John 10:1-6 - Lesson #100

Jesus healed the man born blind in order that "the works of God should be revealed" (John 9:3). The religious leaders could not fit this miracle into their system so they cast the man out of the synagogue and refused to believe Jesus was from God; "this Man is a sinner" (John 9:24). The man who was healed believed and worshipped, but the religious leaders rejected and scorned. While speaking to this same group of so-called leaders, Jesus declared Himself to be the true leader or shepherd.

John 10:1-6
"'Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.' Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them."

Everyone during the time of Jesus could understand this illustration, though many did not perceive its meaning. When shepherds gathered their sheep, they would put them into a sheepfold - a designated area, usually with mud walls and only one entrance, the door, used for protection against thieves and predators. Since the area could hold the sheep of different shepherds, a doorkeeper was hired to guard the sheep and open the door for those who were authorized.

Shepherds spent a great deal of time with their sheep, knew them by name, and led them with their voice. The Pharisees, as the religious leaders, ought to have known and been known by the sheep. But they had ceased to be shepherds who cared for their sheep and had become thieves who only wanted to "acquire" sheep to increase their own status; "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock" (Ezekiel 34:3). The pastoral exhortation for our day is clear.

We can all be viewed as being part of the sheepfold. And if we listen, a time will come when a voice beckons us to follow. How will we know this is the voice of the true Shepherd or a thief who has come to destroy? Following the wrong voice can be extremely painful, and potentially disastrous! "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15).

We can prepare for His call by first learning the discipline of quiet. We cannot hear until we become still and block out all competing noise. It seems this discipline becomes more and more difficult in our "modern" age. We must then spend the necessary time getting to know the precious words our Shepherd uses when He calls. Fortunately He has recorded and preserved His words so we need not be deceived. Let's recognize His voice by knowing His Word and then boldly follow the leading of the One True Shepherd.

Wow! 100 lessons!! I think when I started this study I thought I would be finished with the whole book by now. Maybe I'll be done by lesson 200.

Dear Steve, these lessons in JOHN have become a great source of info into The Gospel of John, as I read and share The Pocket Testament League books (www.pocketpower.org). Thank you for your inspiring study and faithfulness... Jeff