If you want a deeper view of this chapter, turn and read Psalm 23 first. As you likely already know, Psalm 23 is King David's Psalm that begins, "The Lord is my shepherd..." read it first and it may give you a deeper context for these words of Jesus.
Jesus begins this teaching by telling all who are listening that any who come into the sheepfold by any other way are thieves and bandits. He tells us that his sheep know his voice and follow him, and they will not follow any other. I have seen this demonstrated with a flock of sheep and it is fascinating to see. I stood and called and called those sheep, and they didn't twitch, the owner simply spoke to the sheep and they came running! Lord, I want to be like these sheep - I want to know your voice and come only to you!
Next Jesus tells the crowds that he is the gate to the sheep fold. In the wilderness a shepherd would often find a place where he could enclose his sheep with just a 3 or 4 foot opening. The shepherd would sleep in that opening, literally becoming the gate for the sheepfold. What great comfort to know Jesus places himself at the entry way into my life and nothing can come or go without coming or going through him - that is of course if I remain in his fold.
We are told in vs 22 that it is the Feast of Dedication, a feast better known to us now as Hanukkah. Jesus is again in Jerusalem and the Jewish leaders confront him and demand that he tell them clearly if he is the Messiah. Jesus tells them again, that he is indeed the Messiah. This is different than what we found in Mark with Mark's emphasis on the "secret Messiah". Jesus answer infuriates the Jews and they take up stones to kill him. Jesus escapes from their hands across the Jordan and many come and put their faith in him.
We are coming to the end of Jesus earthly ministry in John. Soon we will enter John's extended treatment of the passion of Christ and in 2 weeks we will be celebrating resurrection! Next week please continue to read chapters 11 - 15 in John's Gospel. Also, don't forget to change your clock Saturday night so you make it to church on time!
About Me
- Pastor Bill
- I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a happy husband, father and grandfather!
5 comments:
Pastor Bill, in verse 16 Jesus talks of another fold of sheep or other sheep, depending on translation,that He will bring together to make as one. My first impression of this would be the bringing together of Jews and Gentiles alike to become one. But the more I study this, could it be the righteous believers who died under the "Law" and then those who are saved by grace from the belief that Jesus died for our sins?
Hi Lynn,
It's hard to get into John's mind to figure out what he meant, and then to figure out what Holy Spirit intended this to say. In John 11:52 John talksa bout the dispersed children of Israel that would also be saved. Maybe John meant the captives in sheol.
I have always read it as the inclusion of the Gentiles.
Bill
I found myself chuckling out loud as I read this passage - I could just picture all the Jewish leaders runnnig around with torn clothing and bruised egos from all the discussions with Jesus.
Another passage is floating in my head...Greater glory hath no man that he should lay down his life for a friend...
Thank you Jesus!!
Hoo Rah.
I had to look up the Greek for vs. 36 - where Jesus says God sanctified him. The word means "to make sacred" literally. I wonder exactly what is meant here.
My absolute favorite verse in the bible is John 10:10. Abundant life - and yet we settle for something that is so much less.
Would a shepherd in Jesus' day actually give his life for the sheep? Or is it just Jesus the Good Shepherd who does this?
What text is Jesus referencing in the "I said you are gods" part? Not ringing a bell....
The power to lay down our life. I've been thinking about power and ambition a lot lately - how unwilling we are within the church to admit what a hold our power and ambition has over us. I've been trying to be more honest with myself about that - and wondering when the real power I have is actually in laying that power down.
Another awesome chapter, much easier to understand in context. In today's terms, we spend so much of our lives protecting our belongings, our money, our homes. We have insurance, lock and key, security systems, guards, etc., just to make sure our "stuff" is OK. That is how the shepherds felt about their sheep, since the sheep were often times most of what they were worth! Jesus is really all this for us, if we choose to accept him. What an incredible deal. The way that we protect "stuff," God protects us so much more.
We often use John 10:10 as an introductory verse for high school kids at the beginning of Young Life each year. They seem to be pretty receptive to the fact that Jesus has come so that they may have life to the full - who wouldn't want full life, right?
He's got it, we can have it. Let's take it!
God bless all,
Marshall
Post a Comment