John 10:1-21
Q.1. What kind of relationship does Jesus, as the true Shepherd, have with His sheep? How does a thief treat the sheep? – (Jn.10:1-10)
The True Shepherd is open and therefore trusted by His sheep. He knows their names and leads them … and they know him and so follow him. The true shepherd cares for his sheep, provides generously for them, and will protect and save them. Thieves and strangers frighten the sheep. The sheep do not trust them because they do not know them. In fact – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (Jn.10:10).
Q.2. What makes Jesus a Good Shepherd in contrast to a hired hand? To whom was Jesus referring when He described some shepherds as robbers? – (Jn.10:10-18)
Whereas a hired hand flees when in danger, the Good Shepherd as the Owner of the sheep – lays down His life for the sheep (Jn.10:11). He pays the price because He knows the plight of His sheep, just as the Father does. Consequently, the Father made plans to save His sheep …. A plan His Son willingly received. In the context of John’s record there is an ongoing battle with the Jewish leaders who purported to care for the Jews when in fact they were only interested in their own advantage. These leaders are thieves and usurpers.
Q.3. Who are the ‘other sheep not of this fold’? Who was responsible for the death of Jesus? – (Jn.10:16-18)
Jesus had come first for the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Mt.15:24). This was all part of a grander plan – 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 (Jn.10:16). From the beginning God had intended that Jews and Gentiles would share the blessings of the Father and be made one (Eph.2:12-17). To accomplish this, Jesus had to die. However, we should never view this as a death forced on an unwilling Victim or that Christ somehow lost control (Acts 2:23-24). Speaking of His death, Jesus declared – 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 (Jn.10:18).
Q.4. What did the people make of Christ’s claims? Why was it hard to dismiss Jesus as insane? – (Jn.10:19-21)
The leaders had concluded – This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath (Jn.9:16). Under this influence, some wrote Jesus off as an imposter Who was either insane or demon possessed. Others argued that such a conclusion was impossible since – … A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he? (Jn.10:21). Christ’s claims and signs pointed to Him as Israel’s Messiah (Is.61:1; Acts 2:22). But the legalistic interpretation of the Law and Sabbath keeping by the leaders, obscured the truth.