The Gospel of John Lesson 35 (5-19-13) John 10:7-18

The Gospel of John Lesson 35 (5-19-2013)

Lesson 35 – John 10:7-18

In the beginning of chapter 10 we see Jesus have some definitive words describing someone coming attempting to take His position as Shepherd of His sheep. In the first six verses of chapter 10 we see Jesus being very possessive and protective of His sheep and His position. He does not think lightly of those who attempt to impersonate Him for their own prestige and/or gain. He uses strong words to describe them calling them ‘thieves’ and ‘robbers’.

Notice that in the descriptive words that He uses that He uses words that are plural telling us that there have been many that have attempted to disguise themselves and try to pass themselves off as the One, the Savior of the world, and there will be many more. But, in using the terms that He does to describe them He tells us the basis and motive for their trickery telling us that they in essence have come for personal gain and have come to steal and rob to attempting to take what isn’t theirs to use for their own benefit.

But, after explaining to them His position as the Chief Shepherd, and some of the parameters and details that went with this position, we find that what He had said to His disciples basically went right over their head. They all turned and looked at each other in bewilderment with the look of ‘What is He talking about?’ So, Jesus again in v. 7 begins to explain some of precepts and principles concerning His Kingdom and those who are part of it. In these verses that follow we see that Jesus uses a number of images and allegories to describe His position, His Kingdom and His work.

He begins in v. 7 by using two images to describe His work and His Kingdom. He uses the image of a single Door which provides the only true entry way to the Kingdom containing His sheep and the other image is one of sheep descriptive of the subjects that are found in His Kingdom. Over the next few verses He restates to His disciples the workings of the Kingdom in greater detail than He shared with them in the beginning of this chapter using images that are helpful and familiar to them in understanding the main points of His parable.

In v. 8 He reemphasizes the importance of the timing of the prophetic events found here at this time in history. We saw earlier in v. 3 that one designated as ‘the Porter’ had the distinct position and duty of guarding this place in history letting no one else pass through at this time and place in history except Jesus. Not only was the timing of this prophetic event important, but the One that would show up to enter through this door in history would need to also have all of the other prophetic details in order before He would be welcomed in. We see an example of this when John the Baptist met Jesus. John could identify and fully and completely endorse Jesus as the One having witnesses personally many things concerning Jesus including the Holy Spirit giving His affirmation by descending upon Him and remaining. Jn. 1:32-3

He tells us in v. 8 that there were others before this time that came with good looking, but false credentials claiming to be God’s man for the hour and Savior of God’s sheep Israel. They came attempting to make up for their deficiency in their ability to fulfill these prophetic details by using other means such as popularity, vain philosophy and religious coercion to attempt to validate their claim. But, as good as they looked; the prophetic timing and other prophetic details were not right and because of this they were proven as impostors. They were found to have an impure motive for taking this position, and because of this they proved themselves to be nothing but thieves and robbers looking only to profit by assuming this position. But, even though they were good impostors it also says in v. 8 that God’s true children were not fooled by their show and rhetoric, but knew enough to hold tight and wait for the Promised One that would only come at the appointed prophetic time. 

He continues in v. 9 having now being welcomed through the right prophetic Door. He presents Himself literally now as that Door to God’s sheepfold again stating to His disciples emphatically that He and only He is the entry point and path into the Kingdom. There is no other.

At first this may sound like a very narrow offer and approach, and…it is.  But, in reality there really is no other one that can do the job. All others that came before Jesus and those who will come after His coming were not capable and were not able to do the job. Over the next few verses he will give examples of others that may offer to do the job for pay referred to as hirelings, but as we will see they cannot measure up to or do the job of the Great Shepherd. Even though the way to God’s Kingdom may seem narrow to some, those who have come to Jesus through this so called narrow way have found it to not be narrow at all for attached to His offer are promises and ‘Great’ benefits which include privileges, security, safety and freedom. He begins to share some of these benefits with us in v. 9 and 10. In v. 10 He will tell us that what He gives us for following Him is equivalent and compared to ‘abundance’.

In v. 9 the first thing that He tells us that He gives to us for believing and receiving His message is salvation. If this were the only benefit that we received in receiving the Shepherds invitation it would be enough. This term ‘saved’ or ‘salvation’  is a broad term assuredly having the meaning of salvation of one’s soul from sin, but it can be taken to mean a even  more broad meaning incorporating the ideas of deliverance, safety, protection, preservation, healing and soundness.

He tells us that this salvation which is found in believing Him, believing in Him, and entering into His Kingdom by coming through Him leads to an open door to life for us. However, this open door is indeed the door and pathway to ‘life’ and not ‘death’ and therefore it incorporates a whole new lifestyle applying His ways and principles leading to greener pastures as we follow Him. This is the ‘abundant life’ referred to in v. 10. This does not mean that we will not have any difficulties in life, but as stated earlier in Jn. 4:14 Jesus promises us ‘living water’ that is always available when we thirst and will satisfy our thirsty soul when life presses hard on us.

