J.C. Ryle expounds on John 10:31-42 to reveal Jesus' divine identity and the unbelief of the Jewish authorities despite His miraculous works.
In this expository sermon on John 10:31-42, J.C. Ryle explores the confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish authorities who accuse Him of blasphemy. Ryle highlights Jesus' defense of His divine identity through Scripture and miraculous works, while also addressing the persistent unbelief of the Jewish leaders. This message challenges listeners to recognize the evidence of Christ's deity and examine their own response to His claims.
Text
The Jewish authorities picked up rocks again to stone him to death. Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many good deeds from the Father. For which one of them are you going to stone me?" The Jewish authorities replied, "We are not going to stone you for a good deed but for blasphemy, because you, a man, are claiming to be God."
Jesus answered, "Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those people to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’ (and the scripture cannot be broken), do you say about the one whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform the deeds of my Father, do not believe me. But if I do them, even if you do not believe me, believe the deeds, so that you may come to know and understand that I am in the Father and the Father is in me." Then they attempted again to seize him, but he escaped their clutches.
Jesus went back across the Jordan River again to the place where John had been baptizing at an earlier time, and he stayed there. Many came to him and began to say, "John performed no miraculous sign, but everything John said about this man was true!" And many believed in Jesus there.
We should observe, in these verses, the extreme wickedness of human nature. The unbelieving Jews at Jerusalem was neither moved by our Lord\
Sermon Outline
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I. The Accusation of Blasphemy
- Jewish authorities seek to stone Jesus
- Charge based on His claim to be God
- Jesus' defense referencing Scripture
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II. Jesus' Divine Identity
- Reference to Psalm 82:6 on 'gods'
- Jesus as the Son of God sent by the Father
- Miraculous deeds as proof of His unity with the Father
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III. The Response of the People
- Jesus escapes arrest
- Return to the Jordan where John baptized
- Many believe despite lack of signs from John
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IV. The Wickedness of Unbelief
- Unbelieving Jews remain unmoved
- Rejection despite clear evidence
- Warning about hardened hearts
Key Quotes
“If those people to whom the word of God came were called 'gods' (and the scripture cannot be broken), do you say about the one whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?” — J.C. Ryle
“If I do not perform the deeds of my Father, do not believe me. But if I do them, even if you do not believe me, believe the deeds, so that you may come to know and understand that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” — J.C. Ryle
“We should observe, in these verses, the extreme wickedness of human nature.” — J.C. Ryle
Application Points
- Trust in the miraculous works of Jesus as confirmation of His divine authority.
- Examine your heart for unbelief and hardness in response to Christ's claims.
- Stand firm in faith even when others reject or oppose the truth of Jesus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Jewish authorities want to stone Jesus?
They accused Him of blasphemy because He claimed to be God, which they considered a violation of their law.
How does Jesus defend His claim to divinity?
He cites Scripture and points to His miraculous works as evidence that He is sent by the Father and shares in divine authority.
What role do miracles play in this passage?
Miracles serve as tangible proof of Jesus' divine mission and identity, urging people to believe in Him.
What is the significance of the reference to 'you are gods'?
Jesus uses this Old Testament passage to challenge the accusation of blasphemy by showing that Scripture calls certain humans 'gods,' so His claim is consistent with divine appointment.
How does unbelief manifest among the Jewish leaders?
Despite witnessing Jesus' works and hearing His words, they reject Him out of hardness of heart and spiritual blindness.
