John 10:32

“Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?”

Context:In this passage, Jesus is having a conversation with the Jews in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication. They question Him about whether He is the Christ, to which Jesus responds by talking about His relationship with the Father and the evidence of His works.

Acknowledge Jesus’ Good Works:Jesus begins His response by reminding the Jews of the many good works He has performed. Throughout His ministry, Jesus performed miracles, healed the sick, raised the dead, and preached the good news of the Kingdom of God. These works were a testament to His divine authority and the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah.

The Source of Jesus’ Works:Jesus states that the works He performed were not merely of His own accord but were a demonstration of His close relationship with the Father. He emphasises that these works were shown to them “from my Father.” This indicates that Jesus’ works were an expression of the Father’s will and a sign of His divine origin.

The Question of Stoning:Jesus poses a challenging question to the Jews by asking them for which of His works they intend to stone Him. This question reveals the irony and inconsistency of their accusations. Instead of recognising and accepting the evidence of His good works, they seek to harm Him. The Jews had accused Jesus of blasphemy for making Himself equal with God (John 10:33), but Jesus appeals to His works as evidence that He is indeed sent by the Father.

Jesus’ Works as a Testimony:Jesus’ question highlights the significance of His works as a testimony to His identity and divine mission. His miracles, teachings, and the fulfilment of prophecies all pointed to the fact that He was the long-awaited Messiah. Despite this evidence, the Jews refused to believe and sought to stone Him.

Application for Believers:The passage invites believers to reflect on the importance of recognising Jesus’ works and their significance. It reminds us that Jesus’ works, as recorded in the Gospels, provide us with compelling evidence of His deity and the truth of His message. As followers of Christ, we are called to acknowledge and appreciate the works of Jesus and allow them to deepen our faith and understanding of His mission.