John 10:22-42 | What's a lesson for the original audience?

There is an essential theme that flows throughout the entirety of this section. In fact, it is the same theme that has been there throughout the whole last 10 chapters. Did you catch it?

Believe.

This same theme continues to play out in John's narrative. Those that belong to Jesus believe upon Him. You will be of His flock if you believe. There is not a load of works attached to that statement. It is simple belief. And the reward of that belief is incredible.

I do find it funny how our modern theology struggles with the idea of reward theology. It appears to be extremely prominent throughout Scripture. Eternal life, never perishing, not being stolen... these are all motivators for why someone ought to believe in Jesus. Now absolutely in the maturity of faith, one realizes that all of those things are the case because of the greatness and majesty of who the Lord is. Nevertheless, Jesus does not withhold these factors as motivation for belief.

Jesus emphasizes a different view on how to validate who He is. Do not simply take His word for it. Do not just believe on Him because He said to. Believe upon His works. His works will testify of who He is. If you believe in His works, the inevitable conclusion is that He and the Father are One.

The lesson, then, is clear: believe.

What lesson are you seeing for the original audience?