John 10:21

Jesus’ miracles spoke for themselves. These signs were given in order for the people to ponder their significance and in turn recognize Jesus’ Oneness with the Father - His deeds carrying as much weight and being as important as His Words. Words have always been relatively easy to proclaim therefore people desire proof in the pudding – “Show me the money” or “Put your money where your mouth is” is the mantra of most. He, therefore, backed up His Words by authenticating signs and wonders proving to be Whom He claimed to be. Over and over again we find Jesus healing the sick, raising the dead, restoring sight to the blind - doing what only God can do – things impossible for man to accomplish. We discover the following in Matthew regarding some of Jesus’ actions while His feet walked this earth:

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. Matt 4:23-24 (NIV)

Indeed, in speaking of His miracles Jesus proclaimed they evidenced He was and is One with the Father. We find in the gospel of John the following Words of our Lord:

37 Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father." John 10:37-38 (NIV)

All these actions should have convinced His Jewish hearers that God’s hand was moving towards accomplishing His purposes and they therefore should be readying themselves through repentance and subsequent acknowledgment and trust in Jesus as the coming Messiah. Our Lord also stated this lack of belief in the miracles He performed was a demonstration that they did not belong to Him. We find our Lord’s Words in John:

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. John 10:25-26 (NIV)

This poses a question for us to ponder as well. Are we readying ourselves for Jesus’ ultimate return through repentance – our turning from sin to Him – and trusting in Him as our Savior and righteousness? It matters you know. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Jesus tells us:

1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3 (NIV)

Peter gives us the following admonitions to “have hope” and “be holy” in light of this Truth:

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:14 (NIV)

In our verses for today we see some of the Pharisees coming to the defense of our Lord. Though the stream of unbelief ran strong, they dared to swim against it. Two things they believed could not be refuted – the excellence of His doctrine and the power of the miracles He performed – His Word and His works both giving claim to His Deity. It seemed nonsensical to them that people would call Jesus’ Words demonic. Satan and his companions in harm never desire to do good towards any man nor do they desire to glorify God with their words. Jesus’ God glorifying, loving language was anything but demoniac. Our Lord’s works spoke for themselves. Most Jews of that day subscribed to the fact that one of the special miracles of the coming Messiah would be to open the eyes of the blind. The prophet Isaiah prophesized this Truth:

5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Isaiah 35:5 (NIV)

“The only Christ for whom there is a shred of evidence is a miraculous figure making stupendous claims.” C. S. Lewis