John chapter 10

vs 21

Again, the argument rages on. He might sound a little bit out of the ordinary, but is it possible for a demon to empower acts of healing?

vs 22-23

So it's Hannakuh, and Jesus is walking along where the Christians would hang out in Acts.

vs 24

Reading his words in hindsight, it does seem fairly plain. And yet, people wanted more than that. They wanted absolute confirmation, I guess mostly because Jesus wasn't acting the way many of them expected the Christ to act.

vs 25

Jesus did tell them, several times, and in several different ways by now. He has said he was the good shepherd, that he is the gate, he said he is the bread of life, all of which reflect his authority and position. He's done heaps of miracles, more surely than is necessary to prove who he is, and they still ignore him.

vs 26

He's still explaining the whole sheep thing now. This is one of those times where we are encountering the paradox of Christian faith - you must believe, and it seems in John that the invitation is universal, but God also elects people, and they cannot come to God without that election. John is not afraid of this paradox, and both sides are emphasised in his gospel.

vs 27

People who do know he is the Messiah are already following him - perhaps literally. But even if they are not literally following him around, they are still a follower of his.

vs 28

And with a payoff like that, why wouldn't you follow Jesus? The point is here, though, that Jesus is out and out claiming that he has the authority to give eternal life, and that he actually does so. More than that, they are protected, they are assured this new life.

vs 29

And this assurance and certainty is based in the authority of God the Father. Which is pretty assured.

vs 30

This is the second time he has said this - the first time, he said "I AM", and they tried to stone him.

vs 31

Oop, there go the stones.