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Who Is Jesus? (John 10)

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My 22nd year taking students
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EXAMINE     Who Is Jesus? (John 10; Matthew 16)

1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

JESUS IS THE GATHERER OF THE SHEEP

  • Sheepfold is a frequent metaphor in Scripture
    • Ps 100 “Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us and we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”
    • Ps23 “The LORD is my shepherd…”
    • Isa 40:11; /
    • Lk15 Shepherd leaves 99 for 1
    • Shepherds prevalent: Abel, Abram, Jacob, Moses, David, Amos, Nativity
    • Prophets rebuked Israel’s leaders as selfish shepherds, indicating God’s significant care for His sheep
      (Jer 10:21; 23:1-8; 50:6-7; Ez 34:1-10)
      • Jer 50:6-7 “My people have become lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray. They have made them turn aside on the mountains; they have gone along from mountain to hill and have forgotten their resting place. All who came upon them have devoured them; and their adversaries have said, ‘We are not guilty, inasmuch as they have sinned against the LORD who is righteous’”
      • Ez 34 “Woe, shepherds of Israel… feeding and clothing self without do so for others; not caring for those weak or sick; not pursuing the lost; dominating rather than nurturing… so God’s flock as become prey… Behold, I am against the shepherds”
  • Sheep belong to a flock. Rarely does one have a single sheep; they’re fundamentally animals that need to be with its own kind. Likewise, it is not good for humans to be alone. We all need someone – a friend, a neighborhood, a group, a tribe, a family.
    • In 2023, healthcare advisers declared an epidemic of loneliness. Surprisingly, or maybe not, younger gen admits severe loneliness than older gen – with ages 30-44 highest group (29%), followed by 18-29 (24%), 45-64 (20%), then age 65+ (10%). Loneliness is so impactful that healthcare compares it to smoking 15x day, which can increase risks of heart disease, stroke, dementia…
      It is not good for people to be alone. People need to be with a sheepfold.
    • You do not have to go to church to be a Christian.
      Likewise, a spouse does not have to live in same house to be married.
      But a Christian (or spouse) who is not together are severely and dangerously neglecting what God has put together.
  • Sheep need a shepherd. The stereotype reality of sheep is they are helpless without a shepherd. They need ongoing attention, affection, assistance, guidance, protection. They naturally drift and become prey, which is why Jesus rebukes bad shepherds and warns against the danger of wolves.
    • Thieves and robbers abound
      One not entering door of the sheepfold but climbs in by another way, is a thief and robber (κλέπτη = steal by stealth / λῃστής  = violent crime)[1]
      Strong language but used to rebuke false shepherds… such as
      • Those who deny deity of Jesus (LDS, JW, Islam, Judaism, Secular Pluralism)Those who distort authority of Scripture (new meanings, add traditions)Those who diminish necessity of gathering in a church.
        Again, church attendance doesn’t disprove discipleship but is one evidence.
        • Mt 16 Jesus is building ekklesia against HellAc 2 Early believers devoted themselvesHeb 10:25 do not forsake gathering  
    • There is only one good shepherd (cf. Heb 13:20)
      • Jesus is way, truth, life w/o alternative method to God (Jn 14:6; Ac 4:12)
      • Jesus will separate sheep and goats (Mt 25:32)
      • Jesus charged disciples to feed His sheep, with elders serving the Chief Shepherd (Jn 21; 1Pe 5:1; Heb 13:7)

>> Jesus is the gatherer. How much more shall followers of Jesus be people who are gathering, inviting, attracting, pursuing, pleading, and praying for sinners to come home? #WhosYour1

>> Jesus is the reason we gather. How much stuff do we put on our priority list ahead of gathering for Jesus? His precious blood was shed that we might be rescued from hell, and refined from hell on earth. Christians should say, “I’d rather go through hell on earth with Jesus than heaven without Jesus.” IOW, Jesus is the sole reason & value of heaven; peace, comfort, and joy do not exist apart from Jesus. So, how dare we treat frequent gathering with God’s people as unimportant or unworthy of our priority and passion?  

You do not have to go to church to be a Christian.
Likewise, a spouse does not have to live in same house to be married. But Christians, or spouses, who are not together are severely and dangerously neglecting what God has put together.

5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “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 listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by 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.

