BY THE DOOR. The sheepfold is a symbol of the Kingdom church [_see note on_ Matthew 16:18], and Christ is the one door into it. A sheepfold was a roofless enclosure with walls made of loose stone or thorn bushes, with only one door opening into it. The sheep are led into the sheepfold at night, to p... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO GOES IN BY THE DOOR. The door is for the shepherd and the sheep. One who climbs over the wall is a thief and a robber.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GATEKEEPER OPENS THE GATE FOR HIM. The shepherd led the sheep into the sheepfold through the door, and the gatekeeper fastened the door from the inside and stayed with the sheep all night as a "night-watchman." [Some make this "gatekeeper" symbolize God.] In the morning, the shepherd comes to ge... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WILL NOT FOLLOW SOMEONE ELSE. Jesus is saying that the Pharisees are thieves and robbers who have seized control of the sheepfold. The people ran away from them, because they did not recognize their voice (see note on Matthew 9:36). [The Jewish authorities fulfilled the prophecies about the fal... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND. Because the idea of _loving care_ was so _alien_ to them.... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM THE DOOR FOR THE SHEEP. He is the ONE DOOR for all, both sheep and shepherds.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL OTHERS WHO CAME BEFORE ME. The false messiahs of the past. They could not fulfill the prophecies about the Messiah. Rather than coming in through the _door,_ they climbed over the wall!... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOEVER COMES IN BY ME WILL BE SAVED. The "door" allows the sheep to enter, and therefore is symbolic of _coming in_ to protection and shelter; and _going out_ to freedom and life. [Christ is _at the same time_ the door, the shepherd and the pasture. He is the bread of life and the water of life.]... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THIEF COMES. All who refuse to come in through the door, have a _bad purpose_ in mind. I HAVE COME. Jesus came to be the Life-giver! He promises _life in all its fulness_ in this world and in the world to come! Compare _Psalms 23;_ Philippians 4:4-9.... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. This title is applied to Jehovah in _Psalms 23;_ Ezekiel 34:11-12. The shepherd often had to defend his flock from enemies. He is willing to die for his sheep!... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HIRED MAN. Both a shepherd and a hired man take care of sheep for a profit. The difference is in attitude!... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DOES NOT CARE FOR THE SHEEP. When danger threatens, he is willing to sacrifice the sheep to try to save himself! Compare note on Matthew 10:39.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE ARE OTHER SHEEP. The Gentiles. People "sort themselves out" by responding to Christ's _call_ which comes through the Gospel. See note on John 6:37.... [ Continue Reading ]
I GIVE IT UP OF MY OWN FREE WILL. This destroys the idea that Jesus came to set up a political kingdom, but _was frustrated_ by being crucified. Jesus _gave himself_ for man of his own free will! This does not take away the guilt of those who murdered him (Acts 2:36). God chose this way to rescue ma... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAIN THERE WAS A DIVISION. See notes on Matthew 10:34-39.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FEAST OF DEDICATION. Two months have passed. This feast celebrated the restoration and re-dedication of the Temple by the Jewish patriot Judas Maccabeus in 165 B.C. It lasted eight days, and began about December 10th.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE JEWS GATHERED AROUND HIM. The Jewish authorities. They do not ask this for information, but to try to incriminate him.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE ALREADY TOLD YOU. See John 5:19; John 8:36; John 8:56; John 8:58; John 9:39.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE. There is plenty of evidence to make them believe! Failure to be Christ's sheep was the evidence, not the cause, of their unbelief.... [ Continue Reading ]
I GIVE THEM ETERNAL LIFE. Not just eternal existence, but eternal happiness! All will live forever, but not all will share God's promise (see John 5:28-29 and notes).... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NO ONE CAN SNATCH THEM AWAY. That is, those sheep who hear his voice and follow him. So long as they remain under his grace, they are safe, (see Romans 8:33-39; Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Peter 1:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FATHER AND I ARE ONE. Jesus declares a UNITY exists between he and the Father [and the Holy Spirit], without limitations or restrictions. PICKED UP STONES. [Herod had rebuilt the temple, but it was not yet finished. There would be plenty of stones lying around.] See note on John 8:59.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT BECAUSE OF THE WAY. Because he said: "The Father and I are one." Jesus declared that his good works proved his calm; they declared he was only a man, nothing more.... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS WRITTEN IN YOUR OWN LAW. Psalms 82:6. [Note Jesus includes the Psalms in the Law.] YOU ARE GODS. Their own judges [rulers] had been called "gods" in the Scriptures. This was because God's message [commission] was given to them. THE FATHER CHOSE ME AND SENT ME. If the purely human judges can be... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF I DO THEM. "Actions speak louder than words.... [ Continue Reading ]
ONCE MORE THEY TRIED TO ARREST HIM. Their "violence" is _cooled down_ by the quiet words of Jesus, and they drop their stones. But they still reject him and intend to arrest him.... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS WENT BACK AGAIN. See John 1:28. Jesus had spent nearly three months in Jerusalem in a stormy ministry. Twice they attempted to "mob" him (John 8:59; John 10:31). Twice they attempted to arrest him (John 7:32; John 10:39). His time to die would not come for about three months, the time for the... [ Continue Reading ]