Lesson #21

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John

September 21, 2015

Lesson #01

January 13, 2010

Lesson #02

January 13, 2010

RETURN TO SYLLABUS

JOHN 10
Lesson #21
JESUS, THE DOOR AND THE GOOD SHEPHERD

• Memory verse: John 10:11

• John 10 is the closest this gospel comes to a true parable with a teaching by Jesus in symbolic form. Verse 6 calls it a parable, but the Greek word is different than the word, parable, in the other gospels. Here in the gospel of John, it is the word for, allegory. However, because this teaching is in symbolic form, we will deal with it in the same way we deal with parables by identifying the meaning of the basic elements and arriving at a central truth.
• This symbolic teaching illustrates two “I am” statements of deity that Jesus makes in this chapter.
• Jesus says, “I am the door” (7) and “I am the good shepherd” (11).
• Read Joh 10:1-5 The sheepfold
• Identification of the symbols:
• The sheepfold = Judaism from which Jesus would call out those sheep to be part of the family of God
• The good shepherd = Jesus Christ
• The sheep = Jewish people in general and / or specifically Jewish believers who are called to be God’s people.
• The gate / door = Jesus Christ
• The porter = God, the Father
• The thief and the robber = False teachers and false prophets
• The stranger = Anyone who preaches another gospel than that of Jesus Christ.
• Verification of the meaning of the symbols:
• How do we know from scripture that these are the meanings of these symbols?
• Scripture always interprets itself. We find many cases throughout scripture for the identification and verification of these symbols: (Isa 40:11 Jer 31:10 Zec 10:2-3 Zec 11:15-17)
• Read Eze 34:1-16 and Jer 23:1-3
• In these passages we have the same symbols that God applied through prophecy to the religious leaders as the negligent pastors of God’s people, the sheep. These sheep would one day see the true shepherd, the Messiah, come to care for the sheep.
• “He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold…”

(1)

• During the day, the sheep grazed the fields, but at night the shepherd moved the sheep into an area surrounded by a fence of branches or a stone wall 8 to 10 feet tall. This was called a sheepfold. Often it was a public area what contained numerous flocks and controlled by a porter. There was only one doorway into the sheepfold. Often the shepherd would lie across the doorway to the sheepfold to make sure that no one entered to steal the sheep. The only other way into the sheepfold was to go over the fence.
• Jesus Christ came through the door, in other words, legitimately through Judaism and under the law, (Gal 4:4) in the line of David and through prophecy to call out a few faithful sheep.
• God established the way by which man should come to God. That way was to be through faith in the Messiah who would die on the cross for the remission of sins. However, the Jewish leadership imposed a burdensome legal structure. They promised the people salvation if they kept those laws when, according to the illustration, they are the ones who climbed over the fence.
• “the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name…”

(3)

• A number of flocks would share a sheepfold at night. In the morning, each shepherd would call out his own sheep. The sheep recognized the voice of the shepherd.
• Those who belong to Jesus Christ, recognize His voice and have an eagerness to hear His Word.
• Because the shepherd lived constantly with his sheep, he knew them intimately and had a name for each one. The sheep were accustomed to the shepherd’s voice and gained comfort from it.
• There was a mutual relationship between the shepherd and the sheep. Not only does the shepherd know the sheep intimately, but the sheep know the shepherd intimately.
• This should be the Christian’s experience and relationship with Jesus Christ.
• “And a stranger will they not follow…”

(5)

• Sheep will not follow a stranger’s voice. In fact, they flee from the voice of a stranger.

• Read Joh 10:6-10 Jesus expands the illustration
• Who is the “them” in verse 6?
• Jesus is speaking to the religious Jewish leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees.
• Identification of symbols:
• The pasture = eternal life filled with the abundant blessings of a life with God.
• “…I am the door of the sheep.”

