(John 10:1-18) “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.
7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
The "other sheep" are the Gentiles who become Christians - and along with the Israelites who become Christians - we all become one (Church) body in Christ. This is only possible because Jesus has died for our sins. He mentions laying down His life in that portion of scripture four times. And notice - Jesus did so on His own initiative. Mankind didn't kill Him, Jesus willingly died for our sins, and then rose again. And Jesus referred to His resurrection here twice. I'm guessing that to the Pharisees and some of the people, this sounded crazy...
(John 10:19-30) A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?” 21 Others were saying, “These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?”
22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. 24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Hm... how many times did they need to hear Jesus say or prove that He is God? At least some of the people understood and realized that the miracles Jesus was doing could only be done by God. But Jesus still answered them plainly by saying, "I and the Father are one! Jesus is part of the Trinity!...
(John 10:31-42) The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” 39 Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp. 40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there. 41 Many came to Him and were saying, “While John performed no sign, yet everything John said about this man was true.” 42 Many believed in Him there.
Those who believed understood that the miracles they saw Jesus do supported His verbal claims. But those who did not believe Jesus still saw Him only as a man. I just had a thought! Until now, I've been struggling to understand - how could they not understand??? But one only has to watch a few reality shows to see how people can become "blind with rage." This happens when people do not get their way. As one "stays in their own head" - they only see what they want to see, or hear what they want to hear. I confess that there have been times where I didn't hear something correctly and assumed the worst. And then comes the mind-games - the over-thinking - and imagining "what-if" scenarios can certainly fuel the fire. As well, I've been involved with conversations where I've tried to say something supportive or encouraging to someone, but the message was received in a completely distorted manner, and there was no reasoning with them at all. What to do???...
(Ephesians 4:25-27) Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.
We are to be angry at injustice, and if someone wrongs us, it is not a sin to feel the initial anger - but - it is all about what we do with it. We need to sort out our miscommunications and issues with others quickly, and with love as our motive. And we need to do the same with God. He is very understanding, so to let Him know, "Hey, I'm feeling anger towards You, and I'm sorry! Help me understand!" etc. Although I've never understood why one would be angry at God. God always has the best intentions for us!!! Things happen because of our own actions or lack of understanding, or because of other people's actions, or because we live in a fallen world - Adam and Eve chose to eat the fruit - - - it's NOT God's fault. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, not only came to pay for our sins, but He came to be our perfect living example. After showing us what is expected in order to have eternal life as well as a fulfilling life while here on earth - HE THEN PROVIDES THE WAY!!! Why would we want to cut off the only ONE who can actually help us???...
(James 1:12-22) Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits [t]among His creatures.
19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
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