John 11:1-10 - News about Lazarus

John 11:1-10

1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”

Message: News about Lazarus

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 10 is a discussion Jesus gives that He is the good shepherd. And He lays down His life for sheep. And Jesus does this, laying down His life, on the authority of the Father. Jesus recognizes here that some are not His sheep and will not hear His voice. As Jesus speaks further He proclaims that He and the Father are of the same essence, are One, and in response to this the Jews pick up stones to stone Him. Jesus continues to defend that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father. Chapter 10 ends with Jesus leaving Jerusalem, going beyond the Jordan and as He did many believed in Him there. 

Now in Chapter 11 Jesus finds out from Mary and Martha that Lazarus is sick. And He will go back to the area that He came from, Bethany which is only 2 miles from Jerusalem. The disciples are concerned for his safety. But Jesus responds with words about hours in the day to basically say, that He is here now on this earth and He wants to be doing His best for people now. 

This is an interesting passage and maybe I don't see a whole lot of application here, but still I learn about Jesus and His mission and what He values in this world, reminding me of what I need to value in this world - people and being committed to them. 

Also in verse 4 I see a common theme of a miracle that Jesus will do in raising Lazarus and while Lazarus will eventually die again (I would think) the intent of this miracle is "for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it." Obviously, people get helped with miracles but the end result of this is that these acts will glorify God. 

Also, Jesus mentions 12 hours in a day, as in 12 hours to do walking, 12 hours to do work. In the USA we have instead shifted to an 8 hour work day, but it reminds me possibly that my days need to be about work and doing work and not simply waiting and relaxing. There is time for this and God provides team each day for this, but I also need to be about work and doing my best with the time He has given me. 

Summary: Jesus leaves Jerusalem, but will return to nearby Bethany after hearing that Lazarus is sick. 

Promise: God’s timing is not our timing, and His timing is always perfect.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the messages that I continue to study and read about in this Gospel of John. Thank you for giving John these words to say, that I might hear them, learn more about You and How you work and then how I am to conduct myself in these days. You are to be always glorified God. I think you for the many miracles you have done in my life - simply providing me great parents, a wonderful wife, great children, a great place to work and live and joy for each day. It all is under the umbrella of grace and provides fulfillment I don't deserve. But I thank you for being so gracious to me and pray that You would help me be a better ambassador for you in this new year. Give me opportunities to speak to more people. Help me to be faithful in this way. Bring all the glory to You God. Watch over my children - train them in You. Save my father. Rescue him. Help me to accept always what You provide. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 10:31-42 - Charges of Blasphemy Refuted

John 10:31-42

31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” 39 Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.

40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. 41 Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.” 42 Many believed in Him there.

Message: Charges of Blasphemy Refuted

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: After Jesus says in 10:30, "I and the Father are one" these Jews immediately pick up stones to stone Him for they recognize that the words of Jesus are that He is making Himself equal to God and they believe this to be blasphemy. Jesus then responds to them speaking further about himself being the Son of God. The Jews do not respond favorably and want to seize him, but he eludes their grasp. Chapter 10 then concludes that Jesus has left to go beyond the Jordan to the place where John had first been baptizing. And many believed in Him there. 

Deuteronomy 13:1-5 is a tough passage for it says that false prophets shall be put to death or executed. It speaks of people coming and asking you to serve other gods that you do not know. I think this could also mean people who ascribe to God ways about Him that are not true, thus they fashion God into their own image rather than accepting Him for Who He is. Perhaps at this time, this is what the Jews were doing, though they were simply at that moment trying to seize Him but they thought Jesus was making Him out to be equal with God. 

Jesus states that He is the Son of God and that the works that He is doing support the idea that the Father is in Him and He in the Father. I was speaking to a Muslim man a couple of weeks ago that said no where does it say that Jesus states He is God and yet these words mention that He and the Father are one and then the Jews of the day go to stone Him and He comes back that they need to look at the work that He does and they will see that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father. I wish I would have responded with these words at the time. 

Believers can state that they are in God and God in them. John 3:21, "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” Romans 8:9 - "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him." These words are different though from Jesus saying in response to him and the father being One that He is basically of the same essence of God. Jesus is still responding to the question of who He is? For the other writings are speaking of practicing our faith and that as we practice we can be in Christ as doing the work of Christ. This is different from what Jesus said when he was stating that His works will testify that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father. 

