whether they could find fault on how they were performed and what He did. They could find no fault on either account and tell Him so in v. 33 and could not proceed with their intended action because of His works or actions. We can briefly fast forward and remember when Pilate examined Jesus that he could find no fault in Him either.

But, they had what they thought was enough to proceed with their actions, he had claimed to be God and they did not agree with His assertion. For anyone else it truly would have been blasphemy. This is what the first part of John chapter ten was all about. Even Jesus had stated such. But, this was different. This was Jesus. He had a right to make such claims. His works by them self were proof enough that the claims that He made were true. For Him to claim otherwise would have been a lie.