5072022 – John 10.22-30
Jesus was not always “Captain Obvious.” He was not always as clear as he could be. He did seem to speak in riddles. He answered questions with questions. He loved teaching in parables… He did speak philosophically from time to time. And sometimes, he did leave his audiences baffled and confused…and wanting to know more.
BUT, sometimes we miss the obvious.
Something can be right in front of our eyes, and still we miss it.
Sometimes we only see what we want to see, and likewise, we only hear what we want to hear.
In John – chapter 10 people were “missing the obvious.”
AS ALWAYS – there is “a lot going on” in our gospel text for today.
For example: I love this, “it is winter.” Jesus is walking and teaching in the Portico of Solomon.
This is so descriptive.
At the winter season, when the cold winds sweep in from the east across the great desert, we see Jesus walking in the east portico of the temple.
It was the “only one of the proticoes” whose closed side would protect it from the east wind.
As Jesus was teaching, he was saved from the harsh winds and cold…as were his listeners. They were not outdoors. They were warm. They were not distracted. They could hear.
Unfortunately, his opponents found this to be “an easy place” to “trap Jesus” and to try to force him into some incriminating statements.”
The Greek word that is used here, tells us that the Jewish leaders gathered around, surrounded, engulfed, or encircled Jesus. They actually formed a ring around him. They were attempting to entrap him, capture him, enmesh him in their trap.
There was nowhere for him to go. He was cornered. Stuck.
That’s when they asked their questions, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense?” – “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
Now their questions are problematic for them… They just do not get it –
You see, since they are asking the questions publicly, they are also publicly admitting that they do not see, they do not hear, they do not GET what his works have been making clear all along.
In an honor and shame society…they have already lost the argument with their questions.
Umm…why aren’t you guys listening? Why aren’t you seeing? Why are you so slow at comprehending what is OBVIOUS to EVERYBODY ELSE?
I tell you, sometimes, we miss the obvious. Sometimes we see what we want to see and we hear what we want to hear.
Jesus’ response is, “I have already told you and you do not believe me.”
Guys, I hate to say it, but the onus is on you!
In chapter one of John’s gospel, Jesus is called, God, the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the Messiah, the King of Israel, and the Son of Man…and that is only the first chapter.
In the second chapter he changes water into wine at the Wedding in Cana in Galilee.
You know what John 3.16 says…For God so loved the world…
In chapter 4, he is the LIVING WATER and called the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.
In chapter 5, he heals a man lame for 38 years and he constantly refers to God as his father. CONSTANTLY.
In chapter six, he feeds the multitudes with five loaves and two fish and then claims for himself to be the BREAD OF LIFE.
In chapter seven, he offers the Spirit of God to those who are thirsty.
And in eight, he says before Abraham was, HE WAS.
In chapter 9 Jesus claims to be the LIGHT OF THE WORLD…and then to prove it, he opens the eyes of a man born blind.
All of which brings us up to chapter 10 for today…where we have the language of the Good Shepherd…Jesus says that he has the authority not only to die, but also to take up his life again.
For 10 straight chapters Jesus has talked about and actually shown to people JUST WHO HE IS…and WHAT HE IS CAPABLE OF…
At the end of the Gospel John, the Gospel writer will tell us that Jesus did MANY OTHER SIGNS in the presence of his disciples that were not written in this book, but these were written that you may believe that Jesus IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, and that by believing, you may have LIFE in his name.
Sometimes he spoke figuratively, sometimes in metaphors…
“The works that I do in my Father’s name, THESE testify about me,” Jesus said.
Sometimes we miss the obvious. Sometimes we see what we want to see. Sometimes we hear only what we want to hear. Amen.