The Man Born Blind - John 9:1-12

The privileged sheep - John 10:22-42
Jonathan Stephen - Carey Baptist Church - 27 November 2005

The Feast of Dedication (Hannukah) was of recent origin. It commemorated the liberation of the temple by Judas Maccabeus, three years after its desecration in 167 BC by the Syrian invader, Antiochus Epiphanes. The Feast lasted for eight days, beginning on 25th of the lunar month Kislev, which corresponds roughly with our December.

In this final public appearance of Jesus in Jerusalem, prior to his later triumphal entry, Jesus gives the Jews one last opportunity to consider his claims to be both the Messiah and the Son of God - and, therefore, the One who provides his followers with total security.

Jesus, the Messiah

Read verse 24. Jesus was always slightly veiled when revealing his messianic claims to the unbelieving Jews. Their understanding of the term was so corrupted by political considerations - and they had already decided that Jesus did not fit the bill. How careful we must be that our own preconceptions do not cause the truth to be hidden from us. Perceiving Christianity in political tones is a major obstacle which causes many in the world today to be hostile to the Faith. Often the fault has lain with those who have claimed to be Christian. (For example, what an obstacle the history of the Crusades - and maybe far more recent historical events - have proved in bringing the gospel to Muslims.)

In this case, however, the Jews should have seen that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of their own Scriptures, verses 25-26. (See, for example, Isaiah 35:3-6.)

Jesus, the Son of God

Everyone knew that Jesus was claiming to be the Son of God (verses 31-33). In verses 34-36, Jesus shows that, as all Israel were called 'gods' in Psalm 82, they had no scriptural grounds for objecting to his adopting the title. Jesus' aim appears to be to expose the superficial and contradictory nature of their understanding. This merely delays the inevitable reaction (verses 37-39). Again we see that Jesus will always slip through the fingers of those who approach him in aggressive unbelief. The only way to seize hold of him is to come trusting him to be the One he claims to be. When we seize him in this way, we discover that his grip on us is infinitely more powerful still:

The Security of the Sheep

Verses 27-30 provide perhaps the most powerful affirmation in the whole of the Bible of the believer's ultimate safety. How many timid, troubled and doubting saints have found comfort here! All who truly trust Christ will follow the Good Shepherd, and no power in the universe will be able to separate them from him. Read Romans 8:29-39. Eternal life means 'forever' by definition. If it is a gift of grace, so it can never be forfeited because we do not deserve it! To deny this is to call Christ a liar. It is not just that the Son of God has given eternal life to us, the Father has given us to the Son. How concerned is Jesus to comfort his sheep with a plethora of reassurances!

Knowing that we possess this life of peace, joy and love, we have every right to enjoy it! Experiencing eternal life begins with believing that we have it...

Verse 30 reveals the Father and the Son to be identical in essence, distinct in Person and thoroughly at one in will and purpose. Let us make sure we are not fighting God, but instead submit willingly to the only One who can save us eternally. Let us see in Jesus what we have heard about him from faithful preachers - and put our trust in him as a result (verse 40-42).