Read:

John 10:22-25

²² And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.  ²³ And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. ²⁴ Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. ²⁵ Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4

³ But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  ⁴ In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Exhortation:

A  hostile group of Jewish rulers surrounded Jesus, while He was walking along Solomon’s porch in the temple area. They tried to provoke Him by alleging that He will not tell the truth about Himself plainly to them. Repeatedly in the past they had tried to get Him to tell them who He was (cf. 8:25). But always He replied in plain and clear language, which they could not take advantage to find reason to accuse Him. Therefore, they challenged Him to come to the point. “lf thou be the Christ, tell us plainly” (v.24). The point of their demand was that He should speak “plainly.” They wanted Him to say flatly, “I am the Christ.” The ensuing conversation affirms yet again that Jesus is the Christ. The word “Christ” means the anointed one from God, or the Messiah. It also affirms the title “the Son of God.”

Jesus affirmed that He is the Christ (v.25a): Jesus had allowed many to refer to Him as Christ. Even if He had told them explicitly that He is Christ, they would have rejected Him as a fool who does not know what He was saying. On many occasions, He also clearly said that He was sent by the Father in heaven, implying that He is the anointed Messiah. So Jesus answered the Jews, “I told you, and ye believed not.” (cf. Jn 1:40–41; 4:25–26; 4:42; 6:68–69; 5:30; 5:43; 8:16; 8:28–29.)

To the Samaritan woman, He admitted to being such. Finally, under oath He would confess to being the Christ, the Son of God (Matt 26:63f.). When He did so, the Sanhedrin voted Him to be guilty of blasphemy, and before Pilate charged Him with being a king. So knowing the purpose of the Jewish rulers, He had refused to make this claim “plainly” before them.

Jesus’ works affirmed that He is the Christ (v.25b): On several occasions prior to this conversation, Jesus had affirmed that the works He had done in the midst of the people proved that He is sent by the Father. Even some of those who watched Him doing His miracles claimed that He is the Messiah. But they believed neither His words nor His works.

Thought:

Why do I follow Jesus?

PRAYER

Lord, let me be lost in Your will, and not in my own.