(7)

• This is the third major “I am” statement of deity that Jesus makes in this gospel.
• The illustration is the shepherd who lies down at the door of the sheepfold. He protects his sheep.
• As the sheep entered the door of the sheepfold at night, the shepherd would run his hands over each individual sheep to detect cuts or burrs caught in the hair. In this way he would care for the needs of his sheep, anointing them with oil to heal the cuts.
• Therefore, Jesus’ statement that He is the door tells us the following about His role as the Messiah:
• Jesus is the way (door) out of Judaism (the sheepfold). (Like the blind man Jesus just healed and was excommunicated in Joh 9.)
• Jesus is the way (door) into the family of God (a new flock).
• There is no other way into the family of God (the new flock) but through Jesus (the door)
• Jesus knows those who trust in Him.
• Jesus protects those who trust in Him.
• Jesus ministers to those who trust in Him.
• “All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers but the sheep did not hear them.”

(8)

• In Israel’s past history there were many false teachers, false prophets, and false Messiah’s. Because they were not led by God, but by Satan, they sought to persuade the flock of Israel to follow them. However, the majority of the people did not listen for long to these fakes. In fact, the majority of Jews still wait for their Messiah. (Jer 10:21

The Religious Jewish Leaders as False Shepherds	Jesus Christ, the True Shepherd
They did not know God	He enters into the presence of God, the Father, directly (3)
They did not know the needs of the people	He knows the needs of the people (14)
They led the people away from God	He leads the people to God (28-29)
They fled when danger threatened	He provides protection for the people (28)
They had no love for the people	He lays down his life in love for the people (17)
They had evil motives	He worked to please God, the Father (30)

• “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

(9)

• Notice that Jesus says a person must “enter in” to be saved.
• Salvation is not automatic and universal. A person must make a conscious decision of his free will as to whether he will enter into the family of God (the sheepfold) or not.
• Notice that Jesus says a person must enter “by me”. As the door, Jesus is the only entrance into salvation in the family of God.
• Once a person has made a conscious decision and received Jesus Christ in his heart by faith in Jesus’ shed blood, he is “saved”. In other words, he is saved from the presence, the power, and the punishment of sin which is eternal death and separation from God. Instead, he has received eternal life which is an eternal state of blessing in the presence of God (the pasture).
• “,,,, and shall go in and out,,, (9)
• This phrase simply refers to the freedom the believer has in Jesus Christ to enjoy the blessings of provision and protection without fear of attack from the enemy.
• These blessings do not wait for the future eternal condition but belong to the believer the minute he receives Jesus Christ as his savior.
• Read John 6:54
• Remember we discussed how this verse is in the present tense and not strictly in the future tense, which indicates that the minute we identify ourselves with Jesus Christ, we have eternal life.
• “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

(10)

• Eternal life in Jesus Christ is an abundant life here and now, and in the future condition of eternity.
• Abundant life is a life full of the blessings of God beyond what we can imagine. It is like a cup filled to the top and overflowing.

• Read Joh 10:11-18 The Good Shepherd

• “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

(11)

• Jesus said that He is the good shepherd in the context of this illustration of the sheepfold.
• What we have learned about the shepherd who lies at the door of the sheepfold, is consistent with Jesus’ statement that He is not only the door but the shepherd who lies at the door.
• He gives his life for the sheep.
• This is another indication that He knew of his impending death on the cross.
• The shepherd would place himself between his sheep and an attacking animal. He would sacrifice his life to protect the sheep.
• It is interesting to notice that Jesus is not only the door and the good shepherd, but he is also the sacrificed Passover lamb who was sacrificed for the sins of the people.
• Identification of symbols:
• The wolf = Satan
• The other sheep = Gentile believers
• The hireling = a false Messiah
• The one fold or flock = the true believers in Jesus Christ whether they be Jews or Gentiles.
• “…an hireling…leaveth the sheep, and fleeth:…”

(12)

• A false Messiah, supposedly hired by Satan, does not really care for God’s people (the sheep). He does not see his job as that of a protector of the sheep. Instead, he deceives the people (the sheep) into following him only to destroy and scatter them.
• The false Messiah lets Satan destroy and scatter the sheep.
• “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.”

