Lent 2023: John 7:10-36

Jesus at the Festival of Dedication

22 Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

25 “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in my Father’s name testify about me. 26 But you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

Renewed Efforts to Stone Jesus

31 Again the Jews picked up rocks to stone him.

32 Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these works are you stoning me?”

33 “We aren’t stoning you for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy, because you—being a man—make yourself God.”

34 Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, I said, you are gods? 35 If he called those to whom the word of God came ‘gods’—and the Scripture cannot be broken— 36 do you say, ‘You are blaspheming’ to the one the Father set apart and sent into the world, because I said: I am the Son of God? 37 If I am not doing my Father’s works, don’t believe me. 38 But if I am doing them and you don’t believe me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand[f] that the Father is in me and I in the Father.” 39 Then they were trying again to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

Many beyond the Jordan Believe in Jesus

40 So he departed again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. 41 Many came to him and said, “John never did a sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there.

—John 10:22-42

Read & Journal

Read John 10:22-43. Let these journal prompts guide your response to the passage.

• What does this passage teach you about Jesus? His character? His purpose?

• What do these verses reveal about Jesus’ relationship with the Father?

• Why is it important that during his earthly life, Jesus was acting under and within the authority of the Father?

• Many times in his conversations with the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus pointed to “witnesses” that should have pointed them to his identity as the Messiah. Here he also points to his miracles as confirmation of his identity. Think about your journey of faith. Who or what truths did the Holy Spirit use in your life to point you toward Jesus?

• In this passage, Jesus affirmed that he is in the Father and the Father is in him (v. 38). Why is this oneness important?

• After this conversation with the religious leaders during which Jesus called out their unbelief, Jesus left the temple and the people who had all the tools and means to recognize him and went to the Jordan River where many believed. As Christians, it’s easy for us to know all the facts but lose sight of the humble, heartfelt relationship Jesus wants to have with us. Has that ever happened to you? What did you learn from that experience?

• Spend some time in silence before God, asking the Holy Spirit to search your heart for ways you are going through the motions of faith, but not allowing the Holy Spirit to change your heart. Ask God for renewed spirit and heart and a desire to know, see and be involved in the work he is doing in the world. Journal your prayer.