Devotional Questions:
John 10:3-5
- Just as sheep “follow [the shepherd] because they know his voice,” have I learned to recognize Jesus’ voice?
- Are there other voices that I heed that have muffled Jesus’ voice in my life?
John 10:1-2, 7-10
“The sudden shift of metaphor from shepherd to gate seems rather strange to us, but in reality it is not. When the sheep returned to the fold at night after a day of grazing, the shepherd stood in the doorway of the pen and inspected each one as it entered. … After all the sheep had been counted and brought into the pen, the shepherd lay down across the doorway so that no intruder—man or beast—could enter without his knowledge. The shepherd became the door. The emphatic singular pronoun ‘I’ (ego) emphasizes that the shepherd is the sole determiner of who enters the fold and who is excluded. It parallels the later statement: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:16).”[1]
- The thief represented “all who came before” who claimed some authority to guide the sheep. What modern-day authorities or sources tell people how to live and where to find pasture? In what ways is it accurate that the end result of such thieves’ voices is to “steal and kill and destroy” people’s lives?
- How have I experienced Jesus as the “gate” for my life to keep “the thief” away?
- How does having Jesus as the gate help me to “have life, and have it to the full?” In what ways have I experienced this abundant life in Christ?
John 10:11, 14-15
- What are the characteristics of a good shepherd? Reflect on the fact that Jesus, as my good shepherd, laid down his life for me.
- In what sense does Jesus’ words “I know my sheep and my sheep know me” describe my relationship with Christ?
Additional Questions:
John 10:17-18
“‘Authority’ means that he was not the helpless victim of his enemies’ violence but that he had both the right and the power to become the instrument of reconciliation between man and God and between Jew and Gentile.”[2]
- How is the fact that Jesus laid down his life on his own provide the greatest proof of His love for me? Who are the people who have laid down their lives so that I could receive salvation? Who are the people for whom I need to do the same?
John 10:27-29
- How do Jesus’ words “no one can snatch them out of my hand” encourage me in my struggles today?
John 10:31-33
“Jesus’ question challenged the people’s action on the ground that he had performed only helpful deeds. His question was designed to make them take stock of what he had done. Then they would see that stoning would be incongruous with his actions. The Jews replied that the question was not the quality of his works but the nature of his claims, and they charged him with blasphemy.”[3]
- Jesus’ “many great miracles” were met with acceptance, while his “claim to be God” elicited a violent response. Why did the Jews accept his deeds, but reject his claim to be God?
- In what ways does the world accept Jesus’ deeds and “many great miracles” while rejecting his words and “claim to be God?” Are there areas of my life today in which I am rejecting Jesus’ “claim to be God?”
John 10:37
- Jesus’ life was characterized by doing what the Father does (cf. John 5:19). What is revealed about the Father through Jesus’ life? What are the things I am doing which echo the characteristic activity of God, as revealed in Jesus?
[1] Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) notes for chapter 10.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
Commentary:
vv. 1-6 “Jesus assumes his audience understands the scene he is constructing. In the desert at night sheep were often herded into walled enclosures that either backed up against a cliff face or were at the end of a canyon. Such enclosures (still used today by Palestinian shepherds in the Judean desert) had waist-high stone walls topped with thorny branches. Such a pen was entirely for safety so that the sheep would not become prey to wild animals. One small doorway (or opening) in the wall served as the only entrance and exit. The shepherd would either close this area with dry thornbushes or would himself serve as sentry in the opening.
“Not only can sheep identify rightful shepherds by their access through the main gate, but they also recognize the voice of their shepherd (10:3 – 5). The Middle Eastern shepherd is well known for having a personal devotion to his sheep. He talks to them and sings to them. Often shepherds will carry a short flute and use a repeated tune so that the flock has a consistent auditory cue to follow. Jesus notes that this shepherd does not simply lead any sheep but rather leads ‘his own’ (10:3b).”[1]
vv. 7-10 “Who are these ‘thieves and robbers’ who have come before Jesus (10:8)? Some have argued that they are false messiahs in the first century, and we know that there were many. But the most likely target of Jesus’ criticism is the Pharisees, who have been the subject of Jesus’ teaching since chapter 9. Since the Maccabean era Jerusalem had witnessed many leaders who qualified as ‘false shepherds.’”[2]
vv. 11-21 “The unique love and intimacy between the Father and the Son is the model that determines the relationship of Jesus to his flock. Jesus now probes the deeper meaning of the Father’s love for him (10:17 – 19). The fundamental element in this relationship is Jesus’ dependence on and obedience to God’s will. This is expressed utterly in his willingness to die on the cross. We must avoid the idea that in giving his life, the Son wins the Father’s love. The Father gives everything into the Son’s hands (3:35), shows him everything (5:20), gives him life (5:26), and gives his own glory (17:24) and name (17:26). Indeed, the Father has loved the Son from the ‘creation of the world’ (17:24). Jesus’ voluntary death therefore is a hallmark of his union with the Father’s will and an expression of the love they share together.”[3]
vv. 22-42 “The crowd is looking for an unambiguous statement about Jesus’ identity. ‘How long will you keep us in suspense?’ (10:24) can also be translated, ‘How long will you annoy us?’ Are these people seeking clarity or are they antagonistic? What they want is an open, clear statement from Jesus about his messiahship, and no doubt they are poised to judge him if his answer is not to their liking. Thus far Jesus has not made an explicit, public claim to be the Christ. He did this privately to the Samaritan woman (4:26) and the blind man (9:35 – 36), and many have already offered this statement of faith.
“But given the explosive, highly politicized views of the Messiah in this period, it is not surprising that Jesus has used restraint so far. He has used images in the festivals and allusions from the Old Testament. Now his audience wants a ‘plain’ statement (cf. 7:4, 13). But we have already learned that even if Jesus were to speak plainly, only his ‘sheep’ would recognize his voice (10:26). Ironically, his shepherd sermon was just such a disclosure, but they have not ‘heard’ it.”[4]
[1] Burge, Gary M. “John 10:1 – 42” In The NIV Application Commentary: John. By Gary M. Burge, 284-308. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.