“The Good Shepherd”

 

BIBLE READING: John 9-10


In John 9, we see that Jesus uses a case of blindness, which the apostles, like most of the Jewish people at that time, believed was a punishment from God as an opportunity for God through Jesus to bless and teach a lesson on spiritual blindness. It is an interesting contrast as to how the “blind” man increased his faith in Jesus as the Pharisees became more hardened in spiritual blindness. As the events progressed, John lets the conversation between the former blind man and the Pharisees show their unbelief and hypocrisy. Unable to deny the miracle, the Pharisees give up on interrogating the blind man and simply insist, “we know this man is a sinner.” To this statement, the former blind man responds, “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” Later, as the blind man kneels in worship before Jesus, the Lord observes that the nearby Pharisees who claim that they are able to see are blind to the only release man will ever have from the guilt of sin.

In John 10, Jesus uses the parable of The Good Shepherd to show that Jesus had fulfilled one of the great messianic promises of the Old Testament ( Isaiah (40:11; Ezekiel 34:23; 37:24) that God would send his son to personally care for his people.

A.    Shepherd recognized, 10:1-6: As a Palestinian shepherd knows each of his sheep, and as they recognize his voice so those who belong to God will recognize and follow Jesus.

B.     Thieves and Robbers, 10:11-13: The leaders of the Jews are like thieves and robbers because they harm and use the sheep. Jesus has “come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

C.     Shepherd Gives Life, 10:11-13: The true shepherd is recognized by his willingness to give his life to preserve the sheep from danger. Soon Jesus will lay down his life on Calvary for you and me.

D.    Jesus Willingly Gives His Life, 10:14-21: The Jews were not going to be able to take the life of Jesus. It was given willingly when the time came, so that believers in every nation could become God’s “one flock.” (Richards, “Illustrated Bible Handbook,” p. 553)

 

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