John 10:31–42 - 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 “If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” 39 Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp. 40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. 41 Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.” 42 Many believed in Him there.
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, a hostile crowd of Jewish leaders grabbed stones to execute Jesus because He stated that He and God the Father were one. Jesus responded by quoting from their sacred writings where God called certain people "gods." He explained that if this term applied to those who received God's message, His claim to be God's Son was legitimate since the Father had sent Him into the world (vv. 31-36). Jesus told them to examine His miraculous works as proof of His connection with the Father. When they tried to seize Him, He slipped away from their grasp (vv. 37-39). Jesus then traveled to the area where John the Baptist had previously ministered. In that place, many people put their faith in Him because everything John had said about Jesus proved true (vv. 40-42).
How can I apply John 10:31-42 to my life?
The religious leaders were ready to stone Jesus to death. Their reason? He claimed to be one with God the Father - a statement they saw as the ultimate blasphemy. It made them so angry they picked up rocks right there in the temple courts. Jesus's response to this life-threatening situation shows us something remarkable about His character and identity. He stood His ground. Rather than softening His claims or running away, He offered proof of His divine nature. First, He quoted Scripture that even His enemies had to respect. Then He pointed to His miraculous works - undeniable evidence that God was working through Him. Some people believed and followed Him. Others refused to accept the truth despite the clear evidence before their eyes. This same choice faces everyone who encounters Jesus today. The proof of His deity has not changed. His power still transforms lives in ways that nothing else can. Our response to who Jesus claims to be will impact every part of our life and faith. No one can stay neutral about His identity - He is either who He says He is, or He is not. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Trust in Jesus's Divine Nature as One with the Father (vv. 31-36): Jesus faced death threats for declaring His oneness with God the Father. Standing firm in the truth of Jesus's divine nature transforms every part of our faith walk. Some days believing in Jesus as God feels natural and easy. Other days, especially when doubters challenge our faith, we must plant our feet on this unshakeable foundation with determination. Living out this belief means surrendering control - Jesus is not just someone who gives good advice or sets a strong example. He is God in human form, worthy of complete devotion and trust. Your daily choices speak volumes about what you really believe about Jesus. Simple acts like stopping to pray, choosing integrity at work, or showing kindness to difficult people flow from accepting His divine authority in your life. Hard moments come when others question or mock your faith in Jesus as God. Yet these challenges can push you toward deeper trust and bolder faith. The truth of His deity changes how you approach Him in prayer - you are not just talking to a friend but communing with the Creator of all things. Life looks different when you grasp that the One walking beside you holds all power and authority. Your struggles matter to Him because He is both fully God and fully invested in your life. Take this truth about Jesus's divine nature and let it touch everything - your worship, your choices, your relationships, your future plans. Your conviction about who Jesus is will give you strength to live differently in a world that often rejects Him (Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-4).
Food for Thought: How does your belief in Jesus's divine nature affect your daily decisions and actions? What difference does it make in your life that Jesus is not just a good teacher but God Himself?
2. Accept Jesus Works as Proof of His Divine Authority (vv. 37-39): Jesus pointed to His miraculous works as clear evidence of His divine authority and unity with God the Father. The extraordinary signs and wonders Jesus performed were not meant to dazzle or entertain - they proved His divine identity beyond doubt. Some people today want hard evidence before they will believe anything. Jesus gave exactly that through His miraculous works. Think about it: He turned water into wine at a wedding feast, gave sight to people born blind, and even called a dead man from his tomb! These were not magic tricks or coincidences. Every miracle showed His power as God's Son. His works still speak loudly today. Lives torn apart by sin become beautifully whole. People trapped in darkness find light and hope. Broken families discover healing. Hardened hearts soften under His touch. The evidence of Jesus's divine power keeps stacking up in countless lives across the world. His works demand that we make a choice - we cannot stay neutral about who He is. The hostile crowd in Jerusalem saw His miracles yet still refused to believe. Others saw the same works and fell at His feet in worship. The proof stands before us just as it did for them. His actions matched His claims perfectly. When we truly grasp that Jesus's works prove His deity, it changes everything about how we live. We approach Him with awe and trust, knowing He has power to handle any situation we face. Our confidence grows as we see His continuing work in our lives and in others. The evidence calls us to full surrender to His lordship (Matthew 11:2-5; Acts 2:22-24; Hebrews 2:3-4).
Food for Thought: What works of Jesus in the Bible provide the strongest proof to you personally of His divine identity? How have you seen Jesus's power at work in your own life or in the lives of others?
3. Rest in the Power of Jesus to Transform Lives (vv. 40-42): Despite opposition in Jerusalem, Jesus went to a place where many people believed in Him because of John the Baptist's testimony. Life-change has an amazing way of spreading from person to person. That is what happens when Jesus gets hold of your life - people take notice. Some changes hit like lightning bolts, others creep in slowly like the morning sun. Your transformed life tells a story that no argument can match. At work, people see you tackle problems with unusual calm. Your family spots the difference in how you respond to conflict. Old friends notice your new priorities and perspectives. Jesus takes broken lives and builds something beautiful. He sets people free from the chains that once bound them tight. Your own story - whether quiet or dramatic - adds to the proof that Jesus still transforms lives today. Think about those first believers by the Jordan. They had no idea their choice to follow Jesus would start a chain reaction spanning centuries. Now here you are, living proof of His power in the 21st century. God takes regular people like you and turns them into signposts pointing toward His Son. Hard hearts soften when they see real change in someone they know. Your struggles, victories, and steady growth in faith show others that Jesus offers more than empty promises. The ways you handle money, treat others, face hardships - it all paints a picture of His work in your life. Some folks might brush off fancy words about God, but they stop and look when they see authentic transformation. Each day brings new chances to demonstrate His power at work in you. Your changed life opens doors for others to meet the One who changed you (Acts 4:13-14; 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8; 1 Peter 2:11-12).
Food for Thought: What changes has Jesus made in your life that others can see? How can you use your story of transformation to help others come to faith in Jesus?
The evidence of Jesus's deity shapes our entire approach to faith and daily living. His unity with God the Father calls us to full surrender, not casual religious practice. His miraculous works demand a response - we cannot simply admire Jesus from a distance or treat Him as just another religious teacher. The transforming power He displayed then continues to change lives now. People who truly grasp His divine identity find themselves viewing work, relationships, challenges, and purpose through new eyes. Their priorities shift. Their choices change. Their confidence grows. Following Jesus as God in human form brings both profound peace and serious responsibilities. He gives us His power for daily living while calling us to represent Him well to others. The proof of His deity stands rock-solid, backed by Scripture, confirmed by His works, and demonstrated through changed lives across centuries. Our task is to live out this truth boldly, allowing His divine power to shine through our ordinary days. Others will see the difference when we fully trust and follow Jesus as the divine Son of God.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would deepen my understanding of Jesus's divine nature and His unity with You. Open my eyes to see the truth of His deity more clearly each day. I pray that You would build my faith when doubts creep in or when others question what I believe about Jesus. Help me to stand firm like Jesus did when He faced opposition. I pray that You would give me wisdom to see Your miraculous works all around me - both in the pages of Scripture and in lives being changed today. Show me how Jesus's power is still active and real. I pray that You would use my transformed life as evidence of His deity to those who watch me. Give me courage to share my story of how knowing Jesus has changed me. Help me to live in a way that points others to Him. I pray that You would fill me with joy and peace as I rest in the truth that Jesus is God. Guide my choices and actions to flow from complete trust in His divine authority. Thank You for the clear proof You have given us of Jesus's identity as Your Son.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
John 10:37 - “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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