SCRIPTURE: JUNE 10
THE SHEPHERD AND HIS FLOCK (vs. 1-21)
“The man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
Therefore, Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved . He will come in and go out, and find pasture. Theo thief comes only to steal and kill ands destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. The the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. they too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No on takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (vs. 7-18)
At these words the Jews were again divided. Many of them said that He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Who why listen to him. But others said that His sayings are not from a man possessed by a demon because He could open the eyes of the blind.
THE UNBELIEF OF THE JEWS (vs. 22-42)
Jesus was in the temple area waling in Solomon’s Colonnade during the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. The Jews gathered around him asked him if he is really Christ. Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. Theo miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall nnvever perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (vs. 25-30)
Then the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” (v. 32). The Jews replied: “We stone you because of blasphemy, You are a mere man claiming to be God. (v. 33). Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have called them ‘gods’ to whom the word of God came – and the Scripture cannot be broken – what about the one whom the Father set a party as his very own and sent into the world. Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, “I am God’s Son?” Do not believe me unless i do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father. (vs. 34-38) Again, they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. He stayed there and many people came and believe in him.
THOUGHTS:
As a good shepherd, Jesus cares for His flock. He knows His sheep, speaks to them, protects them and gives his life for them. Unlike the strangers, thieves or hirelings, they abandon his sheep and run away when danger comes. Are you willing to listen to His call, and follow His leading by His Word?
Jesus said: “I am the gate for the sheep”. He is the gate to God’s salvation for us. He offers us access to safety and security. The life he gives is abundantly rich and full. It is eternal and overflowing with forgiveness, love and guidance. Have you taken Christ’s offer of life?
A hired hand tends the sheep for money but the shepherd owns the sheep and does it out of love and commitment. Jesus is committed to love us and lay down his life for us. False teachers and false prophets do not have this commitment.
The miracles that Jesus performed proved that he really was God. But the Jewish leaders could not see beyond their own prejudices. They looked at Jesus only from a human perspective. But Jesus was not limited by their restricted vision. Jesus and His Father are not the same person, but they are one in essence and nature. Therefore, his claim to be God was unmistakable. However, the religious leaders would never believe that Jesus’ claim was true. So they accused him of blasphemy and wanted to stone Him.