Tell Us Plainly

The Jews came to Christ and said, If you are Jesus the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered in a rather surprising way. Was the problem in the lack of Jesus' plain speaking, or were their hearts unable to hear the clear message of Christ?

19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
24 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.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
(John 10:19-25, King James Version)

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.

What would it have taken to convince the Jewish leaders that Jesus was the Christ? Nothing! Think about that! Jesus knew their hearts; he could read their stubborn refusal to believe that He was indeed Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and the Son of God.

We need to take a moment and think about that. Is it possible for us to convince everyone, if we just find the right means to do it, that Jesus Christ is the Savior? That very belief often causes us to sidetrack our ministries to make them more compatible with the desires of the people.

There is nothing wrong with that as long as the Word of God is not compromised. It is the Word of God which pierces the hearts of men and convicts the souls. Does that mean there is no hope for some people?

We are not Jesus; we cannot read the hearts and souls of others. Our commission from the Lord is to go to the ends of the earth and preach the Gospel, calling men to Christ. We do that in many ways. Faithful churches spread the Gospel in their localities; missionaries go to the ends of the earth to proclaim Christ to those who may have not heard the Gospel.

What about those of us who have not been called as pastors or missionaries? Our call is the same! No, we do not need to stand on the street corner proclaiming Christ. Rather, we need to exemplify Christ in everything we say, in everything we think, and in everything we do.

People everywhere--perhaps even our own neighbors--are asking the same question. Is there no hope for us? Tell us plainly.

Pray, today, that the love of God would so fill your heart and life that God's message would shine through you. Then, when they say, "Tell us why you love others so much." Tell them!

Remember, that is our true purpose for being here!

Next: Sheep of Jesus - John 10:26-31