John 10:24-39 Then came the Jews round about him, and said to him, How long do you make us to doubt? If you be the Christ, tell us plainly.… I. IT DOES NOT LACK EVIDENCE (vers. 24, 25). 1. Christ's works were such as no mere man had ever performed or could ever accomplish — productions of Divine power, expressions of Divine benevolence. 2. If these in His day were sufficient evidence, how much more His moral works in Christendom since. For eighteen centuries they have been multiplying. To sceptics who say, How long are we to be held in doubt? we answer, If you are sincere in your inquiries, you need not be held in suspense a moment longer. II. IT LACKS SYMPATHY WITH TRUTH (vers. 26, 27). This, and not lack of evidence, is the cause of scepticism. The Jew's sympathy was with the formulae and conventionalities of religion and not with the truth. The wish is evermore father of the thought. Men are atheists because they do not "like to retain" God in their thoughts — anti-Christians because they do not like Christ. He is too pure, too honest. Are men responsible for this lack of sympathy? As well ask, Are men responsible for being truthful, just, virtuous? Conscience is bound to answer in the affirmative. III. IT EXPOSES TO ENORMOUS LOSS (ver. 23). This implies — 1. That they, the sceptics, would not have eternal life — goodness, freedom, perfection, joy — that the absence of which meant to "perish." 2. That they would not have eternal security. His sheep would be safe in His and the Father's hands from ruin and misery. But those who were not His sheep would be in a perilous condition.Conclusion: See here — 1. How hypocritical is scepticism. They professed to be in search of truth, whereas they only wanted a pretext to destroy truth. 2. How irrational is scepticism. It refuses to accept the most overwhelming evidence in favour of truth — the mighty and ever multiplying works of Christ. 3. How immoral is scepticism. It springs from the state of the heart — destitution of sympathy with Christ. 4. How egregiously foolish is scepticism. It risks eternal life and security. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. |
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