The question posed by the Jews to Jesus was and is THE question of the ages; it was straightforward and direct. “Who are you?” (John 8.25). This would not be the last time the question was asked as we will see at the end of today’s message. It was also implied at other times during the ministry of Jesus. The important thing is not so much in what Jesus answered, but how He answered. This will be our focus!
Anyone can make a claim. I could claim to be Napoleon. Or, I could claim to have discovered a cure for cancer. Claims are cheap! However, even on occasions of much lesser importance, mere claims are not adequate. If I wish to cash a check, or charge a moderately expensive item to a charge card, or pick up a pair of tickets at the will call window, chances are better than good that I will be asked to prove my identity; a mere claim will not suffice.
It stands to reason if proof of identity is required in such mundane matters as charge cards and theater tickets, proof of identity in spiritual matters would be all the more important. After all, in the first case a few dollars might be at risk while in the latter, one’s eternal soul is at risk. I would suggest that the question posed to Jesus was one that demanded more than a mere claim; it was one which required a display of credentials. Who was He? Claims alone were not adequate!
A few months later, “…the Jews surrounded Him [Jesus] and said to Him, ‘How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’” (John 10.24). Whether these were the same people or not, we do not know. However, we do know that they were of the same contentious spirit. A portion of Jesus’ answer is appropriate for any occasion; here it is: “Do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.’” (John 10.36-38).
Condensing Jesus’ response we come away with this: “If I do the works of God, then believe that I am the Son of God.” Or to put it another way, “Check My credentials and see whether or not they prove My claims!” Jesus knew well that words alone (claims) would not suffice; His identity had to be declared through the works that He did. In order to examine His credentials, all a person had to do was follow His ministry and check out the hundreds and thousands of miracles that were done as He preached and taught. Lepers were cleansed; ask any one of them. Blind men had their sight restored; they certainly could testify of His works. The lame and infirmed that were brought to Him were restored every wit whole; their word certainly counted for something. Returning to the case in John 8, and the question Jesus was asked (Who are you?), He simply said, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.” His claims were backed up by His demonstrations and there was no more need for talk!
When Saul of Tarsus was confronted by a blinding light and the mystery voice on the road to Damascus, he asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The response came back, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9.5). This response coupled with the evidence that already existed was adequate to convince arguably the most skeptical person to have ever lived that the claims of Jesus were real; He was Messiah! Based on the evidence, Saul became a believer and then a tireless evangelist who spread the good news everywhere he went! The evidence is adequate to allow anyone to draw the same conclusion. “Who are You?” Let His works speak and that will be quite enough!
Questions:
1. Why are words alone not adequate proof of spiritual claims?
2. What proofs did Jesus offer beyond the words which He spoke?
3. What did Jesus mean when He said, “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me”?
4. Is it wrong to ask for evidence to support spiritual truths? Why or why not?