17
"The reason my Father loves me is that I give up my life. But I will take it back again.
18
No one takes it from me. I give it up myself. I have the authority to give it up. And I have the authority to take it back again. I received this command from my Father."
19
After Jesus spoke these words, the Jews again could not agree with each other.
20
Many of them said, "He is controlled by a demon. He has gone crazy! Why should we listen to him?"
21
But others said, "A person controlled by a demon does not say things like this. Can a demon open the eyes of someone who is blind?"
The Jews Do Not Believe
22 Then came the Feast of Hanukkah at Jerusalem. It was winter.
23
Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Porch.
24
The Jews gathered around him. They said, "How long will you keep us waiting? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25
Jesus answered, "I did tell you. But you do not believe. The kinds of things I do in my Father's name speak for me.
26
But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep.
27
"My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.