John 10:1-18
True and false shepherds
John 10:1-18
WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?
(I Am! I Am!)
"I am the good shepherd!" John 10 1:18
Jesus chooses to call himself the true shepherd, and that sums up so much: a close and personal relationship between himself and his followers, the certain security that we can have in him, the dependency in his guidance, his companion, his profound care for us and most of all his sacrificial love.
I am loving this series! This book was the first given to me when I become Christian. John's Gospel is rather different from the other three. In any event, his witness to Jesus goes its own way, highlighting matters that in the other Gospels remain implicit and underdeveloped. The literary style of this witness of Jesus is also unique among the Gospels; the focus is on the "signs" of Jesus' identity and mission and on lengthy, theologically rich discourses. John himself states his main purpose clearly in verse John 20:31:
"That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:31
Jesus repeatedly said in this book:
“I am! I am the bread of life, I am the lamb of God, I am the light of the world, I am the God’s messiah, I am the gate, I am the good shepherd!” …….
Specifically in today`s passage, John 10:1-18, we recognize that Jesus is the only way that one can become part of the family of God. The sheep recognise Jesus`s voice, he is the one who guards the gate for them.
But more, Jesus says:
“I know my sheep ……. My sheep know me!! I lay down my life for the sheep!” John 10:14
Again:
Who is Jesus to you?
Where is your faith?
Is your faith in the good shepherd or “somewhere else”? If your faith is not in Jesus, then it will be like the text says:
“All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.” John 10:8
We live in times where there are a lot of voices trying to get in our head, If the voice that you are hearing is not from Jesus, then you are lost.
Presumptuous thing to say?
Which voice are you listening to?
Jesus says:
“The sheep cannot follow the stranger`s voice, and they will run away from him because they don’t recognize a stranger`s voice” John 10:5
The metaphoric example here is not difficult to understand, at that time, Jesus was referring to the Palestinian shepherds, who led their sheep and the sheep followed because they knew their own shepherd's voice. For the sheep, the only way to find pasture and safety was through the shepherd and for us the only way to find salvation and security is through Jesus, but for the pharisees, the false prophets, a harsh thing to take, the confrontation was quite explicit:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and life to the full” John 10:10
(I Am! I Am!)
"I am the good shepherd!" John 10 1:18
Jesus chooses to call himself the true shepherd, and that sums up so much: a close and personal relationship between himself and his followers, the certain security that we can have in him, the dependency in his guidance, his companion, his profound care for us and most of all his sacrificial love.
I am loving this series! This book was the first given to me when I become Christian. John's Gospel is rather different from the other three. In any event, his witness to Jesus goes its own way, highlighting matters that in the other Gospels remain implicit and underdeveloped. The literary style of this witness of Jesus is also unique among the Gospels; the focus is on the "signs" of Jesus' identity and mission and on lengthy, theologically rich discourses. John himself states his main purpose clearly in verse John 20:31:
"That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:31
Jesus repeatedly said in this book:
“I am! I am the bread of life, I am the lamb of God, I am the light of the world, I am the God’s messiah, I am the gate, I am the good shepherd!” …….
Specifically in today`s passage, John 10:1-18, we recognize that Jesus is the only way that one can become part of the family of God. The sheep recognise Jesus`s voice, he is the one who guards the gate for them.
But more, Jesus says:
“I know my sheep ……. My sheep know me!! I lay down my life for the sheep!” John 10:14
Again:
Who is Jesus to you?
Where is your faith?
Is your faith in the good shepherd or “somewhere else”? If your faith is not in Jesus, then it will be like the text says:
“All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.” John 10:8
We live in times where there are a lot of voices trying to get in our head, If the voice that you are hearing is not from Jesus, then you are lost.
Presumptuous thing to say?
Which voice are you listening to?
Jesus says:
“The sheep cannot follow the stranger`s voice, and they will run away from him because they don’t recognize a stranger`s voice” John 10:5
The metaphoric example here is not difficult to understand, at that time, Jesus was referring to the Palestinian shepherds, who led their sheep and the sheep followed because they knew their own shepherd's voice. For the sheep, the only way to find pasture and safety was through the shepherd and for us the only way to find salvation and security is through Jesus, but for the pharisees, the false prophets, a harsh thing to take, the confrontation was quite explicit:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and life to the full” John 10:10
Apply
- What about you? Can you truly recognise Jesus as your shepherd?
- Do you have anyone in your life that you have been praying for a long time and still haven’t come to the “sheep pen”?
- Do you still have faith that he or she will be saved?
- How can God use you powerfully to help people to come to the “sheep pen”? Jesus said: ”they too listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd”.
Jesus says he will never leave anyone behind for the thieves and robbers, he will save all of his sheep from them.
Prayer
Father God,
I pray for ears to be open! Thank you for choosing me first! Thank you for being at the gate for me and I am able to identify your voice, you are the good shepherd, and I trust in you! Thank you, lord.
Amen.
I pray for ears to be open! Thank you for choosing me first! Thank you for being at the gate for me and I am able to identify your voice, you are the good shepherd, and I trust in you! Thank you, lord.
Amen.
This Everyday Devotions was written by Mauro Calheiros, the Mitcham Pastorate Leader and member of our Wimbledon Venue.
If you would like to listen to the whole of this week’s sermon on John 10:1-18 why not download the Everyday Church App or visit our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.
This Everyday Devotions has also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.
If you would like to listen to the whole of this week’s sermon on John 10:1-18 why not download the Everyday Church App or visit our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.
This Everyday Devotions has also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.