Sunday March 27, 2005
I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there. (John 10:30-42)
Now Jesus takes another step and crosses the proverbial "line in the sand" in 10:30, He declares "I and my Father are one." Jesus openly reveals His claim of Deity to these unbelieving Jews. Their response shows their true motive: disregard all the many miracle, His powerful words, just find a way to destroy Him. It's like the old saying: "Don't confuse them with the facts!" Notice that Jesus has a reply for them, but even in their anger, they can do nothing against Him. Jesus reminds them in 10: 37,38 that He is doing the works of the Father.
The chapter ends as Jesus returns to the countryside, to the place of John's baptizing. Many people followed Him there. They reflected on the facts of His witness and concluded that His works (Jesus' many miracles) and the testimony of John the Baptist were true (1:34 "This is the Son of God.") It concludes reporting that "many believed on Him there. It is interesting that few followers come from "schools of higher learning", while many disciples are simple folk just trained with common sense!
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:34-36)
Before going on to Chapter 11, I would like to back up here and take on this very controversial passage. The New Testament was, of course written in Greek, but the passage our Lord referred to was Psalm 82:6:
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
There the word is “Elohim” this, definitely, does refer to God, but the word does not EXCUSIVELY apply to God; it can also refer to leaders, rulers, magistrates, people who do have some authority.
Another words, the Jewish leaders have a title, a title that also can properly be used in referring to God, how could they then say to the Lord Jesus “Thou blashemest” because He said He was God’s Son?
Besides, they were, as usual, being hypocritical here. Remember back in chapter 8:
Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. (John 8:41)
So it is that they referred themselves as being the children of God.
Sorry Mormons, but this passage has absolutely nothing to do with anyone having, or attaining deity.
