Read: John 10
Chapter ten begins with an illustration of a thief who attempts to
gain access to a flock of sheep illegitimately (v. 1) compared to the animal’s
true shepherd who enters by the door (v. 2).
The thieves come to steal, kill and destroy while the true shepherd
comes to give life (v. 10). The key
point in this section comes in verse 9 when Jesus explains that He alone is the
path to salvation. Jesus then explains
that He is also the Good Shepherd (v. 11) who sacrifices Himself for the sheep,
laying down His life for them (v. 11).
The Good Shepherd has a relationship with His sheep, He knows His sheep
and His sheep know Him (v. 14). Once
again we see that the people were divided in their opinions, some received
Christ’s teachings, others resisted (v. 19-21).
In verse 22 we find Jesus in the temple.
The people asked Jesus to clearly tell them if He is the promised
Messiah (v. 24). Jesus responded that
His works bear witness about Him (v. 25) and that their unbelief came from not
being part of His flock. This upset the
Jews and they tried to execute Him (v. 31).
Jesus goes on to deflect their criticism by quoting Psalm 82:6. He used their adherence to the letter of the
law against them and then again stated that His works showed His identity (v.
38-39). Furthermore, the crowds agreed
that all that John the Baptist had prophesied about Jesus was true and many
believed in Him (v. 40-42).
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Jesus is the only path to salvation and a rich
life full of joy and overflowing with meaning and fellowship with God, yet so
many Christians are trying to pursue other paths simultaneously. Many spend way too much time pursuing
careers, hobbies, personal fulfillment, material things, success,
relationships, etc. instead of fully pursuing God. Ask the Lord to show you the things that get
in the way of you fully pursuing God.
Confess these things as sin.
2. Ask Him to show you how you can balance your life
in such a way that He is first in all that you do. Pray that you would follow through on what He
shows you.
3. Does your lifestyle show that you know Christ? Ask the Lord to show you areas of your life
where you are not reflecting His
Lordship and then ask Him to show you what He is requiring of you in that
area.
