Message (05/25/08)

John 10:10
Beyond this Wall!

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Introduction: There’re many barriers/walls in our life that hinder us from seeing the truth of God’s best for our lives. So, we admit that we have ear but not hear and we have eye but not see. Out of many, John is pointing out some hindrances that we need to take off from our lives in the section between Ch. 9 and 12. In brief, they are unforgettable past memory, very deceptive present realities, attractive future, and momentary impressions of life.

Unforgettable Past Memory (9:1-41): In the beginning of Ch. 9, we see a story of a man born blind. The problem with many, supposed to help him, was the problem with the past memory about this man and his family (v. 2). Breaking through this wall, in contrast, Jesus, seeing this man healed by God’s power right away, proclaimed that this be for God’s glory instead (v. 3). However, to this public healing, many people were still stagnant to believe. The reason is that they were so much tied up by the tradition of the past that say not to lift even a small log of wood on Sabbath (vv. 13-16). This is the call to see beyond that past.

Deceptive Present Realities (10:1-42): Ch. 10 is one of the most beautiful chapters of John, parallel to Psalms 23. However, in the midst, there’re very negative expressions such as to “stone” and “seize” Jesus (vv. 31, 39). In fact, this “gate” appears not an easy entrance. It’s even a narrow gate (cf., Matt. 7:13; Luke 13:24). However, John wants us to see beyond the present narrow appearance of this doorway as Jesus himself promised a life of pasture inside (v. 9). Yes, sometime our present experiences are also deceptive. Therefore, we’d rather concentrate on what God has in store for us beyond our present hardships.

Attractive Far Future (11:1-57): Ch. 11 is basically about the resurrection of Lazarus. The problem that John depicts here is with Mary and Martha themselves. They were so much occupied with the hope of resurrection that they confined it only in the remote future (vv. 23-24). In this way, even this very attractive future can also become another hindrance not to enjoy God’s best in our life. The call of Jesus here was for the recent future (‘right now’, vv. 40-42). While waiting for the fullness of God’s blessing in the Last day, let us also see beyond that distant future, believing that God can also do something for us here right now.

Momentary Impressions of Life (12:1-50): To give a pause, Ch. 12 wraps up the theme with the stories of pouring of perfume, triumphal entry to Jerusalem, and related teachings of Jesus. This small section also reflectively teaches us that things in life, though very impressive and good at glance, are also deceptive sometime (cf., “giving to poor” in v. 5, “favor of the multitude” in vv. 12, 42). Therefore, John invites us with the very words of Jesus to see beyond those impressive things of life but choose God’s best in life (v. 24).

This is the call of John today to look at beyond our own walls until clearly see the deeper truth that would always whisper saying, “Don’t worry! God is in control of everything, God has something good in store for us in Jesus Christ, God is ever close to hear our prayer, and God has some better reasons to let us go through this tricky passage of life sometime.” So, in any and every situation, let us not forget John 10:10 after all.