Tabletalk says, "If Scripture can call men gods who are in reality not divine, how much more is it right to refer to the One who is God as the Lord and Creator of all?" This is to explain how Jesus responds initially to being confronted about blasphemy. Jesus responds by first saying that in scripture, going back to Psalm 82:6 where it says, "I said, “You are gods, and all of you are sons of the Most High."  

Hmm. I don't understand that word from Ligonier at the moment and the referencew to Psalm 82 seems still to be confusing. So in trying to understand Psalm 82 a little more, My Open Bible says Psalm 82 is "Rebuke of Israel's Unjust Judges." I notice in the NIV and KJV the reading is a little different as verse 1 of Psalm 82 says, "God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”." So NIV and KJV says among the "gods" instead of NASB saying "in the midst of the rulers." So rulers in this passage are gods. Verse 1 - God takes a stand and judges even the rulers, even the gods. Both are elohim, but the particles are different. One means God the most high and the other a man, probably what rulers were sometimes called in that day. So these judges, while all ordained by God, are not doing what they are supposed to be doing as judges. Verse 2 - they judge unjustly. Verse 2 - they show partiality to the wicked. And yet they in verse 3, vindicate or act harshly toward the weak and fatherless. Verse 4 God says they need to "Rescue the week and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked." So these rulers which are also called gods are not acting correctly. As such, these rulers or gods are actually instruments of God. The Word of the Lord comes to these judges, thus they are called sons of Elyon. As such, for Jesus to call Himself the Son of God is not blasphemy. 

Summary: The Jews sought to stone Jesus for speaking a statement of blasphemy but Jesus states God can name him the Son of God, even men from Psalm 82 held this distinction, but Jesus is God incarnate. 

Promise: Christ possesses divine authority inherently according to His divine nature. 

Prayer: Lord, it is a joy to read and study your word, though it takes me time sometimes to understand it. Continue to provide me understanding of Your word here. Thank you for the clarity of Your word in showing that you a mission that many don't understand, but we stand by You and trust in You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 10:30 - The Perfect unity of the Father and the Son

John 10:30

"I and the Father are one.”

Message: The Perfect unity of the Father and the Son

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: As I have been studying and as I have been reading Jesus' words that He is speaking to those he interacts with, namely those who are questioning Him, He puts forth ideas but while He does speak those ideas He does it from the foundation that the Father has called Him. 

John 5:19 - Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.

John 5:21 - For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.

John 5:26 - 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;

John 5:30 - I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 

John 5:36 - the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.

John 6:29 - "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." 

John 6:32, 35 - Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, 

John 6:38 - I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

John 6:40 - For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life;

John 6:44 - No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him

John 6:46 - Not that any man has seen the Father, except the One who is from God, He has seen the Father.

John 6:51 - I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever

John 6:57 - As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father

John 6:65 - no one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father.

John 7:28-29 - He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. I know Him; because I am from Him, and He sent Me.

John 7:33-34 - Jesus therefore said, "For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me. You shall seek Me, and shall not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come."

John 8:19 - Jesus answered, "You know neither Me, nor my Father, if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.

John 8:23 - And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.

John 8:26 - He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him; these I speak to the world."

John 8:29 - He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.

John 8:42 - If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on my own initiative, but He sent Me. 

John 8:54 - If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God'

John 8:55 - I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I shall be a liar like you, but I do know Him, and keep His word

John 8:58 - Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”

John 10:14-15 - I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father

John 10:18 - This commandment I received from My Father.

John 10:25 - I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 

All of these words that Jesus has been speaking are not so different from him now saying, I and the Father are one. Everything he does is from the Father and the Father and He act in a similar way. There is unity in purpose. 

The question posed to Jesus in the previous words is who Jesus is exactly. And specifically they are talking of His power because that is what Jesus has been talking about. His power to lay down His own life and raise it up again, to do the works. Jesus is claiming omnipotence, to be of the same power. 

And then following this is the reaction of the Jews - to stone Him. The Father and the Son have the same power. 

It is no surprise that Muslims do not accept the teaching of this book at all and do not believe it is authoritative. Actually, they can't and still have their religion. They must take a position of excluding it. 

