CHAPTER 10

1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

This is a continuation of the conversation that ended chapter 9.

Take note of the term "parable" in verse six.
It is a translation of the Greek word paroimia (par-oy-mee'-ah), and generally means: illustration.
Teachers used this method to convey meaning from natural things.
It has often been said that a parable is: an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

Jesus used the illustration of a shepherd with his sheep.
Most shepherds left their sheep at night in a "sheepfold" with a keeper - "porter."
The sheepfold was usually backed up to a high cliff, and had high rock walls built from the cliff to the gate.
This was to protect against wolves and mountain lions.

When the shepherd went to the "sheepfold" in the morning, he entered at the gate.
The "porter" (night keeper) knew the shepherd, and allowed him to call his sheep.
When the shepherd called the sheep, they KNOW his voice and follow him.
The sheep in the sheepfold were possibly from several different shepherds.
But they would NOT FOLLOW the wrong shepherd, for they were used to their own shepherd's voice.

Jesus used this illustration to show that HE is the ONLY Shepherd.
The illustration clearly shows that those who KNOW Jesus will follow Him,
and, those who DO NOT know Him will not follow Him.

The leaders who had been listening, pretended they didn't understand why Jesus was using this particular illustration.

So, Jesus explains further.

7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus identifies Himself with the "parable," and declares Himself to be
both the "door," and "the Good Shepherd."

He is the "door."
The physical sheepfold had a very narrow door.
Each evening, as the shepherd put his sheep in the fold, he stood in the doorway.
The only way the sheep could enter was to go between the shepherds legs.
That way, the shepherd could inspect each sheep, and if any needed medical attention, he would apply it.

No sheep get into God's sheepfold (heaven) except to come through Jesus! (See John 14:6)
And those who are allowed entrance are provided with grace and help each day!(See Hebrews 4:16)

He is the "Good Shepherd."
A "good" shepherd continually cares, provides for and protects his sheep.
The shepherd may have to fight wolves, mountain lions, and even bears for them!
He literally hazarded his life for the sheep! (See vs 15 above)

A "hireling" wasn't as conscientous as the real shepherd.
He might run from the wolf, lion or bear and leave the sheep to fend for themselves!
Notice Jesus refers to others "who came before me."
This was, I believe, in direct reference to the leaders of the Jewish religion whom God had already severely chastized several times.
((See Jeremiah 23:1; Ezekiel 34:2-3 )for instance))

Those leaders had constantly initiated "traditions," and bypassed the true teaching of the Scriptures.

Jesus called them "thieves and robbers!"

Take particular notice of verse 10.
The "thief" (false prophets and teachers) only come to "steal, kill and destroy!"
Their desire is to gratify themselves at the expense of the people.

The "thief" will "steal" the impact of Scripture by not teaching it in truth;
"kill" the singular focus of the person on Jesus as Lord;
and "destroy" the ability to be a faithful witness.

On the other hand, Jesus gives "life...more abundantly!"
Jesus opens the Scripture in truth; (See John 14:26)
helps the person focus upon Him as Supreme in all facets of life;
and, aids in being a faithful and true witness of salvation.

Jesus said, "As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father."
This claim must have INFURIATED the Jewish leaders.
God knows us INSIDE OUT!
Jesus claimed to know God INSIDE OUT!
No man can claim this except He be God incarnate!

Notice verse 16.
There are "other sheep" which do not come from the Jewish "fold."
These are those who have trusted and surrendered to Christ, no matter what their national or generic status.(See ; Hosea 1:10; Romans 9:21-26);1Peter 2:10)

The ONLY way to God is through Jesus Christ!! (See Acts 4:12)
He is the One Who OWNS LIFE! (See John 1:4)

The cross became the MEANS by which Jesus OFFERED His life for the salvation of mankind.
"NO MAN" took His life, He GAVE it!
No man can crucify God without God being submissive!

Man had no worthy price to pay God for the offense of sin.
The created can not pay the Creator, because ALL belongs to the Creator!
Therefore the Creator came and was willingly crucified by the created, in order that He might DEMONSTRATE His will to forgive, save, and give eternal life. (See Romans 5:8)

Jesus had "the power" to "lay down" His life, and the power to "take it again!"
This was a "command" from the Father!
ALL of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) agreed that this was the ONLY way to save mankind and give them eternal life with God.

