Sunday 03:25:12

John 10:1-6 vv. 1-2 People are the sheep. There is a pen where they are kept to keep them from wandering and protect them from wild animals. Shepherds would often sleep across the doorway of the pen to protect the sheep. There are thieves and robbers who try to sneak in vs. the shepherd who goes in the gate. Thieves are robbers – false shepherds, false prophets, including the Pharisees and Chief Priests. vv. 3-6 “The sheep listen to his voice.” – There would be many flocks kept together. The sheep would respond to their shepherd’s voice and go with him. Jesus would build a new community of people who would be his. They will respond to his voice. They respond when he calls. Do you know his voice? Have you heard his call? The way to know, you respond. “He calls his own sheep by name.”He knows his sheep by name. More important than you knowing God; He knows you. He calls you by name. John 10:7-10 v. 7 “I am the gate” There was a gate on the pens that open to allow the sheep to go out into pasture. Jesus is the only gate. (John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”) v. 8-9 Whoever enters through me will be saved. The gate allows the sheep to pass between safety in the pens and supply for their needs in the pasture. Jesus gives his people safety and supply for their needs. v. 10 The thief is out for their own interests – true of the Pharisees. They were afraid Jesus would stir up the crowds and cause the Romans to take away their power to rule – one of the reasons they plotted to kill Jesus. They wanted to keep their power, even if they had to kill to do it. “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.” Eternal life has always existed in Jesus Christ. John 1:4 “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” He gives eternal life to his sheep – not just ever-lasting life, but new life, life as a new creation, life with a restored relationship with God, life not under condemnation for our sin, life lived in the righteousness of Jesus, life lived in the favor of God, life being restored to the image of God, life forever in the presence of our creator, life one day to be fully his, fully restored, fully knowing God. That’s eternal life. John 10:11-13 v. 11 “I am the good shepherd” Jesus is our shepherd. God had promised through Ezekiel to send a shepherd for his people. Ezekiel 34:23 “I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.” Jesus is the one, promised 600 years before. He is the promised shepherd, sent by God to care for and lead his people. In other parts of the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the “great shepherd” (Heb. 13:20) and “the chief Shepherd” (1 Pet. 5:4); and Rev. 7:17 says that “the Lamb . . . will be their shepherd.” “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” A shepherd might risk his life, but fully expected to live. Jesus would lay down his life. vv. 12-13 The hired hand – the Pharisees have self-interest, no real interest in the sheep. John 10:14-21 v. 14-15 “I know my sheep and my sheep know me - as the Father knows me. v. 16 “other sheep” you and I, united with Jewish believers in one flock, under our one shepherd. v. 17 “The Father loves me b/c I lay down my life.” Jesus’ sacrificing himself is out of loving obedience to the Father, reveals the love b/n the Father and the Son. v. 18 “to take it up again.” Like no one else in history, Jesus said, “I have the power to die and power to live again.” vv. 19-20 Jesus’ words were true. His miracles proved his power and authority. Jesus is your shepherd. He will lead you. He will provide for you. He laid down his life for you so you could have eternal life. Take time to meditate on that this week. Jesus, you are my shepherd. Lord, show me what you gave me when you died to give me eternal life.