Summary: Jesus has responded previously that only the Sheep here his voice but in further response to them asking who He is, He states He and the Father are One, of the same essence. 

Promise: The full unity in mission and essence of the Father and the Son guarantees the salvation of God’s people.

Prayer: God, your words are rich. Thank you for revealing yourself Jesus/God the way You have in these words and providing the clear understanding of who You are and the mission that You have been on. You are Savior. You are Lord. You are Light. You are I Am. There is salvation only in You Jesus. Keep my words consistent with who You are. Thank you for these truths and the joy of studying them. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 10:22-29 - Safe in the Hand of God

John 10:22-29

22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. 24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Message: Safe in the Hand of God

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: From the previous passage there was a division among those Jews listening to Jesus with many thinking that Jesus had a demon in Him. Why? Because of what He was proclaiming. That He lays down His life for His sheep (v.11). That the Father knows Him (v. 15) and that in Himself people will be saved (v. 9). And that beyond Israel, he adds the Gentiles as well to the fold of belonging to Him (v. 16). And He will die and be resurrected (v. 17). All this is based upon His authority (v. 18). 

Jesus had entered Jerusalem in chapter 7 following the request of his brother though he did it in His own way. That time was the Feast of the Booths in September/October time frame. Now it is the time of the Feast of Dedication taking place in Jerusalem (v. 22). 

The Feast of Dedication was also called the Feast of Maccabees and now is called Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights. The Maccabees successfully revolted against Antiochus IV Epiphanes (ruled the Seleucid Empire (encompass modern-day Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon) from 175 BC until his death in 164 BC). The Maccabean revolt occurred from 167 BC to 160 BC. The Seleucids were trying to take control of Judea. Jewish practices were banned, Jerusalem was placed under direct Seleucid control, and the Second Temple in Jerusalem was made the site of a syncretic Pagan-Jewish cult. According to the Talmud, the Temple was purified and the wicks of the menorah miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough sacred oil for one day's lighting. Thus, this is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple. 

Jesus is walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. This portico is said to have been on the east side of the Temple, and to have been a relic of the original building of Solomon which had survived all destructions and restorations. And the Jews that have probably been a part of the division (v. 19) encircle him and question Him as to who He really is. Some have said he was a demon (v. 20) but others didn't think He could be demon possessed (v. 21). They want to know if He is the Christ. 

The question is rather preposterous. Jesus continues to state clearly He is from the Father and He is the Son of God. While Jesus does not say "I am the Christ" He has been speaking of who He is and that He is the Son of God. 

John 5:19 - Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner."

John 7:37 - Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink."

John 7:38 - “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

John 8:12 - Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 8:36 - “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."

John 8:56 - "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

John 10:1 - “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber." 

Matthew Poole (1624–1679) in his commentary states, "I have in effect told it you more than once; I have told you that I am sent of the Father, &c., I have said enough for you to conclude it; but you will not understand, you will not receive it, you will not believe what I say. What need you any further witness of it, than those works which I do by Divine power; by virtue of my oneness with my Father, and of that power and authority which he hath committed to me, that by them I might confirm the doctrine which I have taught you?"

This is a sobering reality for many. And a sobering reality for those that know the truth that the reality is many will not conclude the same. Some people are stuck in their ways. Like the man we spoke to at the mall two weeks ago who really would not listen or consider any words that we might say. He was a man that was stuck. And no amount of revelation or words from us was going to change that. 

Jesus points out - you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. The sheep hear his voice and know his voice (vs. 3-4). But these are not His sheep. They don't hear. They may hear words from a mouth, but they don't hear in the sense of understanding and accepting. 

For those that hear and know His voice Jesus confirms their present and future -- My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Sheep have a different path - following Jesus. Receiving eternal life, never perishing. Safe in the Hand of God....always. 

This reminds me that once we are declared safe by Him and perhaps Jesus is the only one that really know who has been declared safe, but for those that are safe they will never be unsafe. They will never be lost. 

Summary: Jews encircle Jesus at the time of Hanukkah and want to know if He is the Christ. Jesus has already repeatedly told who He is. They are not His sheep and cannot hear Him. 

Promise: RC Sproul writes, "We are secure, not because we hold tightly to Jesus, but because He holds tightly to us.”

