The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Devotion based on John 10:24-30

Riddles can be used to strengthen the way you think. They can also be aggravating if you don’t have the answer. Many of the Jewish people who listened to Jesus saw him as a riddle. They couldn’t figure out if he was the Messiah or not. So finally, they came up to ask him. “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” No more mystery. They wanted a straight answer.

Jesus gave them a straight answer. “I did tell you.” He performed miracles in their presence. He revealed who he was as he taught the crowds who followed him. The problem is that many rejected the miracles and the words Jesus spoke to them. They did not believe Jesus as he proclaimed, that he was the Son of God.

Do not become like those who gathered around Jesus. Do not begin to think that Jesus doesn’t give a clear answer about who he is or what he came to do. There is no riddle. Jesus also speaks plainly to you. He is God; he stated, “I and my Father are one.” He came to save you from your sins and give you eternal life. Jesus doesn’t speak in riddles about who he is or what he came to do. He speaks plainly to you, his sheep, so “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

Listen to the clear words of Jesus. Hold on to them in faith. Look with hope to the eternal life he brings.

Prayer:

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.