Later in John chapter 15 Jesus will add to the picture of what this ‘abundant life’ is when He gives us the example of the vine and that by abiding and staying connected to the vine we are fed and constantly nourished sustaining us in abundance telling us that in doing so we will also bear much fruit, Jn. 15:5. The image in John 15 is similar to the image here in John 10:9 where it says the we will go in and out and find good pasture. Being connected to the vine we receive nourishment from the source of Life making for a green and productive life and lifestyle.

In the next few verses Jesus will give us two examples of those who desire or offer to oversee the sheep that will just not do. The first is found in v. 10. We have seen this example before. He refers to this person as the thief that comes to do damage to the flock coming to kill and to steal away some of the flock for his own benefit. He brings up and uses the example of the dangerous thief again to bring home a point that we must be ever cautious because there will be many that will come in His name in this way. We must always be looking to the Shepherd for only ‘the Shepherd’ is able to protecting His sheep from such dangerous and deceptive threats.

Over the next few verses, vs. 11-5, He will also tell us why a ‘hired hand’ will also just not do. He starts out in v. 11 by showing us what level of commitment the Good Shepherd has for us telling us that He is more than willing to commit the ultimate sacrifice of giving up His own life to protection of His sheep. We saw David do this when he was tending his sheep in the wilderness when a lion and a bear attacked the fold on two separate occasions carrying off one of the sheep which they were intending to rip apart for food. However, we see David willing to risk his life to save the sheep.

Here in v. 11 we see that Jesus is willing to do far greater for us willing to not only risk His life for us, but also being willing to voluntarily lay down His life giving His life in ransom for many. This is something that no hired hand would do. As a matter of fact in v. 12 Jesus makes the point that a hired hand wouldn’t think if putting himself in harm’s way when a real threat appears on the scene. He tells us that such a hired hand would flee at the first sign of danger leaving the flock totally unprotected and vulnerable to the full wrath of such a powerful foe. Such a situation would be devastating.

In v. 13 Jesus gives us the reason why such a thing would happen. He tells us that the reason that the hireling would not stay and fight to protect the sheep is that he does not ‘care for the sheep’. The sheep really mean nothing to him. He is only a hireling and is only in it for the money, or pay.

But, in v. 14 Jesus says that He is the good Shepherd and has a personal interest in His sheep being related to them. He tells us that He is not only familiar with His sheep but says that He knows them intimately being known also by them. This goes back to the comment Jesus made earlier in this chapter saying that His sheep know His voice and they follow Him.

In v. 15 He takes this metaphor and example a notch higher. After using all these metaphors and pictorial examples He creates an even more secure image by reminding us that He is intimately connected also with the Father God. It is interesting that He combines His relationship with the Father and the laying down of His life in the same verse offering it as assurance to us meant to comfort His sheep. Jesus knew what was coming and that He would indeed eventually lay down His life literally for His sheep. Knowing this it appears that He wanted to remind those present that the Father is still watching over and caring for them when this happens.

In v. 16 He makes an interesting statement. Up until this point it was generally understood by His listeners that all of the references concerning the sheep and pasture and protection were directed toward those who would believed His message that were Jews. However, in this verse He implies that there would be others that would come into His pasture and fold that were not of Jewish origin.

Some Bible commentators make the point that the word fold is inaccurately translated in some translations and a more accurate translation would be found in using the word flock instead. The point is made that the use of the word fold implies that those who will be brought in will be brought into the one fold indicating or meaning the Gentiles being brought into Israel’s fold whereas the use of the word flock would mean that the two, Israel and the Gentiles, would be made one flock coming from the folds of many nations. This gives a more accurate picture of Christ’s work during this Church age saving many, bring in many from many nations into His Kingdom.

In vs. 17-8 Christ makes an interesting prediction and prophecy. In reality there are actually two prophetic statements found here in these verses. The first we have already heard previously in this chapter. He tells us in v. 17 that the Father is pleased with Jesus and that this satisfaction with Him is expressed in love that Jesus was willing to voluntarily lay down and give His life for His sheep. It says that this brought Great joy to the Father’s heart. He tells us in v. 18 that no one took His life from Him or made Him do it. It was done by Him willingly and totally of His own decision and power.

However, He goes on to say that following His death that He is also willing and able to raise Himself back up to life again by His own power. This was a concept that would have been totally foreign to those who heard Him that day. He says in v. 18 that He has the power to lay down His life, which He will do willingly, and that He also has the power to raise it back up again. In saying this He is not only telling them of His death, but is also foretelling to them of His resurrection. He ends v. 18 telling His followers that what He had shared with them came directly from the Father.

However, in the next few verses that follow, v. 19-21, we find that what He had said did not bring comfort to all present. What He had shared with those present did not bring everyone there closer to Him. It tells us in v. 20 that actually many present formed an opposite opinion of Him saying that He was mad and did not know what He was talking about. What He had said, as usual, caused a division among the people. This is a real and living example of what He had shared with His followers and those present just previous to this when He told them that His sheep would hear and understand His voice, but those that were not of His fold would not understand His sayings and would see Him as a threat.