The Jesus You Can Trust – John’s Gospel chapter 10, verses 31-42
The Jesus you can trust.
He is the good Shepherd, who gave himself for us, Who can and will keep His promise to keep us safe forever.
Why should we trust in Him?
A violent response to Jesus’ words.
31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?’ 33 ‘We are not stoning you for any good work,’ they replied, ‘but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.’
John 10:31-33
Jesus defends his words…
with Scripture
34 Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your Law, “I have said you are ‘gods’”? 35 If he called them “gods”, to whom the word of God came – and Scripture cannot be set aside – 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, “I am God’s Son”?
John 10:34-36
The argument from lesser to greater, as in God’s care for the birds. Here Psalm 82:6 “You are gods, all sons of the most high” Here to corrupt judges, the much lesser, to the greater, “I am the Son of God”. And the scripture cannot be broken. Even one single word is true. Jesus trusted the scripture. Where do our minds turn to when distress comes?
with his works
37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.’
John 10:37-38
All vivid displays of the power and glory of God, proving that he was in the Father and the Father in him. He wants then to believe in Him and be saved. The Father and the Son are distinct, but equally God. Our Salvation depends on His divinity. No one else can forgive sin, give eternal life and eternal protection. The best days are ahead – “I will see the King in His Glory”.
with his sovereignty over death
39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
John 10:39
They had no power till the time appointed. We have no power or knowledge of our dying day, but He did, and we are safe in Him.
A different response to Jesus
40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptising in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, ‘Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.’ 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.
John 10:40-42
Across Jordan many did believe in Him. His words are the Word of God. He is the Word of God.
New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
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