Prayer: Lord, I am thankful that I can hear you and that I know Your voice. It is a sobering reality Lord that others cannot hear. And yet Lord, you still want me to be a voice to people. You still want me to share. You want me to have the conversations and communicate and find Your sheep. Help me to be faithful in this. I need this. This is not a burden but something I need to do continually. For my own sake in who you have called me to be, I need to speak the truth of You to others. Thank you for the richness of Your word and the clarity of it and the history of You saving your people. This can be seen in Hanukkah that you have always been a God who saves their people, no matter what is going on in the world and who has governmental power, you are always present and near. I praise You God for this. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 10:17-21 - The Shepherd's Charge from His Father

John 10:17-21

17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

19 A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?” 21 Others were saying, “These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?”

Message: The Shepherd's Charge from His Father

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: This passage, beginning in verse 1, is teaching giving an allegory stating that He is the door and He is the shepherd for the sheep. The sheep are those of the fold of Israel (v. 1), but also those that are of another fold - the Gentiles (v. 16). His sheep hear His voice. Others my try to dissuade the sheep, but the sheep are in tune to the shepherd, which is Jesus. Salvation is found in Jesus. 

And then in verse 11, He mentions that the shepherd will lay down His life for His sheep. Just as the Father knows the Son Jesus, Jesus knows the sheep (v. 15). Jesus, as a man, a perfect man, has a relationship with Father God that is unique. And the benefactors of this relationship is His sheep. Verse 17 is a verse that communicates - God's Love, His death, and His resurrection. Jesus will die but then He will take back His life again. He does this all by the authority of God (v. 18). Even as Jesus dies on the cross, he states, "And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23:46). 

After stating this, the division continues among the Jews listening, some believe He has a demon and some do not. This word for division is used in John 7:43 and John 9:16. 

Summary: Because of the Father and Son's love toward one another, Jesus will lay down His life and take it up again (resurrection). This continues to cause division among the Jews. 

Promise: Jesus is our Shepherd who guides us wherever we should go. 

Prayer: Thank you for the Special relationship God you have with your Son Jesus. You sent Him into this world of ours that I live in  to show us the way of salvation. In Jesus' name we are saved. Let all people behold this truth. Give all people this understanding. God, you are good and holy and your ways are right. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 10:11-16 - The Shepherd Who Knows His Sheep

John 10:11-16

11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd."

Message: The Shepherd Who Knows His Sheep

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus provides further clarity to what He said, recorded in the first 6 verses of Chapter 10. In verse 7, He says He is the door of the Sheep. And in verse 11 He says, "I am the good shepherd." Toward the sheep, Jesus says He lays down His life for the sheep (v. 11). He says he lays down His life for the sheep (v. 15) and he knows His sheep and His sheep know Him (v. 14). There is intimacy here. There is a close relationship. God is sovereign and in control. He is mighty, but, as a reminder, on this Christmas day, God sent His son as a baby into this world, small and innocent. He lived as we live, tempted as we are. And He knows us. There is nothing greater than to be known by God. 

Jesus lays down His life for His sheep. He dies for us. Jesus atones for His sheep. Jesus dies on the cross but His death was not for all because all would not be saved, instead He lays down His Life for the sheep. Jesus mentions in verse 26 that "you do not believe because you are not of My sheep." So not all are His sheep. 

Verse 16 speaks of "other sheep...not of this fold." Verse 1 of chapter 10 mentions the fold of the sheep. In these verses and in his conversation in chapter 9, He is speaking to the Pharisees, the Jews of the day (v. 19). But in verse 16 He remarks that beyond the fold of the Jewish people and those He has chosen of the flock, there are other sheep, there are other sheep that will hear His voice and they with the other folds will become one flock with one shepherd. 

As such verse 16 is a prophetic word by Jesus. The Gentiles will be a part of His kingdom but they are not yet. He is speaking here again to the Jews, the Pharisees but later all people from all nations will be a part of His fold - one flock with one shepherd. I remember again chapter 9, verse 39 that Jesus comes into this world for judgment and there will be a separation - some will see, some will be blind, but He comes into the world for all. For God loves the World. 

Summary: Jesus is the good shepherd, laying down His life for His sheep, those of the fold of Israel and other sheep (Gentiles), not of this fold are prophesied. 

