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PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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In today’s examination of the claims that Jesus Christ made about his own nature, authority, and purpose as heard in the message of the Gospels, we come to a very powerful confession of Jesus’ understanding of his reason for being. This is perhaps one of the clearest and most compelling messages related to the mission and purpose of the Messiah. 

Read this powerful message below:

22 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 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.”

(John 10:22-30 NIV11)

Motives

In verses 22-24, we heard the question posed by the people surrounding Jesus while he was walking through the Temple grounds in Jerusalem. When you read their question, along with the additional comments that help set the tone, would you conclude that their motives in asking this question were from a good heart or do you think this could be a trap?

Response

Jesus gives his reply but refuses to allow his inquisitors to set the terms or the tone of the conversation. His reply here speaks to the fact that those asking the question were not a part of the group of people who had received Jesus by faith. These were skeptics at best and accusers and opponents at worst. 

Miracles

Jesus points to the signs and wonders that he has been performing in the name of the Heavenly Father. It is interesting that they asked Jesus about his true identity, and he in turn gave them his miracles as his reply. 

In Matthew’s Gospel we hear the alternative version of this same conversation:

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” 

39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

(Matthew 12:38-40 NIV11)

In this interaction, the people are asking Jesus to perform a miracle so as to confirm that he is the Messiah. Jesus replies by telling them that they will see a great miracle in his resurrection. But because they do not have faith in Jesus while he was living, working, teaching, and showing love on a daily basis while in their presence, no amount of miracles will ever overcome their doubts. 

Miracles still happen today. I have personal experience with the supernatural hand of God at work in my life, but sadly, these miracles do not always lead to faith and submission to Christ. The people that accused Jesus and sent him to the cross had been present for some amazing acts of God and yet these signs and wonders did not melt their hearts of stone. 

Sheep

In John 10:25-27 Jesus spoke of those who hear his voice and choose to follow him by faith as being part of God’s flock, his sheep. God’s children listen to the voice of God in whatever form they find it. 

•  They hear the voice of God in the word of God. 
•  They hear the voice of God in the movement of the Holy Spirit. 
•  They hear the voice of God in and through the works of the church, the Body of Christ on earth. 

New

Those that choose to hear the call of the Lord and respond with faith are welcomed into a wonder new reality. They receive the gift of eternal life, security in God’s hand, and a relationship with the Lord that comes through grace by faith.  

One

In verse 30 we hear Jesus’ real answer to their question about whether or not he really is the promised Messiah. Jesus lets them know that he is so much more than what they were expecting from the Messiah. 

In his answer of, “I and the Father are one,” Jesus speaks to a reality much greater than any sort of worldly king or even any anointed prophet of God could ever realize. Here Jesus makes the claim that he is of the same substance (but of a different person) as the Heavenly Father. 

There can be no doubt about how Jesus Christ defined his true nature. He and the Father are one and their mission is to bring salvation and healing to all who believe. Amazing. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you with humility and awe. You are one with the Father, one with the Spirit, and are yourself the Eternal Son. Help me to feel the weight of this truth today as I meditate this proclamation of your true self. You are to be praised!

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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