John 10:22-30 (2)

I. The Presence of Jesus (v.22-23)

John 10:22–23 NASB95

22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.

A. During a celebration of the Temples dedication- v.22

B. Jesus in the Temple (among the gentiles)- v.23

The significance of John relaying this information in his writing becomes obvious by the way he connects the specific celebration with what Jesus is doing. The Jews were celebrating the restoration of the Temple of God, the place where is was believed that God’s presence would dwell among his people. Yet Jesus is present not with the Jews but in the courtyard of Gentiles which setup the scene where we learn that the Jews have rejected the very presence of God in the Temple.

II. The Performance of Jesus (v. 24-25)

John 10:24–25 NASB95

24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.

A. Works

John 5:36 NASB95

36 “But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.

1. Wedding at Cana of Galilee.

2. Healing a Noble’s Son.

3. Healing at Bethesda- Man ill for 38 years (on sabbath).

4. Give Thousand Fed.

6. Healing a Man born blind.

5. Jesus walks on Water.

B. Words

1. He has alluded to who he is before:

a. John 4:26- The woman at the well.

b. John 5:19ff- Witness of John, Works, Father, and Scripture.

c. John 6:38- “I have come down from Heaven.” Jews grumble.

d. John 7:29- “He sent Me.”

e. John 8:24- “believe that I am He.”

f. John 9:37- reveals himself to the blind man who sees. Jew were there.

2. v.10:9- “I am the door”- The way of Salvation.

3. v.10:11,14- “I am the good shepherd”- Devotes his life to them and they to Him.

The motive for the question that is posed to Jesus is far from genuine inquiry. It is more a leading question to catch him saying something that would justify what they want to do to him- Kill him. This is evident in John’s writing in that Jesus has already revealed plainly who he is by word and works. The Jews are NOT looking for something that will convince them to believe but an opportunity to put a the final nail in Jesus’ coffin.

III. The Preference for Jesus (v.26-27)

John 10:26–27 NASB95

26 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

A. Those who hear.

B. Those who follow.

Jesus does speak plainly to the Jews and tells them that they are not sheep because they do not believe. He contrasts them with those who do believe and hear and follow Him. Jesus distinguishes from those who are and are not his people. It is the stubbornness and that disdain for Jesus that they are not his sheep. It is apparent that there are those who believe in Jesus and follow him and those who seem to refuse to believe, they will not receive eternal life.

IV. The Promises of Jesus (v.28-30)

John 10:28–30 NASB95

28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 “I and the Father are one.”

Those who believe and follow:

A. Eternal Life.

John 17:3 NASB95

3 “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

B. Never perish.

C. Security.

D. Assurance.

Jesus continues with promising those who are His sheep (those who believe, listen, and follow) that they will get to have a real relationship with Jesus, live forever exploring that relationship, and have the confidence that the relationship cannot be broken or taken away. Then to top it all off he offers assurance of all they he is promising because He and the Father are in one accord on this. The Father and the Son have agreed together that this will be given. Jesus does offer a plain answer to the questions posed. That He and His Father are together on who are his sheep and what they will receive if they believe. Jesus is not specifically claiming His identity as being one with the Father. He is rather specifically referencing the unity between Him and the Father on this matter.

Application:

1. Don’t avoid the presence of Jesus that is in your life.

We can be like the Jews and fail to recognize the presence of Jesus in our lives. How easily we can become distracted, fail to see what is right in front of us, identify the wrong person or thing as the means of our celebration. What good is the Temple if they fail to experience the very presence the temple was designed to connect with? You can believe what you want on being apart of the church or how serious you take Sunday worship but one thing you cannot say is that God’s presence isn’t with His people. And since his presence is here, if you are his sheep, it is reasonable conclude that the sheep will be found with the shepherd.

2. Don’t ignore the Performance of Jesus in your life.

We can be just as stubborn as the Jews. We ignore the many works of grace that Jesus performs in our lives. When in reality your home, your kids, your spouse, your job, your bank account, your heartbeat, all that you have is literally a work of Jesus in your life. Jesus is constantly revealing himself to us. Mother’s you are often used by Jesus to reveal himself to your children when you act in grace towards them.

3. Do you stand on the promises of Jesus?

If you were to assess your own relationship with Jesus based on his own definition in this passage where do you stand? Would you stand closer to those who are stubborn, blind, and deaf to Jesus or would you stand on His promises that he gives to His sheep? Do you believe, do you listen, do you follow?

4. The Post-Credit Scene.

There is a final application I believe that lies after this passage but it directly connected to it. As we have discussed, Jesus is walking in the portico of Solomon. He is essentially asked to confirm if He is the Messiah. We have also discussed how there have been many situations where John the Baptist as testified about Jesus being the messiah, The Father Testifies about Jesus being the Messiah, The many miracles/works Jesus performed testifies that He is the Messiah, and the Scriptures testify about Jesus being the Messiah. Yet there is one more that Testifies that Jesus is the Messiah- His Sheep!

Acts 3:11- Peter and John were in the portico of Solomon preaching Jesus Christ and performing miracles and many believed.

Acts 5:11- The Church came together in one accord in Jesus Name at the portico of Solomon.

I believe Jesus doesn’t tell people plainly who because he wants us to do it. To tell others plainly about Jesus.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He has spoken to his sheep. Will you believe? Will you listen? Will you follow what He is asking you to do and find yourself in the pasture of his promises? Let’s pray.