Which Old Testament prophecies connect to Jesus' works in John 10:38? Setting the Scene (John 10:38) “ ‘But if I am doing them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.’ ” Why Jesus Points to His Works • His miracles are not crowd-pleasers; they authenticate His claim to oneness with the Father. • Every sign echoes promises God had already placed in Scripture about what the Messiah would do when He arrived. Key Old Testament Prophecies Mirrored in Jesus’ Works • Isaiah 35:5-6 – Sight, hearing, mobility, speech restored – “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy…” – Fulfilled when Jesus gives sight to the man born blind (John 9), enables the lame to walk (John 5:1-9), and loosens the mute tongue (Matthew 9:32-33). • Isaiah 61:1-2 – Spirit-anointed Servant who heals and liberates – “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me… to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives…” – In John Jesus frees people from sin’s bondage (John 8:36) and from Satan’s grip (John 10:10). • Isaiah 42:6-7 – Light to the nations, opening blind eyes – “I will appoint You as a covenant for the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes of the blind…” – Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) and proves it by opening blind eyes (John 9:5-7). • Psalm 146:8 – “The LORD opens the eyes of the blind.” – A Psalm of Yahweh’s unique works; Jesus does the same, demonstrating Yahweh is in Him. • Ezekiel 34:11-16 – God Himself shepherds His flock, seeks the lost, binds the injured – Jesus calls Himself “the good shepherd” (John 10:11) and enacts the Ezekiel promise by protecting, feeding, and ultimately laying down His life for the sheep. • Deuteronomy 18:15-18 – The Prophet like Moses validated by God’s words and deeds – As Moses authenticated his call with signs (Exodus 4:1-9), Jesus’ signs certify He is that promised Prophet (John 6:14; Acts 3:22-24). • Isaiah 9:1-2 – Light dawning on those walking in darkness – Jesus ministers in Galilee of the Gentiles (John 2:1-11; 4:46-54) and brings spiritual dawn. • Isaiah 26:19 – “Your dead will live; their bodies will rise.” – Jesus raises Lazarus (John 11:38-44), previewing bodily resurrection. • Zechariah 9:16 – The LORD saves His flock “as the jewels of a crown.” – Each miracle showcases divine care, pointing to ultimate salvation accomplished at the cross. Putting It Together The works Jesus appeals to in John 10:38 were not random acts of power. They were the very deeds Scripture said God’s Messiah would perform—works of healing, liberation, shepherding, and resurrection. By doing them openly, Jesus lets Scripture itself testify that “the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” |
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