Sunday School Lesson
August 23
Lesson 12 (KJV)
Taming the Tongue
Devotional Reading: Isaiah 50:4–11
Background Scripture: James 3:1–12
1. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that
it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12. Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Key Verse
The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!—James 3:5
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. List several consequences of speaking with an untamed tongue.
2. Explain the relationship between lack of wisdom and an untamed tongue.
3. Role-play modern situations in which the tongue is used for good or for evil.
HOW TO SAY IT
| Aramaic | Air-uh-may-ik. |
| Corinthians | Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin). |
| Jude | Jood. |
| Nez Percé | Nehz Purse. |
| Rabbi | Rab-eye. |
| Rabboni | Rab-o-nye. |
| Thessalonians | Thess-uh-lo-nee-unz (th as in thin). |
Introduction
A. The Power of Words
The longer we live, the more acutely we are aware of the power of the tongue to destroy. From the days when we hurled schoolyard taunts or insults (or were on the receiving end of those), we realized the power of words to hurt or damage.
Every generation seems to learn this lesson the hard way. Consider, for example, the impact of social media in the world in general and in the church in particular. With fingers typing as an extension of the tongue, Christians argue sharply with each other about faith, politics, etc., in publicly visible Facebook threads. Prominent ministers and authors quarrel with one another on Twitter; relationships are strained or broken on ill-considered tweets of 280 characters or fewer. What would the Bible writers say about such practices?
B. Lesson Context
As we saw in previous lessons, some practices of James’s audience ran counter to what they voiced in speech. Up to the point of today’s passage, James has written about negative modes of speech, such as the self-justifying claim that one is tempted by God (James 1:13), the flattering speech that reveals partiality toward the rich and shames the poor (2:3–6), the careless speech of those who wish the poor well but do not help them (2:16; see lesson 11), and the superficial speech of the one claiming to have faith but lacking deeds (2:18; see lesson 11).
Other examples of improper speech occurring later include those of judging and slandering (James 4:11), boasting (4:13–16), and grumbling (5:9; see lesson 13). Sandwiched in between is today’s text.
Since today’s lesson draws heavily on figures of speech, some background information in that regard is in order. Figurative language adds interest and excitement to writing; chief among figures of speech are metaphors. A metaphor takes an idea and imposes it on an unrelated but familiar idea to help explain the qualities of the original. One easy example is the phrase “Joseph is a fruitful bough” (Genesis 49:22). This does not mean that this particular son of Jacob was literally a grapevine or other vegetation. It means, rather, that he was productive in some way.
James’s use of metaphor in speaking of the tongue reflects how other biblical writers use metaphor in speaking of the heart. Indeed, heart and tongue are used in poetic passages to stand parallel to one another.
The tongue of the just is as choice silver:
the heart of the wicked is little worth.
—Proverbs 10:20
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad.
—Acts 2:26
Biblical writers use the imagery of the heart to speak of what defines and reveals our true, inner nature. In the same way, the tongue is more than just a part of the body. The tongue is equated with speech, of course. But James’s insight extends beyond that. How one uses the tongue reveals the nature of the heart as motives are connected with speech and actions.
I. Warning to Teachers
(James 3:1, 2)
A. Future Consequences (v. 1)
1a. My brethren, be not many masters.
James opens this portion of his letter with a warning to those who want to become masters. The Greek word being translated is equivalent to the Aramaic word Rabbi or Rabboni, referring to a respected teacher (see John 20:16; compare 3:2; the same word in the original language is translated “teachers” in Acts 13:1; 1 Corinthians 12:28; etc.). In some cases, people who are not teachers should become teachers (see Hebrews 5:12). In other cases, people who are or desire to be teachers should not be. The latter problem is the issue in the verse before us.
Part of the problem that James may be addressing here is that many desire to become teachers because of the status it gives them in the church. An unholy desire to be a teacher is likely grounded in a desire for status (Matthew 23:1–7). Rabbis are not necessarily better off financially than others, but they are accorded honor.
