Dear Explorer,
Read John 10:1-6
All of John chapter 10 is a collection of teachings regarding Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Let me just give you some background.
The picture here is of a night pen that many different shepherds would use. They would place their sheep inside this pen where they would mix and mingle with other sheep. It was used primarily during the colder winter months.
The doorkeeper's job was to open the gate as the shepherds arrived the next morning. There was no danger of the sheep getting permanently mixed because the sheep knew the voice of their shepherd. Just as a child runs to greet his parent when he or she is at pre-school or nursery.
You, too, have been called by name. Jesus has called you to follow Him. You are His special little lamb and He loves you.
What would you say is the main point of John 10:1-5?
The Pharisees were very jealous of Jesus because so many people were following Him. Wherever He went, thousands of people followed Him. Whole regions showed up and people traveled for miles to hear Him teach.
In John 10:1-6, Jesus very simply gives the explanation. He's the Shepherd. He knows His sheep and they know Him and want to follow Him.
What does He call the Pharisees in this story?
But John 10:6 tells us that the Pharisees didn't understand what He was saying.
Read John 10:7-10
In this passage, Jesus changes the analogy just a little. This time instead of being the Good Shepherd, what metaphor represents Jesus?
Why is a gate or door a good example of what Jesus came to do?
Without Jesus, we have no entrance to Heaven, no way to approach God. Jesus is the gateway to God, the doorway to Heaven, the gateway to eternal life.
What does Jesus say the thief comes to do?
Only the Good Shepherd has good things planned for His sheep. Everyone else comes to destroy them. Can you think of some examples of things today that claim to be good, but are actually out to destroy you?
In John 10:10, what does Jesus say that He came to do?
What does that mean to you?
When we invite Jesus into our God-shaped vacuum, and we are obediently following Him, our lives will be full – satisfying, meaningful, purposeful. Then we'll experience the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith and SELF-under-control that the Holy Spirit brings. WOW!
That's the life, I choose! How about you?
In His service, dale
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