February 23, 2023 – Thursday
John 10:37-38 NIV
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.
Comments
Jesus has been accused on blasphemy once again and His accusers were prepared to stone Him to death as we read in v31-32, 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?” They did not like His answer and replied in v33, 33 We are not stoning you for any good work, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.
That was when Jesus quoted Psalm 82:6, I have said you are “gods” and He then explained this was for those to whom the word of God came followed by two questions in v36, 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’? It was then that Jesus closed His argument in my imagination as if a great lawyer (the greatest!) with our verses for today, 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.
Go ahead and don’t believe me! But then you are denying my miracles were the works of my Father, God. However, when I do them,even though you do not believe me, believe the works! Okay, I broke up the verse here and added the exclamation mark as He seems to be demanding they examine the evidence of the works in front of them, works they know happened, works that they cannot explain. Look at the evidence He seems to be demanding, the evidence that cannot be denied, so believe the works! Then He adds the closing argument as to why they need to believe the works. Because once they do that, then and only then, you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.
Sadly, they did not consider what He had said about His works being from the Father and what that would mean about His relationship with the Father. Instead, 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. Scripture does not say how He escaped their grasp, but I imagine He walked right through those ringed about Him and they were unable to actually grasp or touch Him.
What happened next is unexpected sweetness, 40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing 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. They knew of His signs and miracles and they knew as well what John the Baptist had said about Him. Thus, many believed in Jesus. What a difference between these people and the Pharisees at the temple.
Bottom Line: Let what you know of and about Jesus lead you to believe. Scripture is provided by God so that we may see Him as He is when He is revealed to us in His word.
Prayer: Almighty God, Your incredible patience and mercy are seen throughout Your word and especially in Your Son. Thank You for giving us all of our lives to turn to You through Your Son. You even did this for the thief on the cross. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek