Feast of Dedication
17 February 2013 PM – John 10:22-42 – Scott Childs
Introduction: The opening verse of this section tells us that Jesus was at Jerusalem, at the Feast of Dedication, and it was winter. Shepard tells explains that, “It was a joyous festival in commemoration of the restoration of the altar and purification of the Temple by Judas Maccabeus [in 164 BC], six and a half years after its defilement by Antiochus Epiphanes.” Fausset tells us that Antiochus Epiphanes cruelly murdered many in Jerusalem, stole valuables from the temple, and defiled the temple by offering a pig on the altar and pouring pig broth throughout the temple. The eight-day feast of Dedication, is now called Chanukah (or Hanukkah), the feast of Lights. Constable’s Notes
Now in the cold of winter, Jesus walked in Solomon’s porch. This porch supported by many tall columns attached to the eastern side of the temple.
Transition: Let us go stand with Jesus on the cold porch and see what we can learn from him.
I. The Jewish Leaders Taunt Jesus John 10:24-30
A. Irritated, they ask Jesus to speak plainly to them.
1. They wanted him to say plainly, “I am the Messiah”. If he did so, they could then condemn him.
2. The phrase “make us doubt” means, “hold us in suspense.” 1611 Footnotes
3. These leaders were not interested in following Christ as the Messiah. They hated him.
B. Jesus said he had already told them plainly.
1. Jesus had told them in many roundabout ways, but they did not believe him.
2. The wonderful works of Jesus testify that he is the Christ, but they did not believe them either.
3. All who refuse to believe are not the “sheep” of Jesus. Here Jesus assures true believers that they are eternally secure. They will go to heaven.
a) Jesus gives believers eternal life.
b) They will never perish.
c) No man can take them from his hand.
d) God gave believers to Christ.
e) No man can take them from God’s hand.
f) Jesus and the Father are one.
Once a person has eternal life in Christ, he is forever secure. He cannot lose that life. The issue is not “Can we lose salvation?” Rather it is “Do I have salvation?” Sadly, there are multitudes, deceived by religion, who think they are saved, but who are still lost because they have never dealt with their sin God’s way.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
II. The Jewish Leaders Threaten Jesus John 10:31-39
A. The Jews again took up stones to kill Jesus
1. Back in John 8:59, they tried to stone Jesus for claiming to be the “I AM”.
2. Now again they pick up stones ready to try again.
B. Jesus challenged them and walked away unharmed
1. Jesus asked them for what good work they were going to stone him.
2. They argued that it was not for a good work but for blasphemy because he claimed to be God (v. 33).
3. Jesus quotes Ps 82:6 where God called his human representatives “gods”. Jesus reasoned that if he were simply a human representative of God, he could be considered a “god” in that sense, so why were they about to kill him for calling himself the Son of God?
Psalm 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
4. Jesus challenged them to believe that he is the Messiah and God if he truly did the works of his Father.
a) Because they did not believe, Jesus said they were not his sheep.
b) Now he commands them to believe (v.38). I am persuaded that Jesus loved them and wanted them to be saved even though they hated him.
c) A person who denies the deity of Christ cannot be saved.
5. They desired to take hold of him, but he escaped out of their hand. He literally walked out from among them. God’s time is always perfect when we walk in his will.
John 7:30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
John 7:44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
John 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
If we are truly walking in the will of God, we can be sure that we will not die until it is his perfect time.
III. The Country People Throng Jesus John 10:40-42
A. Jesus now crossed Jordan
1. Jesus, leaving Jerusalem descended deep into the Jordan valley, crossed the river into the province of Perea.
2. John the Baptist baptised in Jordan near Bethabara.
John 1:28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
a) The fact that John baptised people in the Jordan supports the biblical meaning of the word baptizo – to dip, to immerse, to submerge.
b) Not only does the word mean to dip but also the Biblical use of the word supports its meaning.
Mark 1:5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
Mark 1:9-10 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Acts 8:38-39 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
3. Jesus abode there near Jordan.
Constable notes, John presented Jesus’ departure from Jerusalem as the result of official rejection of Him. The event had symbolic significance that the evangelist probably intended. Jesus withdrew the opportunity for salvation from the people there because they refused to accept His gracious offer of salvation.
God offers salvation to everyone, but he does not force his salvation on anyone.
B. Many who had heard John preach, believed on Jesus
1. Many people resorted or came to Jesus. They thronged to hear Jesus preach. It sounds like they saw him do miracles. They confirmed that John the Baptist’s words about Jesus were true.
a) John said that Jesus was the Light.
John 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
b) John said that Jesus was the Lamb of God.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
2. Many thus believed on Jesus.
Conclusion: Once again, we learn that believing is the key to salvation. However, it is not just a head knowledge belief. It is believing who Jesus really is – God the Son, the Messiah, who came to earth to pay for man’s eternal judgment because of his sin (Jn 8:24, 11:42, 20:31). It is believing that he rose from the dead (Jn 20:29). It is believing that without him our sin will condemn us to hell (Jn 3:18, 3:36, 5:24). It is believing ON him, or trusting him to apply his payment to our account and make us his sons (Jn 1:12). It is believing that he alone can satisfy (Jn 6:36). It is believing that he alone can give a repentant sinner everlasting life (Jn 3:16, 6:40, 47, 11:25). Are you positive you have truly believed? The Scriptures say, 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Song: Only Trust Him – 252