Pod Prep : 12-21-18
Understanding Jesus' Shocking Statement in John, “I Said, You Are Gods.”
JESUS PLAINLY STATES TO HIS AUDIENCE YOU ARE GODS, WHY?
What does this proclamation mean? What does it mean to us believers now, and why did Jesus say it? Let us first look at the verse.
John 10:32-34 NKJV 32 Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?" 33 The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God." 34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods"'?
The word “Jews” means Jewish leaders since John and all of them were Jewish. Jesus was accused of blasphemy by those that were jealous of his fame and miracle working power. Jesus had mentioned that his works testified of his special status. The religious leaders, in their jealousy, could not tolerate this obvious fact. So Jesus also used a phrase, which all believed and used in Israel as his defense. He quoted Psalms.
Psalms 82:6-8 NKJV 6, “I said, "You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High. 7 But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes." 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations.
Further, Jesus reminds them that if in some circumstances, God appointed judges can be called 'god' then surely someone like him could NOT be accused of blasphemy. Christ adds that the scripture cannot be broken. They are inviolable.
John 10:35-38 NKJV 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, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."
The word sanctified means to be set apart by God. This reference to Jesus being set apart by God for a special mission, echoes the calling of Moses the lawgiver or Jeremiah the prophet and Aaron the high priest. No doubt all this angered them because his logic was so cuttingly correct.
THE CONTEXTUAL VIEW
The event begins with the Jewish leaders and others gathering around Christ in the Temple portico. They are asking Him if He is the Messiah to come. They say, tell us in plain language if you are the Messiah (Christ).
John 10:23-24 NKJV 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."
Their motives for asking Him are not just pure curiosity they want to trap Jesus. They cannot handle the truth. The reason the religious leaders do not know that He is the Messiah is not unclear speaking, but, it is that they lack faith. God is not opening their minds and as leaders and teachers of religion they could not accept this reality.
John 10:25-27 NKJV 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. 26 "But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Jesus is telling them that they were not called to be his sheep and therefore are not given the faith to recognize the Messiah's first coming. Being self righteous religious leaders, this offends them. They asked if he were the Messiah to embarrass or corner him. But he then doubled down on his assertion of his divinity.
John 10:28-30 NKJV 28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 "I and My Father are one."
They now saw without any doubt that Jesus was claiming divinity and being on a similar level with the Father. Jesus further adds to his claims.
John 10:37-40 NKJV 37 "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 "but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him." 39 Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand. 40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed.
Jesus came to die for all mankind so it was the will of God for the leaders to not believe in Him at this time.
JESUS WILL LEAD THE FAITHFUL INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD AS WELL
Paul reveals that Jesus was higher than angels, and the first born of many brethren. Jesus was God and came to earth to sacrifice himself as our high priest and lead believers into the God Family. Believers like Jesus are also destined to be higher than angels.
Hebrews 1:13-14 NKJV 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
Paul is quoting psalms and explaining that the Son rules with divine righteousness and was from the beginning the Son of God. Jesus is the eternally begotten Son.
Hebrews 2:1-3 NKJV 1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
Paul is warning that we true Christians have an unbelievable inheritance. We should be afraid to neglect 'SO GREAT A SALVATION'! He means we have an opportunity to be in God's Family. Wow!
Hebrews 2:11-12 NKJV 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."
Jesus Christ is not ashamed to call us brothers. This is a wonderful aspect of our salvation. We are called to be Christ brothers. Unbelievable !
Hebrews 2:12-14 NKJV 12 saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You." 13 And again: "I will put My trust in Him." And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me." 14 In as much then, as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
Note that Paul uses the terms ' My Brethren ' . Paul explains that Jesus is bringing many sons to glory or salvation. We are the brothers of Jesus Christ the Holy Son of God.
Hebrews 2:17 WEB 17 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
Where will we believers be upon being fully born into the family of God with regards to angels? Paul says we will out rank them as members of the Family of God.
1 Corinthians 6:3 WEB 3 Don't you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
A verse in the book of Revelation only makes sense if we are in the resurrection 'baby Gods' .
Revelation 3:8-9 NKJV 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 "Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
When Jesus said and quoted an OT verse that you are gods, it will eventually have more meaning than any of the leaders who condemned him ever thought. Paul elaborates further.
Romans 8:16-18 NKJV 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
What we suffer in this life is not worthy to be compared to the GLORY WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED IN US upon resurrection into the God Family. How to be sure we win and not neglect so great an opportunity. Paul tells us :
Philippians 3:14 KJV 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 9:27 KJV 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