He who follows any other shepherd but Jesus is headed the WRONG DIRECTION!
But, God proves He is willing to accept "U turns!"

19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

Jesus' explanation of the "parable" set them to arguing among themselves.
Some called him "possessed;"
Others said He couldn't be possessed because He had healed the blind man.

That argument hasn't changed much in almost 2000 years!
Still, many do not believe that Jesus is God incarnate.
Yet, many DO believe!

Perhaps the REASON for the same argument today, is the reason for the argument of THAT day: a lack of knowledge of the Scriptures.
Some today would obliterate Scripture;
Some would obstruct its truth;
Some would question its validity;
and, some just simply refuse to read it and see for themselves.

22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and my Father are one.

The Greek word translated "porch" here is stoa.
portico.
It is a roof supported by columns.
This particular portico ran the length of the East side of the temple along the "court of the Gentiles."

In this spacious place, Jesus and His disciples were stopped by some Jewish leaders. They wanted Him to tell them "plainly" if He was the "Christ" (Messiah).

I don't know how much more "plainly" Jesus could have told them!
I don't know how much more "plainly" Jesus could be shown today!

The answer to their not understanding then, is the same as today.
"Ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep."

Sheep are docile, and follow their master in trust.
If people follow Jesus as Master today, He will impart faith and understanding.
(See John 14:26)

Not only does Jesus give His people faith and understanding, He gives them
"eternal life; and they shall never perish."
One cannot "perish" if he has "eternal life!" (See 1John 5:11-12)
(See also John 11:25-26)

Those who come to Jesus are SECURE in His "hand!" (vs 28)
(See my book: SEALED IN HIS SPIRIT @ http://www.linktojesus.org/page10a.html)

Take note of Jesus' statement in verse 30, "I and my Father are one."
In the Greek the statement looks like this:
Egoó kaí ho Pateér hén esmen
I and the Father are one.
This denotes unity.
Christ, the Son of God, and the Father are one in union and purpose.
Perfect is the holy union between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost!
(See Deuteronomy 6:4)

Thus, Jesus was telling them: "I and the Father are in perfect harmony."
No mere man can say that!
He is the "God man!"
(See John 1:14)

The people around Jesus understood EXACTLY what He was saying.
That's why....

31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

They believed Him to be a mere man, and were going to stone Him for blasphemy!

But.....

32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Jesus said He had done "good works" (miracles, healings) which only God could do.
But they insisted He was a man calling Himself God.
And, He indeed was a man; but He is God incarnate...God in flesh.
(See Luke 1:35)

Jesus told them that the Father had "sanctified, and sent" Him "into the world."
He was not "made clean" to come into the world, for He was already perfectly Holy!
But, He was set aside for a holy and perfect duty -- to die for mankind, and accomplish a payment to God that would allow man to be redeemed.
ONLY God can offer a sacrifice for man's sin that will be acceptable to Him!
And that was the reason for which Jesus came!
Therefore He is the "sanctified" and "sent" One -- the Messiah -- the Savior of mankind.

Jesus explained that since He were DOING the works of the "Father," they should believe Him.
Jesus was doing the very works of the Father Himself: healing lepers, giving sight to the blind, healing the lame, and raising the dead!
Those are works ONLY God can do! (See John 5:17)
Therefore, He must be God in man, the God-man, the Messiah!

If they could see the works, they certainly should have believed!

How many see the works of God in Christians today, but will not believe?
When people surrender to Jesus, things HAPPEN!!
The alcoholic is made sober;
The drug addict is cleansed;
The homosexual is cured.
(See 2Corinthians 5:17)

If people will not read the Bible, they should certainly be able to see the CHANGE God makes in other individuals!

39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there.

That day, they refused Jesus as God in flesh, the Messiah.
Not only did they refuse Him, they tried to KILL Him!

Many today would like to rid the world of Jesus and of His influence!
However, when He is refused by many, He is accepted and followed by some!

Jesus retreated to a familiar place.
It was a place where people knew they could find Him.

Even today, when the world refuses Jesus, He is there....
in that place where seekers can find Him!!