1b. Knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
James sounds a warning for those who are or desire to be teachers—and he writes as one who is a teacher himself. James has already discussed the problem of discrimination based on wealth and social standing (see James 2:1–13). So the warning against seeking to teach can be seen to continue to address the desire for standing while moving into the discussion of use of the tongue.
It may also be that some teachers are being careless with the words they speak. This may stem from a desire for the honor that the teaching role brings at the expense of the content of what is taught. The greater condemnation calls to mind the words of Jesus:
Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned (Matthew 12:36, 37).
To teach carelessly, falsely, with flattering speech, etc., marks one who is not faithfully exerting self-control (compare Romans 16:17, 18; 1 Thessalonians 2:3–5; Jude 16).
There are two primary schools of thought about how James 3:1 relates to what follows. Some see it as introducing the general topic of speech by referring to a particular circumstance of speech. Others see the reverse, saying that this verse introduces material especially important for teachers themselves (see also lesson 13). This commentary will consider the text as instruction specifically for teachers and those who desire to be teachers. Even so, the analogies James uses and the direct points he makes are certainly applicable in an extended sense to all Christians.
| What Do You Think? How can our church help its non-teaching members evaluate whether they should become teachers? Digging Deeper |
-
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
The word translated offend (translated “stumbled” in Romans 11:11) begins a word picture of careless use of the tongue (in word). The phrase we offend all does not mean “we offend everyone”; rather, it means that all of us are guilty of tripping up in various ways. To be wary of how one’s words are taken is particularly important for the teacher who is charged with communicating Christian doctrine to new believers. Teachers who fail in this area will speak in ways that are harmful to the church body. Habits of speech are, therefore, particularly important as the teacher gives direction to the community.
Even so, the person who is never guilty of verbal miscues does not exist. The hypothetical person who achieves perfection in speech would, by extension, be able to control every aspect of his or her life; that is, be able to bridle the whole body. James uses a word picture: a bridled horse is a controlled horse. The verb translated to bridle is translated similarly in James 1:26.
If the teacher can control the tongue in teaching, then the result will be to impart the truth of the faith. Consider all that teachers are responsible for: they must pass along biblical truth accurately and thoroughly. They are responsible for interpretation and application. They guide Christian believers in many aspects of life—spiritually, intellectually, and morally.
| What Do You Think? Although perfection isn’t fully attainable in this life, what is the single most important thing you can do to keep the standard of James 3:2 before you in the week ahead? Digging Deeper |
Chapter 3 is pivotal as James explicitly connects speech to control of the body. To control the tongue means that one can control one’s entire self. Teaching, then, is not limited to speech. It also comes about through the actions of the teacher. Truthful teaching does not simply mean that the teacher says the correct words to explain the Christian faith. Truthful teaching includes consistency: words spoken by the teacher are consistent with the teacher’s life. The walk matches the talk.
II. Power of the Tongue
(James 3:3–8)
A. Like Horses (v. 3)
3. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
A bridle usually includes a bit, which is a metal device inserted into the mouth of a horse. The bit results in discomfort, causing the horse to respond to the pressure of the reins attached to the bridle. If the rider pulls back on both reins, the horse will slow until the pressure from the reins is released. If the rider pulls the right rein, the trained horse will turn right until the pressure from the bit is relieved. Just as the bit guides the horse, so the tongue of the teacher guides the church and has a similar large impact on its course.
B. Like Ships (vv. 4, 5a)
4. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
With a second analogy, James extends his discussion of the impact of the teacher’s words on the church. The analogy involves contrasting the size of a ship’s steering mechanism with the size of the ship itself. Two forces are at work: (1) fierce winds on the ship as a whole and (2) the ship’s governor at the helm. So much depends on the one steering the ship!
It’s a Learning Process
I learned to ride a bicycle when I was 7 years old. Thirty years later, I bought my first motorcycle. The transition was an easy one because the principles of balance and steering apply to both. At 82, I’m still occasionally asked, “Have you ever had an accident?” My answer is always, “Never a fatal one.” I’m still learning as I become a better rider. Steering a boat is similar. Practice makes a skilled helmsman.
Controlling our tongues also takes practice. It can take a lifetime to learn how to use our tongues to help and not to hurt. How practiced are you in the steering of others by means of your tongue?