(16)

• The other sheep are the Gentiles that are not part of the Jewish people.
• Jesus’ statement is a prophecy that opens the door of salvation to the Gentiles.
• Notice His intent, “I must bring”.
• God’s plan included the salvation of the Gentiles from the beginning.
• God told the Jews that they were to be a light to the Gentiles.
• Read Isa 49:6
• Because the Jews failed this responsibility as a people, God called the apostle Paul to take the light to the gentiles.
• Notice the phrase, “and they shall hear my voice” (16)
• Through the Apostle Paul in the book of Acts, the Gentiles did hear the call of God and through the church age, many are saved and brought into the family of God.
• “…there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (16)
• Jewish believers and Gentile believers are included together in God’s one family and all with Jesus Christ as the one true shepherd.
• Unity among believers is not based on one physical location or one denomination, but based on the fact that we have one shepherd, Jesus Christ.
• “…I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.”

(17-18)

• We have seen many times previously in the gospel of John that Jesus knew of His coming death. Now, for the first time, we see His knowledge of His coming resurrection.
• Jesus was not a martyr.
• A martyr is someone who is taken by force and killed for some cause. He has no choice in the matter if he is to stay faithful to his cause.
• Jesus Christ remained true to God’s cause, but willingly submitted himself to the crucifixion.
• He had the power to resist and overcome his enemies, but He willingly did not. Why?
• Jesus knew he was the Passover lamb that must be killed for the sins of the people. (Joh 1:29)
• He had the power to resurrect from the dead.
• “…This commandment have I received of my Father.”

(18)

• God’s plan of salvation through the death of Jesus on the cross existed from eternity past.
• It was God’s command that Jesus submit himself to this eternal plan. (Heb 9:26 Rev 13:8)

God’s Eternal Plan From the Foundation of the World
“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.”	Mat 13:35
“ inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”	Mat 25:34
“That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation.”	Luk 11:50
“ thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”	Joh 17:24
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,”	Eph 1:4
“ the works were finished from the foundation of the world.”	Heb 4:3
“For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”	Heb 9:26
“Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”	1Pet 1:20
“ whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”	Rev 13:8 Rev 17:8

• Read Joh 10:19-21 The response
• The division among the Jewish leaders was obvious and definitive.
• Some understood and believed what Jesus said was truth from God.
• Others did not understand and thought He was demon possessed.
• Summary:
• What is the central truth of Jesus’ teaching in Joh 10:1-18?
• There is only one way to be part of God’s family and that is through Jesus Christ, who is both the means to salvation and the guide.
• Israel’s religious rulers robbed the Jews of salvation because they did not come to God in the way God had planned.

• Read Joh 10:22-42 At the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah)
• What is the Feast of Dedication?
• This is a feast that God did not initiate in Leviticus, but was begun in response to an historical event. It is, therefore, called an extra-biblical feast and occurs about 2 months after the Feast of Tabernacles in our month of December.
• An evil Syrian ruler, Antiochus Epiphanes IV ruled Israel. He hated the Jews. To show his contempt for them, he offered a hog on the Jewish altar in the Jerusalem temple. He also erected an idol of Zeus in the temple. The Jews were ordered to worship Zeus and other foreign gods. Twenty miles from Jerusalem, a Jewish priest named Mattathias Hasmoneas killed a fellow Jew offering a sacrifice to Zeus. He also killed the king’s local agent. This event set off a series of Jewish revolts called the Maccabean wars. These wars take place after the book of Malachi and before the book of Matthew. Antiochus Epiphanes built a fortress called Akra in Jerusalem to withstand these revolts. The Jews rallied around the third son of Mattathias. His name was Judas Maccabeus, who led the Jews to victory and gained control over the temple. They rededicated the temple to God in 167 BC and lit the lamp of eternal light. That began the celebration known as Hanukkah, the festival of lights, or the Feast of Dedication. This feast was celebrated in Joh 10 and is still celebrated today.
• Jesus was in the temple when the Jews confronted him.