Promise: John Calvin comments on John 10:16, “We are already God’s sheep, before we are aware that He is our shepherd.”

Prayer: Lord, you are Holy. Your ways are perfect. Thank you for grafting me in, all Gentiles in and calling Israel as well to your flock. You are our Shepherd and we are one Flock. Thank you for seeing the need all people have for You, in all nations, in all manners of life. Let us be a people that continually honors You and gives glory to Your name. Draw my family to You o god. Make yourself real to them always. Awaken them by Your Spirit to an understanding of You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 10:1-10 - The Door of the Sheepfold

John 10:1-10

1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.

7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Message: The Door of the Sheepfold

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: As I read this passage, I think about the last lesson from Jesus that I really enjoyed. Jesus comes into the world so that people will make a decision about Him - some will follow, some will not. Everyone will be divided into those two realms. 9:39 mentions (1) those who do not see may see and (2) those who see may become blind. The seeing and the not seeing seem to represent those that will be open to Jesus, discovering who He is, and moving into a relationship with Him. Those who are blind already have their mind made up on what they see and what they see is not Jesus necessarily. They are hardened. 

That is a great lesson for me. It speaks of the reality of our world. And also makes me wonder as we share the Gospel, and figuring out our audience and where they are at in that relationship. I listened to our missionary that serves in Lisbon today state that it takes 3 years for a seeker in this post-modern world to come to Christ. They have to see people and watch them for a while before they will make that decision to follow Christ. This doesn't mean we are not to evangelize and share our faith, but we need to realize that for many people it won't be a quick process, like maybe it was in the 80s. 

Now, in chapter 10, we have a story that Jesus tells that many will call an allegory. Jesus speaks of a door. The door is an entryway or a port in which people will walk into. A door is a place to transition from one world to another. I think of the CS Lewis series, Chronicles of Narnia, that mentioned at many times this transition from one world to the next. And so Jesus begins with this idea of coming through a door. But he first starts with those that don't enter by the door, those that don't go past the door to be with the fold of other sheep. Fold here is speaking of a group or community of other sheep. Rather than going through the door, they are trying a different way. Those that go about in a different way are thieves and robbers. 

In this story, not just anyone can enter through the door. The door is reserved for the shepherd to come through. And at the other side of the door is the sheep, the lost. Jesus also mentions the doorkeeper which must be the Father as Jesus has been charged by the Father. It seems the sheep are trying to get out. The door opens, the shepherd speaks and calls the sheep to come out (verse 3). After calling "his own" (verse 4), which doesn't mean calling all but only his own, the shepherd walks ahead of them and the sheep follow him. His voice being the one they know. The sheep know the voice of the shepherd. And verse 5 mentions strangers. The sheep are not following a stranger but someone they know. 

The disciples response to Jesus telling this story is one of question. They don't understand. So Jesus offers the explanation. Jesus says I am the door. Those before Him were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. Enter through Me and be saved. Thieves come to steal and kill and destroy but Jesus comes to give abundant life. 

Tabletalk mentions the context of this passage: Raising sheep in first-century Palestine: Individual flocks were led by particular shepherds during the day, but in the evening, various flocks would be gathered into one large, walled sheepfold for safety. The sheep would intermingle during the night, but when the shepherds returned the next day to retrieve their sheep, it was easy for each shepherd to find his flock. Each shepherd uttered his call, and only the sheep that belonged to him would come.

Reading this changes my understanding of the passage. The sheep have only a shepherd but others will try to get to the sheep, thieves and robbers or false prophets. Jesus is the only source of eternal hope and security. Only Jesus is the gateway to eternal life. 

Summary: Jesus provides an allegory of sheep that hear the voice of the shepherd and follow Him while strangers try to get to the sheep. 

Promise: All of us must be alert and watch out for false teaching and false teachers who may try to infiltrate our churches.

Prayer: Thank you God for the message of the sheep and You being the door, the good shepherd that we follow. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit guiding us into truth and helping us navigate our way. As those thieves and strangers come, give us the grounding in your word to withstand those and instead help us keep our eyes on you the Shepherd. Thank you for this truth and providing us abundant life. Help me to show others the door that opens up to following You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.