—C. R. B.
5a. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.
Before James moves to his third analogy, he pauses to ensure that his readers do not miss the point of the first two: the tongue has an outsized importance relative to its little size.
| What Do You Think? What are some safeguards Christians can adopt to prevent boasting? Digging Deeper |
Like Fire (vv. 5b, 6)5b. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Whether we have experienced a forest fire personally or not, all of us are aware of the devastating impact that an uncontrolled blaze can have. Often, these fires are caused by something very little—a dropped match or a campfire not adequately snuffed out. The second half of verse 5 leads into verse 6.
6a. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.
Similar phrasing is found in Proverbs 16:27 and Isaiah 30:27.
6b. So is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
The word members refers to parts of the body, terminology frequently found in Paul’s writings as well (example: Romans 12:4, 5). Though the tongue is only one piece of the whole, it has an outsized effect.
Three results of an unchecked tongue are noted. The first (defileth the whole body) is that a person is made unholy. The second (setteth on fire the course of nature) involves a Greek word referring to birth or lineage (see also in Matthew 1:1, 18; Luke 1:14); the tongue can upset the natural cycle of life in very short order. The third (it is set on fire of hell) offers insight regarding the source of abuses inflicted by the tongue (compare Matthew 5:22).
| What Do You Think? What “emergency” tongue-control procedures would you propose for Christians when a conversation starts to shed more heat than light? Digging Deeper |
Unlike Tamed Creatures (vv. 7, 8)7. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind.
James now begins a comparison from another setting: that of humanity’s taming of various creatures. He divides these into four categories: land animals, birds, serpents (or reptiles in general, translated “creeping things” in Acts 10:12; 11:6; Romans 1:23), and sea creatures.
By tamed James does not mean that humans have made pets or farm animals out of all these creatures (compare Job 41:1–5). The idea of taming is closer to the command of Genesis 1:28 for humankind to “have dominion over” all creatures. There is no creature that humans have not been able to dominate. Humans have the proven ability to exercise dominion over all earthly creatures, whether for good or bad.8. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Animals can be tamed, but can the tongue? No one truly brings his or her tongue into full submission.
As we ponder this fact, we should be careful not to take this verse out of context. It would be wrong to conclude, “James says no one can tame the tongue, so why even try? It is a futile waste of time.” Those who accept that argument should read the previous verses again. Although no one is able to keep his or her tongue perfectly controlled, we must make the effort since uncontrolled speech destroys. James’s word picture of deadly poison brings to mind Psalm 140:3: “[Violent men] have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips” (compare Romans 3:13).
| What Do You Think? What is the single most important thing you can do this week to tame your tongue better? Digging Deeper |
III. Image of God
(James 3:9–12)
A. Blessings and Curses (vv. 9, 10)
9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Throughout his letter, James is concerned with the divided hearts of his audience (James 1:8; lesson 9). A divided heart most clearly reveals itself in divided speech (see Lesson Context). Divided speech is heard when the tongue speaks blessing in the worship of God and then curses those made after the similitude of God (Genesis 1:26, 27).
Divided speech is shaped by the attitude of the speaker. As the speaker badmouths those who are created in God’s image, something negative is revealed about the speaker’s attitude toward God himself.
This point is so important that it bears stressing again from a slightly different angle: if the tongue is blessing God in worship one minute only to turn around and curse those made in God’s image in the next, then corrective action is called for. A corrective action of keeping silent will be a start but only a start; the deeper problem to solve is one of heart attitude.
Some students detect echoes of this problem in Israel’s deficient practices of worship as those were condemned by God: “This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me” (Isaiah 29:13).
Speaking with a Forked Tongue?
In 1855, the US government told the chief of the Nez Percé tribe that his people would be allowed to keep millions of acres of tribal lands in the Pacific Northwest. A treaty was signed. But a few years later, the government forced a new treaty on the tribe due to the discovery of gold on tribal land.
When the chief died, his son and successor fought to recover the land that had been promised earlier. Some of the Nez Percé were slaughtered; survivors were forced to live on a small fraction of their ancestral lands.