• “…If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly”

(24)

• Jesus had already made numerous “I am” statements of deity and had performed many miracles. But they were not satisfied.
• Jesus repeats some of the statements he had made earlier in the chapter:
• Jesus’ works bear witness of Him. (25)
• Jesus’ sheep hear his voice and have a mutually intimate relationship with Him. (27)
• Jesus’ sheep inherit eternal life. (28)
• Jesus and God the Father are one. (30)
• “…neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand..”

(28)

• This concept of eternal security for the sheep of Jesus’ pasture is one Jesus had not mentioned before.
• When Jesus claimed equality with God, the Father, they immediately tried to stone Him for blasphemy. “…thou, being a man, makest thyself God..” (33)
• This blasphemy consisted of making Himself equal with God. However, it is only blasphemy if it is not true. Jesus proved it was true.
• Jesus’ puzzling explanation:

• “…Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?”

(34)

• What does this verse mean?
• Read Psa 82 and notice verse 6.
• The title of “god” was given as a title of honor and position to every judge in the time of the Judges. David and Solomon and every priest were given this title, as well, to indicate that they had the responsibility to minister the Word of God. They were God’s official representatives.(Exo 4:16 Exo 7:1)
• Even though these Old Testament figures were anointed by men, they were given the title. Jesus wonders why they are so upset when He was anointed by God, the Father. He then refers to himself as the Son of God. (36)
• Jesus did not usually refer to himself with this title. He usually used the phrase, Son of Man, to identify himself with man.
• “…believe the works: that ye may know, and believe.

” (38)

• Jesus encouraged people to believe His words, but if they found them too difficult, they should believe the miracles that He did in order to know and believe that He and the Father were one.
• Jesus’ challenge to the Jews:
• Believe in the miracles and you will believe in the oneness of God, the Father and Jesus Christ. (38)
• Some took the challenge and believed in Him. (42)
• Many still tired to kill Him, but God’s timing was not yet perfect.
• Summary:
• What does this passage teach about miracles?
• Jesus’ miracles came from God as an announcement of the Messiah’s identity.
• What are the credentials of Jesus Christ?
• Jesus’ works are His credentials.
• The inseparable sheep (believers) of Jesus Christ given to Jesus by God, the Father, are His credentials.

Jesus Three-fold Ministry of the Good Shepherd Psa 22 Psa 23 Psa 24
The Suffering, Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep (Psa 22 Joh 10:11)
	The Good Shepherd is the door of entrance into God’s family and the protection for the sheep (Joh 10:9)
The Great Shepherd raised from the dead for the perfecting of the sheep (Psa 23 Joh 10:17 Heb 13:20)
	The Good Shepherd provides for the sheep with anointing oil and pasture (Joh 10:9)
The Chief Shepherd will come in glory to give crowns of reward to faithful shepherds (Psa 24 1Pet 5:4)
		The Good Shepherd gives the sheep eternal life (Joh 10:28)

 

• There are three kinds of sheep in God’s flock, the church, which one are you?

• =1=

The Fence Sheep who eat close to a fence always longing for the greener grass on the other side of the fence.

• =2=

The Maverick Sheep who are rebellious and always getting lost going their own way.

• =3=

The Obedient Sheep who follow the shepherd.

HOMEWORK
John 11
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of Joh 10
• What specific comfort can you gain personally from knowing that Jesus is the Door and the Good Shepherd?

• Preparation for Joh 11
• Read Joh 11:1-44
• Why did Jesus wait so long before going to Bethany?
• What are the similarities between sleep and physical death?
• What do you learn about faith from the raising of Lazarus?
• What does this passage teach you about life and death?
• How do you explain two apparent contradictory verses: Heb 9:27 and Joh 11:25?
• Read Joh 11:45-57
• What was the religious leader’s predicament?

• Memory verse: John 11:25