What Jesus Did! 'Equal with God?' — John 10:30-33

Saturday, July 23, 2022

[Jesus continued his response to the people questioning him at the Temple,] "The Father and I are one."

Once again the people picked up stones to kill him. Jesus said, "At my Father's direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?"

They replied, "We're stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God."

— John 10:30-33 NLT

Key Thought

They're getting the message! Jesus' "I AM" statements, his great deeds, and his self-identification as God's Son were understood by Jesus' opponents. He was claiming to be God in human flesh, God among humans, God with us. They had to either receive him or reject him. They had to obey him or oppose him. They had to believe him or berate him. As so often happens, Jesus' words and actions in John make clear that there can be no middle ground. The same is still true for us. Jesus must be our Lord, or he is nothing to us at all. He comes and challenges us to a radical faith in him.

Today's Prayer

Give me courage, great God and Father, to live with Jesus as my Lord. Keep me from lukewarm faith and shallow discipleship. Do what it takes to fan into flame the faith I have in Jesus and make it burn brightly for your glory and for the sake of the Gospel. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 1:1-5
  • Colossians 1:15-17
  • Titus 2:13

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Illustration

Illustration of John 10:30-33 NLT — "We're stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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