Historical events such as this provide the backdrop for movies of the “Old West” type, featuring Indians concluding that the white man “speaks with a forked tongue,” or variations of that phrase. Whether or not Native Americans ever actually said that, we speak with forked tongue when we say we revere God as our heavenly Father but then do harm in word or deed to our fellow humans, who are made in His image. How does our speech bear witness to our God for good or for ill?
—C. R. B.
10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
A modern illustration of this problem is inconsistent use of social media. Think of a hypothetical believer who posts positive messages of witness for Christ one minute, then turns around and posts personal attacks the next! (See the lesson Introduction.) The bottom line is that this double life is unacceptable to God. Words that flow from our hearts—whether uttered by mouth or typed by fingers—should be consistently holy.
B. Water and Fruit (vv. 11, 12)
11. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
The questions that James asks here and in the next verse are meant to stir reflection in the hearts of teachers and potential teachers. The questions are rhetorical, with answers obvious as they concern clear incompatibilities. Of course a fountain cannot produce both sweet water and bitter.
The analogy is impossible to miss: teachers in the church are called to speak consistently in truth and love. Those whose hearts are right will find it impossible to mix blessing and cursing.
12. Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
The produce mentioned are common to the agricultural economy of the day. James draws on this fact to craft more rhetorical questions, reinforcing the point just made (see Matthew 7:16).
Conclusion
A. Consider Your Words
Today’s lesson concerns the destructive power of the tongue. Specifically, it deals with the words spoken by those who were recognized as teachers in the first-century church (and perhaps those who aspired to that role). Their words were of special concern to James because they involved matters that have an eternal import. All of us can think of ways in which words spoken by teachers have had beneficial or damaging effects on the lives of their hearers. Words should be a source of spiritual growth and sustenance.
But how many of us have seen church splits that resulted from ill-advised words? How many of us have seen men and women leave the faith because of spiritually damaging utterances? These concerns lie at the heart of today’s text.
James’s description of the tongue may lead us to conclude that attempting to control it is hopeless. Admittedly, the tongue is extremely difficult to control, as we know all too well. All of us have said things that we came to regret.
What is more, the work of taming the tongue is a lifelong task. While today’s text directly addressed teachers, it calls on all Christians to examine themselves. Are we faithfully using our powers of speech daily? Do we speak words of truth and grace consistently at home, on the job, and in church? Are our critiques healing or destructive?
These are questions for everyone, no matter what position or stage of life. In effect, we are all teachers on some level, by our tongues as well as the examples we set.
B. Prayer
Lord God, as we come to see more clearly the destructive power of the tongue, we pray for strength to bridle and to restrain our tongues from all forms of evil speech. Transform our words so that they bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
The tongue must be controlled.
KID’S CORNER
The Signs, the Word, and the Spirit
Sunday, August 23, 2020
John 10:32-42
John 10:32-42
(John 10:32) Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?”
Jesus did not flee from His accusers; instead, Jesus confronted them with the evidence that showed He was the Messiah and the Son of God. Before their eyes in Jerusalem the religious leaders had questioned a man, who had been ill for 38 years, that Jesus healed. They also knew, had interrogated, and had cast out of the synagogue a man born blind that Jesus healed. When they persecuted Jesus earlier, in John 5:36, Jesus told them, “But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.” They had reports from many witnesses who saw Jesus perform miraculous healings throughout Galilee and Judea. Everyone knew that Jesus had gone about doing good works, and His good works could only have been done because the Father had empowered Him and sent Him as Jesus testified. Notice: Jesus did not say, “I have shown you many GREAT works to impress you.” Many people can do great works to impress others. King Herod did great and evil works. Only Jesus always did and does only GOOD works because He is the divine Son of God.
(John 10:33) 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.”
