CLAIM TO BE GOD

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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In today’s devotional, we encounter the response of those who asked Jesus to speak plainly to his true nature and purpose as the Messiah. Jesus did not allow those asking the questions to lead him into any sort of trap around the question of his identity. Instead, as we will hear again below, Jesus made it clear that his true nature was well and truly beyond the understanding of those asking. 

27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

31 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 33 “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

(John 10:27-33 NIV11)

Who

In verses 27-29 we hear about those people who by faith receive Jesus Christ as he is, their Lord and Savior. These people are those who listen to the call of God on their lives. They respond to the conviction and invitation of the Holy Spirit. They receive the truth of God with glad and sincere hearts. They are forever held in the loving hands of Almighty God. 

Verse 30

In verse 30, we heard the summary of Jesus’ teaching on his true nature and identity. He made his point plainly and clearly. Jesus is one in substance with the Heavenly Father while also being the unique Son of God. 

This reply to the question of whether or not he was the promised Messiah goes far beyond the imaginations of the opponents of Jesus in relation to what it means to be the Christ. They were looking for someone who could change their earthly fortunes while Jesus came to show them to the Father by being the full representation of God in bodily form.  

Picked up Stones

Those who heard Jesus’ reply demonstrated that they clearly understood what Jesus was saying about his unity with God the Father and God the Spirit. In their reply to Jesus’ question concerning their motives for murder we heard that they clearly grasped the weight of Jesus’ words. 

Wrong?

In the murderous response of the people listening to Jesus’ reply we see an interesting situation. They somehow felt like Jesus was worthy of death for declaring his true identity. 

This implies that it was somehow wrong or illegal for the creator to enter into creation. If the person making such a claim can back up their claim through their actions and words, then how is it wrong? 

If Jesus had made such a claim and then failed to provide any evidence or proof, then he should be labeled as a heretic and charlatan. But Jesus did clearly back up his claim through his teaching, signs and wonders, and through his resurrection. 

Evidence

Those who picked up stones (or perhaps pulled them from their pockets) prove as all the evidence I need to be able to say that Jesus Christ absolutely did claim to be the Messiah and more. Jesus made it clear that he was God in flesh, united with the God of Israel in every way. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I agree with your claims of true humanity and true divinity. You are and forever will be the Son of God, one with the Father and the Spirit. As such, I am in awe of your willingness to come into our humanity so that we might be served by your sacrifice. Help me to reflect on the weight of your gift of love today. Help me live as one who is now and forever held in your hands. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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