ENTERING ETERNAL LIFE (3 OF 5)
by Tony Nester
Scripture: JOHN 10:22-30
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Entering Eternal Life (3 of 5)
Tony R. Nester
John 10:22-30
''How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.'' (John 10:24 NRSV).
It seems like a fair question, doesn't it?
Why shouldn't God make himself clear to us? Why are there so many religions? Why do we have to guess which ones are true? Why doesn't God do something so stupendous that there would be no doubt in anyone's mind about God's existence? Why doesn't Jesus appear in this sanctuary right now so our eyes could see him and so that every one us would put our complete faith in him?
Tell us plainly, show us clearly, make it obvious!
Jesus replied to his questioners by telling them that he had told them all they needed to hear, and shown them all they needed to see in order to believe:
''I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me.'' (John 10:25 NRSV)
Then Jesus tells them why it hasn't been enough for them:
''But you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.'' (John 10:26 NRSV)
This sounds strange to us. Is Jesus saying that some people can't believe because they haven't been chosen to belong to God? There is a teaching called predestination that some Christians have used to say just that. According to this teaching there are some who are chosen and can't help but believe, and others who are not chosen and can never believe. This doctrine has a long and confused history in Christian teaching.
I think Jesus' words here have a different meaning. Jesus wants everyone to believe in him and desires that everyone belong to him. Just a few verses later in this chapter Jesus is inviting these same people do come to faith in him. (See verses 37-38).
God's gift of salvation is for all who will receive it.
(Romans 5:6 NRSV) ''For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.''
The ungodly includes all of us. And it was for all of us that Christ d ...
Tony R. Nester
John 10:22-30
''How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.'' (John 10:24 NRSV).
It seems like a fair question, doesn't it?
Why shouldn't God make himself clear to us? Why are there so many religions? Why do we have to guess which ones are true? Why doesn't God do something so stupendous that there would be no doubt in anyone's mind about God's existence? Why doesn't Jesus appear in this sanctuary right now so our eyes could see him and so that every one us would put our complete faith in him?
Tell us plainly, show us clearly, make it obvious!
Jesus replied to his questioners by telling them that he had told them all they needed to hear, and shown them all they needed to see in order to believe:
''I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me.'' (John 10:25 NRSV)
Then Jesus tells them why it hasn't been enough for them:
''But you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.'' (John 10:26 NRSV)
This sounds strange to us. Is Jesus saying that some people can't believe because they haven't been chosen to belong to God? There is a teaching called predestination that some Christians have used to say just that. According to this teaching there are some who are chosen and can't help but believe, and others who are not chosen and can never believe. This doctrine has a long and confused history in Christian teaching.
I think Jesus' words here have a different meaning. Jesus wants everyone to believe in him and desires that everyone belong to him. Just a few verses later in this chapter Jesus is inviting these same people do come to faith in him. (See verses 37-38).
God's gift of salvation is for all who will receive it.
(Romans 5:6 NRSV) ''For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.''
The ungodly includes all of us. And it was for all of us that Christ d ...
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