The Jewish leaders acknowledged that Jesus had done good works. Jesus’ good works could only be done by someone God had sent to them. And according to Old Testament prophecies, Jesus did the good works they expected the Messiah to do; for example, Jesus miraculously fed 5000 people with a few fish and loaves of bread (see John 6:1-15). Still, they would not believe in Jesus. Instead, they charged Jesus with blasphemy saying that He was only a human being who was making himself God. Jesus did not deny their charge against Him, because Jesus always distinguished himself from the Father, and Jesus knew who He was and He called himself the Son of God, which would make Him divine. The religious leaders could not understand the complexities of Jesus’ claims about himself. They were not His sheep. His sheep only understand more about Jesus as they follow Him as their Lord and Savior. Since Jesus was and is the divine Son of God, shown by His good works and words, Jesus was not guilty of blasphemy. Jesus was a human being, but more than a human being. Christian scholars acknowledge that Jesus is fully God and fully man.
(John 10:34) Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I SAID, YOU ARE GODS’?
Jesus referred these leaders to what the Bible teaches, to the Word of God written, as their absolute objective authority. In Psalm 82:6, we read, “I say, ‘You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you.’” Jesus wanted everyone to understand that everything He said and did was consistent with the Scriptures as the objective truth and the infallible standard for right belief and action. When Jesus quoted Psalm 82:6, He also applied the meaning to the leaders of the Jewish people and to the leaders who rejected Him. In Exodus 4:16, when God spoke to Moses (to whom the word of God came) about Aaron, the LORD said, “He indeed shall speak for you to the people; he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him.” In Exodus 7:1-2, we read, “The LORD said to Moses, ‘See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his land.” In the Bible, this use of “God” and “gods” is rare, but Jesus could speak of himself as God, as the true Messiah and Son of God. By quoting Psalm 82, Jesus could also give the religious leaders the warning message that Psalm 82 gives to all leaders among all the nations of the earth. In Psalm 82:2, God said, “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?” And the Psalm concludes, “I say, ‘You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince.’ Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you!” (Psalm 82: 6-8). The Psalm can also be applied to the heavenly council, such as the one we read about in chapter 1 in the Book of Job. Psalm 82 probably refers to assemblies of leadership in heaven or on earth, because the psalmist wants God to judge the earth and all the nations on earth. Notice: in Psalm 82:6, “gods” is in lowercase, which ultimately excludes the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the only three Persons who are the one true God.
(John 10:35) “If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),
Here, Jesus made clear that the “gods” He referred to were “those to whom the word of God came.” The word of God came to Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and other leaders of Israel. Jesus is showing the religious leaders and us that many truths in the Bible and the truths He came to share are and were beyond their and our immediate understanding. Jesus did something similar when He quoted Psalm 110:1 in Matthew 22:43-45, referring to himself: “He said to them, ‘How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet’”? If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’” The religious leaders could not answer this question, but in the power of the Holy Spirit the Apostle Peter understood and explained it in Acts 2: 32-35. In considering what Jesus taught about Psalm 82:6 and what the Bible teaches about “gods,” it is important for us to remember what the Bible says about us as human beings and who we are. In Genesis 1:27, we read, “So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Jesus always emphasized that the Scriptures could not be annulled or invalidated. The Word of God, the Bible, is true, absolute objective truth that is given to us by God and not a compilation of human opinions. Jesus referred these religious leaders (and us) back to the Bible as THE standard for truth, for our understanding of ultimate reality, for receiving God’s revelation, and for learning about the true nature and character of the true God and God’s love for us.
(John 10:36) 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’?
Jesus was one of those “to whom the word of God came.” In John 1:1-2 & 14, we read of Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. . . And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” Jesus told them that they could not justly accuse Him of blasphemy because of what the Bible taught and because the Father had sanctified (set Him apart for holy use) and sent Him into the world. Jesus is the Son of God in a way consistent with, but very distinct from, the “gods” that Jesus referred to in Psalm 82. Jesus used the verse in a way that showed leaders from God could be referred to in the Bible as “gods” if the word of God had come to them to be shared with others, but not as gods to be worshiped as the first of the Ten Commandments teaches and forbids in Exodus 20:3, “you shall have no other gods before me.” At the same time, religious and nonreligious leaders who were considered “gods,” but who were unfaithful leaders (as the leaders in Psalm 82 and the leaders who wanted to stone Jesus were) would come under the just judgment of God. As the true and only Son of God, Jesus rightly accepted and received the worship of those who believed Him.
