The Jews circled Jesus like a pack of wolves. "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." But this wasn't an honest question.
Scripture Focus: John 10:24-26
Jesus responds: "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me."
There it is. Crystal clear. "You do not believe."
They're blaming their unbelief on God—"You're keeping us in suspense!" But is there really any suspense at this point? This is a man who has fed thousands, walked on water, cleansed lepers, healed paralytics. But unbelief, as it always does, finds a reason to remain hardened.
They want to shift the blame of their unbelief to God rather than looking at the man in the mirror.
Here's the truth of Scripture: Every single person you've ever met has a responsibility to believe in Jesus Christ. John 3:16 says "whoever believes." John 5:40 says "yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." John 6:40 says "everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life."
God makes an appeal. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says we are ambassadors for Christ, and through us God makes His appeal: "Be reconciled to God." He uses human instruments to plead with sinners. The idea of God up in glory going "I don't care, ball's in their court" is so far divorced from the God of the Bible. He desires all to come to repentance.
Matthew 11:28—"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." What kind of rest? Rest for your soul. Rest from the unrivaled fatigue of attempting to earn your way to God. "I'll give you what you're chasing and can never find—rest for your soul."
This is an undeniable reality in Scripture: People end up in hell not because God predetermined them to go there, but because they refuse to come to Jesus. They refuse the offer of life from Jesus Christ.
Listen—you are responsible for what you do with Jesus. Not your parents. Not your pastor. Not your circumstances. You. The gospel offer is available for all who hear it and respond in faith and repentance. The responsibility for believing in Jesus always falls on the sinner and never on God.
You might have a hundred excuses. "I need more evidence." "I need more time." "I need to understand more." "I need my life to be in order first." But Jesus says the problem isn't lack of evidence—it's unwillingness to believe.
The question isn't "Does God need to do more?" The question is "Will you respond to what He's already done?"
1. What excuses have you been using for not fully surrendering to Christ? Are they legitimate reasons or just ways of shifting blame?
2. If you claim to be a Christian, are there areas of your life where you're refusing to believe God's Word and submit to His authority?
3. Who in your life needs to hear the gospel? Are you making the appeal on behalf of Christ, or are you staying silent?
Stay dialed in