John 10:25-27 -- Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
Thank You Lord, for everything and in everything this day. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
We saw yesterday the devious trap the religious authorities ambushed Jesus with. The verses today continue His response. They'd asked Him to plainly tell them, and He does, just not on the topic they'd hoped for.
Jesus plainly tells them "you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep.". In all their planning to trap Him I imagine this was not the response they anticipated. Before now they had just directly come against Him with probing questions anyone could see were meant to try and get Him to say the wrong thing. Their tactic in 10:24-25 was far craftier. They deceitfully acted as if they were excited that He could be the Christ, to try and draw out what they needed to execute Him.
Jesus doesn't say they "couldn't" believe, but instead reveals the fact they had chosen and continued to choose not to believe. They continued to willfully ignore all that testified to Him being the Christ, the Son of God.
Back in September we went through John chapter five, and it was there Jesus gave five witnesses to who He was.
1. Jesus' own testimony
2. John the Baptist
3. God the Father
4. Jesus' actions, miracles, signs, and wonders
5. The Scriptures
Jesus went through a deep and detailed confrontation with the religious authorities already and they continually chose to ignore all of it. In doing so Jesus tells them today, "you are not My sheep". They do not recognize His voice. They do not listen. They do not follow. Instead, they work to deceive, trap, and kill, which Jesus has told them before is in line with the will of the devil.
It's taken a lot of effort on the religious authorities' part to ignore so many things. It's quite heartbreaking because these were the very people who had devoted their entire lives to the study and teaching of God's Word. Sadly, this became a job for them. They were hired hands. They were quite passionate about the words but had no passion for the One True Living God or His Son, Jesus.
Christian, do you have a passion inside about Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and the Word? Do you desire to walk with Him every day, to be in His presence, to read His Word, to talk with Him in prayer? Do you let the light shine, at church, at home, with people, while alone for Jesus? OR is it just another hat that gets put on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and every other post on social media?
Please hear me clearly, I am not talking about works, passions, or desires saving anyone, we know that's not biblical or true. Just examine what are the passions, desires, and good works that are growing from your relationship with the Good Shepherd? I heard it said, "Good works do not bring salvation, but salvation will bring good works."
Just something to think about this Friday morning.
Don't take my word on anything, instead let this drive you into the Bible. Read it yourself. See what God has for you directly!
You are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
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