(John 10:37) “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;
Having quoted the Scriptures, and probably leaving these leaders puzzled, Jesus returned to speaking about the works that He was doing. All Jesus’ works were GREAT works to those who experienced and saw them, but Jesus’ greatest work on earth was His creation of all that exists: “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people” (John 1:3-4). Jesus put the emphasis on His GOOD works. Jesus good works were life and light for all people. The works of God the Father and the Son of God are always GOOD works. Jesus challenged His listeners and us to evaluate the works He was doing. Did Jesus do any works that were not good works? The answer is, “No.” Jesus obviously did the great and good works of God; therefore, we have good and sufficient reasons to believe Him and all He taught about God and himself.
(John 10:38) 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.”
Jesus turned their attention to their refusal to believe Him; then, He challenged them to believe the works He was doing. They had to conclude based on all the evidence they had before them, including the people Jesus had healed and fed that Jesus was doing the works of God. Jesus never did anything inconsistent with a true work of God. As the beginning of true belief in Him, Jesus challenged them to believe the works so that they might know and understand that the Father and He worked together in perfect unity. The beginning of their believing Him might be the result of their first believing His works. Jesus challenged them to begin to understand what it meant for Him to say that He is God’s Son. Truly, in a way beyond our complete understanding, for it is even difficult to completely understand ourselves, Jesus said that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father. We try to understand this by saying that the Father and Jesus Christ are two persons and the one true God. Though no one except God completely understands what Jesus meant, Jesus’ sheep increasingly come to know the Father and the Son more fully as they pray to God, study the Scriptures, obey Jesus’ teachings, serve God, and worship God.
(John 10:39) Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.
At Jesus’ reply to them, the religious leaders tried to arrest Jesus again, but without going into details John simply says that Jesus “escaped from their hands.” In this way, Jesus proved to them what He told them in John 10:18, “No one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it [my life] up again. I have received this command from my Father.” It was not Jesus’ time or way to die, but Jesus did come to die in God’s way according to the Scriptures for the sins of the world. Jesus did not try to escape death.
(John 10:40) And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there.
Having completed His work in Jerusalem, Jesus returned to where John the Baptist had preached and baptized and where Jesus himself had been baptized by John. Jesus remained there and preached until He was called back to Jerusalem on a mission of mercy that we read of in John chapter 11. Beginning with John chapter 11, Jesus begins to teach His sheep more directly and the crowds and religious leaders only indirectly.
(John 10:41) Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.”
John the Baptist did no miracles, but he spoke the truth about the coming of the Messiah, the Lamb of God. Everything Jesus did fulfilled what John the Baptist had said that the Messiah would do. Jesus was the miracle that confirmed the truth of what John taught as he prepared the people to receive Jesus as Messiah. Therefore, the people had the truth in the Old Testament (especially the preaching of the prophets), the truth of John the Baptist’s message, and the truth of Jesus’ works and words as good and sufficient reasons to believe in Jesus and believe what He taught.
(John 10:42) Many believed in Him there.
John concluded this section of His gospel (before Jesus returned to Jerusalem where He would be crucified and rise from the dead) with the words that “many believed in Him.” They believed He was the Messiah, the Son of God, Lamb of God, and the Savior of the world as John’s Gospel taught. These believers stand in sharp contrast to the religious leaders.
The Signs, the Word, and the Spirit
Sunday, August 23, 2020
John 10:32-42
And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there (John 10:41-42—KJV). Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.” Many believed in Him there (John 10:41-42—NASB). Many came to Jesus, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there (John 10:41-42— NRSV).
