Jesus Is Rejected
JESUS IS REJECTED
JOHN 10:31-42
Jesus’ miracles support his claim to have a unique relationship to God.
This last assertion of Jesus is such that for the second time the desire of the Jews to kill him actually got as far as their picking up stones to throw at him (cf. 8:59; 11:8). Jesus again reminds them of the evidence of his deeds. For which of them does he deserve to be stoned? For none of them, they tell him, but for blasphemy. The charge of blasphemy is put in its most succinct form—“You, being a man, make yourself God.” Here is one of the great ironies of the gospel. The one who was “God” (1:1) had become man (1:14) in an amazing act of loving condescension. Such is their failure in perspective through their moral blindness that they see everything the wrong way round.
Jesus answers their objections with a piece of rabbinic argument. If they look at the Scriptures they will see that the name “gods” could be applied to the judges of Israel because they were exercising a divinely appointed function. They accept the authority of the Scriptures which allow such a title. Why then object to the application of the title “Son of God” to one sent by the Father? The proof of it all is again his deeds. Their attitude to his words was of less importance than what they made of the evidence before their eyes. Again argument gives way to an abortive attempt at arrest (cf. 7:30,44; 8:20).
Jesus then retired briefly before the final conflict. Many people came to see him there and on meeting him confirmed that John, though no miracle-worker, had achieved his purpose in giving faithful evidence about Jesus. So they believed in him (cf. 1:6-8). “Where the preaching of repentance has had success, there the preaching of reconciliation and gospel grace is most likely to be prosperous. Where John has been acceptable, Jesus will not be unacceptable” (M. Henry).
Notes 10:34: this would be a most unusual argument for any Christian to invent, because it does not distinguish Christ from other men clearly enough. He argues with them on their own terms. 10:36: “consecrated”; he in his own person fulfills the Feast of Dedication. This consecration will reach its climax in his death (17:19). 10:42: their faith must still be imperfect as he has not yet fully revealed himself through his death and resurrection.
Meditation John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true (10:41). The secret of spiritual success is not in the spectacular but in a consistent witness to Jesus Christ. Have we the humility to accept this rôle for ourselves?