JESUS IS THE GUARD OF THE SHEEP

  • Jesus has been teaching with authority and performing signs to indicate His identity.
    • Changing water to wine (2:1-11) = Jesus is purity
    • Healing sickness (4:46-54) = Jesus is powerful
    • Healing paralytic (5:1-15) = Jesus reverses curse
    • Feeding multitude (6:5-13) = Jesus is provider
    • Walking on water (6:16-21) = Jesus is peace (storms, evil monsters)
    • Healing blind (9:1-7) = Jesus is sight
    • Raising Lazarus (11:1-44) = Jesus conquers death
    • Resurrection (20:1,ff) = Jesus is eternal life
  • Yet, controversy & adversaries are ramping up w/ both religious leaders & cynics.
  • Near the end of Jesus’ ministry He becomes clearer – yet ironic how skeptics suggest Jesus is vague or not claiming deity { Talarico, etc.}.
    • I AM (6:20; 8:24; 8:28; 8:58; 18:5; cf. Exodus 3:14)
      • Pre-existence: never a time when God/Jesus didn’t exist
      • Self-sufficiency: uncreated; inexhaustible; unfading
      • Immediate presence: closer/thicker than air
      • Infinite authority: Lordship & Relationship
        fear God who can not just destroy body but cast into hell (Lk 12:45)
  • I AM bread of life (6:35, 48, 51)
  • I AM light of world (8:12; 9:5)
  • I AM door of sheep (10:7, 9)
  • I AM good shepherd (10:11, 14)
  • I AM way, truth, life (14:6)
  • I AM true vine (15:1)
  • When Jesus claims to be the door of the sheep, He’s claiming both entry and exit. Ancient shepherds slept in the gateway of their own sheep pens, keeping marauders out and sheep in.[2] Additionally, shepherds traveling out of town would add their sheep to a local sheepfold. But upon leaving, the sheep know the voice of their shepherd to be able to leave.[3] So, Jesus guards the door with his voice to give discipline or direction to the sheep. 10:4/27 the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. The sheep must enter by Jesus and continue listening for his voice so they can go in and out {freedom} and find pasture instead drifting from the sheepfold or departing the faith.  

>> Are you belonging and becoming in God’s church or just existing?

Jesus guards by naming and numbering = church membership matters. God has designed the faith journey to be more fulfilling by belonging to His church – – – there are benefits to belonging. You can stay in the fringe and just attend a church, but you miss the benefit of having intentional ways of receiving God’s shepherding and guarding care.

**Sheep vs Goats = from same family group; look similar but are very different[4]  

  • No horns                                    vs       Horns that point upward
     male sheep (ram) curl horns)
  • Wool (no beard)                         vs      Hair (yes beards)
  • Tail points down (humble)        vs       Tail points up
  • Eats as a grazer on ground      vs       Eats as a browser from anything-bushes & trees
      what God provides                  vs                 what someone else gives/grows
  • Temperament as flocking         vs       independent
                                                                   good for getting out of danger but finds trouble
             

Heb 13:7-8, 17, 20 “Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith… Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it good for the heart to be strengthened by grace… Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning… Now, may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

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 does not own 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 cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” 19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

JESUS IS THE GIVER OF LIFE FOR THE SHEEP

  • Hired shepherds are not evil but they lack depth of empathy. They spare their own life when the wolf comes, which means the sheep are unprotected and gyro meat.
    • Joke: How fast do you have to be to outrun a bear? Just faster than your friend.  
  • Jesus wasn’t hired to become something he wasn’t already – He is the good shepherd.
  • The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He willingly placed himself in between the sheep and the danger – – – which theologically, Jesus saved us not just from a wolf but from the wrath of God (Jn 3:16-17).
    • We might consider Hollywood/Marvel heroes… but more: military, firefighters, police… Yet, truly humanity is sadly veiled and underestimating the day of judgment that awaits. We need Jesus not just as friend but the protective Shepherd from the fierce tribulation judgment that awaits those who do not know Jesus as Savior.
  • other sheep that are not of this fold are those Gentile believers and us today.
  • I lay down my life that I may take it up again reflects God’s sovereign intentional purpose for Jesus to die and resurrect.
  • Jesus’ words caused a stir not just among adversaries but including with the disciples. In MT16, Peter confessed Jesus as Son of God. Jesus affirmed Peter’s confession, then explained he would lay down his life and after 3-days be raised. But Peter rebuked the martyrdom plan, wanting a military strategy to overthrow Rome. Yet, Jesus stated the cross was absolutely necessary, for there is no other pathway to salvation.

APPLY/TAKEAWAY          ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ποιμὴν καλός                  
Jesus is more than good = agatha (useful), he’s kalos (beautiful) shepherd…

[1] https://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/10-1.htm

[2] D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 384.

[3] Cultural commentary from Gary Hamrick sermon on John 10.

[4] https://a-z-animals.com/animals/comparison/goat-vs-sheep/

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