John the Baptist did not need to perform signs to convince people to repent of their sins and prepare themselves for the coming of the Messiah. When asked if he was the Messiah, John quoted the Scriptures to explain his work. Though John did not perform signs or work miracles, God gave John one advantage. The Bible says John was filled with the Holy Spirit before he was born. John taught and did what the Holy Spirit led him to do and the Holy Spirit helped John’s listeners believe the Scriptures and his words. Jesus became the sign that John spoke the truth. As Jesus conducted His ministry, many people who had heard John preach realized that even though John performed no sign he accurately foretold the Messiah’s coming. Jesus did everything John said the Messiah would do. Jesus did perform signs that He was the Messiah, for Jesus fed thousands of people, healed the lame, restored sight to the blind, cast out demons, and raised the dead. In addition to His signs, Jesus gave people other reasons to believe Him. First, Jesus said He did good works. Others might do great works and deceive people, but Jesus only and always did good works and His works pointed to His unity with the Father. Second, Jesus pointed people to the Bible as the ultimate authoritative teaching about who He is. When Christians share their faith in Jesus, they appeal to the Bible as John and Jesus did, and the Holy Spirit within them helps people understand the Bible and believe in Jesus.
Thinking Further
The Signs, the Word, and the Spirit
Sunday, August 23, 2020
John 10:32-42
Name ___________________________________
- Why do you think Jesus spoke of doing good works instead of great works?
- What accusation did the religious leaders make against Jesus?
- In John 10:35, who did Jesus say were called “gods”? In your opinion, who were some of these people?
- What did Jesus say about the Bible (Scripture)? What does that mean today?
- Why did Jesus tell people to believe the works He did?
Discussion and Thinking Further
- Why do you think Jesus spoke of doing good works instead of great works? Many evil people do great works to impress people. Every good person can do good works and bear good fruit. Jesus only and always did good works. The fact that He did great good works made clear that He was sent from God and His great good works were consistent with His being the Son of God. If He were not the Son of God, claiming to be the Son of God would not have been a good work. Jesus proved He was and is the Son of God.
- What accusation did the religious leaders make against Jesus? They said He was only a man who was making himself God.
- In John 10:35, who did Jesus say were called “gods”? In your opinion, who were some of these people? “Those to whom the word of God came.” Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
- What did Jesus say about the Bible (Scripture)? What does that mean today? Scripture cannot be broken or made invalid. The Bible is the true Word of God written, the revelation of God that reveals absolute, objective truth.
- Why did Jesus tell people to believe the works He did? He knew that He was doing the good works of God, and if they would believe that He was doing the good works of God that could be a first step in their believing in Him and all He taught: thus they could receive Him as the Messiah and the Savior of the world.
Word Search
The Signs, the Word, and the Spirit
Sunday, August 23, 2020
John 10:32-42
Name _______________________________
H K D T E V A H E I R U D Z K
T W D N Q L F W D V S T G F S
H O E B A N A S X J E B X C W
U R I L F T R T M Y S I R S U
M K F A A J S U N U T I L I Y
A S I S T N X R S H P X P E L
N W T P H C P E E T N O S H B
P A C H E I J K U D C V D M D
V K N E R M T R M B N E S Z V
T G A M H X E V H Q A U C L N
C I S Y W V E N O T S L J M W
V B V O T R U E J Z G V B G O
A D N A Z N S G L M J O O K H
F K T Y Q B D X F A T O D W S
O S E S I Y G K M Y D Q X Q L
Good
Works
Shown
Father
Stone
Blasphemy
Human
God
Scripture
Sanctified
Son
Believe
Know
Understand
True
True and False Test
The Signs, the Word, and the Spirit
Sunday, August 23, 2020
John 10:32-42
Name ________________________________
Circle the True or False answers. Correct the False statements by restating them.
- Jesus said that He had shown people many great works so they should believe in Him. True or False
- Jesus asked the religious leaders to tell Him the good work for which they wanted to stone Him. True or False
- The religious leaders charged Jesus with blasphemy saying He was making himself God. True or False
- Jesus denied the false accusations of the religious leaders and said He was only a human being. True or False
- Jesus said that the Scripture taught that those to whom the word of God came were called “gods.” True or False
- Because the Bible is true, it can be annulled or invalidated. True or False
- The Father sanctified Jesus and sent Him into the world. True or False
- Jesus refused to tell the religious leaders that He was the Son of God. True or False
- Jesus told people to believe the works He was doing. True or False
- People need to know and understand that the Father is in Jesus and Jesus is in the Father. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
Prayer
Lord God, as we come to see more clearly the destructive power of the tongue, we pray for strength to bridle and to restrain our tongues from all forms of evil speech. Transform our words so that they bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.