Continues from: John 10:1-10 The Shepherd's Door of Forgiveness Joh 10:11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. Does this mean what we are commonly taught in regards to atonement for sin or something else?
Well unfortunately, Jesus did not come and minister in the western world or in more modern times or else he may just have used other analogies other than herding, farming etc.
Think about it, in modern times, would a shepherd say a local herds-boy in Africa, tackle a hyena or other carnivore if he saw one of the "flock" being attacked - he may - if he is brave enough try shoe them away but that is all. More likely he would herd the remainder back to safety and sacrifice the unfortunate prey.
So what is Jesus alluding to here - laying down his life?
Read on.. Joh 10:12 But he who is a hireling and not the shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away. And the wolf catches them and scatters the sheep.
Joh 10:13 The hireling flees, because he is a hireling and does not care for the sheep. Aah we see a shepherd that is a hireling - yet we are also commonly taught that "pastors' are shepherds. They receive a salary do they not - thus in essence they are "hirelings"? Ever noticed how when a "pastor" falls how the flock are disillusioned or scattered? This happens when folk follow a man as opposed to following Christ.
There is a nice OT text that warns of this Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we depend on the LORD our God. (Net) The laying down of His life had nothing to do with the impending crucifixion - it had more to do with the priorities of Jesus. Now if a pastor would lay down his life for you, would you expect him to die in your place? I do not think so. Likely you would assume that he would put your interest/needs before his own - met any folk like that recently? Joh 10:14 I am the Good Shepherd, and I know those that are Mine, and I am known by those who are Mine. Now let us take this verse literally. Think back. When you "got saved" did you really know the Shepherd/Jesus Christ? Well if you did then I guess you are special. I did not! I know Calvinists banter this text around as a proof text of "election" but IMO that is flawed.
Only one we have had the revelation of who the Father is (John 6:44) do we then adhere to the second part of Joh 10:14 - and I am known by those who are Mine. Joh 10:15 Even as the Father knows Me, I also know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. Again here, we see there is a relationship between Jesus and the Father and again, Jesus talks of laying down his life. Let us say you are called into ministry and particular say missionary work and not some grandiose Hollywood styled ministry with lights camera and "action" - out of site in a really rural area with little luxury if any at all; would you not consider that laying down your life? You obey the call or you don't. Joh 10:16 And I have other sheep who are not of this fold. I must also lead those, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one Shepherd[/color].
Joh 10:17 Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I might take it again.
Joh 10:18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down from Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. I have received this commandment from My Father. Seems that Jesus was delegated with this authority and not as the trinitarians teach He was "authorized' because he was God incarnate.
Jesus knew the final outcome of His ministry and IMO was revealed to Him by the Father. Clearly, Jesus knew the Father intimately and knew that He will be raised from the dead. He had received a commandment from the Father. Many see the laying down of His life as a sacrifice for sin, I do not, however here we see that Jesus knew what was required and how the age of the law was passing away. Joh 10:19 Then a division occurred again among the Jews because of these words.
Joh 10:20 And many of them said, He has a demon and is insane. Why do you hear him?
Joh 10:21 Others said, These are not words of one who has been possessed by a demon. A demon is not able to open the eyes of blind ones. Yup, they all could not see the indwelling of the Father's love that was totally foreign to them. Joh 10:22 And the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem, and it was winter.
Joh 10:23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's Porch.
Joh 10:24 Then the Jews encircled Him and said to Him, How long do you make us doubt? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.
Joh 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you and you did not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.
Joh 10:26 But you did not believe because you are not of My sheep. As I said to you, Nowhere does Christ admit who He is, why? He did not want the focus on Himself and He wanted the Father to reveal it to them just like it would happen/happened to Peter.
Here Jesus again defers all works to the Father. Interesting that He came for the lost sheep of Israel and here He clearly tells them, you are not of my Sheep. Is that not a contradiction of terms? I do not think so. By inference we may see that the laws they adhered to were not of the Father in the first place, starting to see this more and more. Again I defer to John 6:44 which is key - Unless the Father draws them, they are not part of His sheep - to each in his/her own time.
I maintain, the Father's Grace has never changed once - it has always existed and many prophets of the OT tried to set the folk straight but they preferred their system of god-in-a- box Joh 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. This infers to me that the sheep already knew how to discern the Father's voice and they follow Jesus (the way Jesus taught) Nothing conditional here of making a choice, merely a statement of fact Joh 10:28 And I give to them eternal life, and they shall never ever perish, and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand. Profound verse. I give, not I shall give, never perish not anyone shall pluck them out. Pretty clear here, Jesus knew the big plan and knew already that the Father wanted restoration of all men. Joh 10:29 My Father who gave them to me is greater than all, and no one is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand. Re-emphasized NO ONE and that includes you and I and our supposed choice in the matter. Joh 10:30 I and the Father are one! I too can make this statement boldly. It does not mean as the trinitarians teach that Jesus and the Father are the same deity. Simply, it means that Jesus and the Father (knowing the Father's heart) were of one accord, in agreement, in one mindset. Scroll back a bit, Jesus does not take the glory, He defers to the Father, honors the Father in all things and He said: Joh 10:15a Even as the Father knows Me, I also know the Father. So all repeat after me: "I and the Father are one" Joh 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.
Joh 10:32 Jesus answered them, I have shown you many good works from My Father; for which of these do you stone Me?
Joh 10:33 The Jews answered Him, saying, We do not stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy, and because you, being a man, make yourself God. Out comes the rock brigade. I am sure they only had to reach into their heads for rocks. They clearly had no clue what Jesus was trying to share with them. Joh 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, "I said, You are gods?"
Joh 10:35 If He called those gods with whom the Word of God was, and the Scripture cannot be broken,
Joh 10:36 do you say of Him whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, You blaspheme, because I said, I am the Son of God?
Joh 10:37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me.
Joh 10:38 But if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works so that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him. Psa 82:6 I have said, You are gods; and all of you sons of the Most High.
This comes from Psalm 82:6 (check the link)
Again Jesus takes their law (your law – not God's law) and tries to make a point.
Yup, in spite of the works, in spite of what He said, they just could not see it. Amazing how the law blinds folk - go to the law - the veil comes down.
Can you say "The Father is in me and I am in the Father?" Try it you might like it. Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loves Me, he will keep My Word. And My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. Where is the Father? Not in some place far, far away in la la land, He is IN YOUR HEART. You are His temple. Joh 10:39 Then they again sought to seize Him, but He went forth out of their hand.
Joh 10:40 And He went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John baptized at the first, and He stayed there.
Joh 10:41 And many came to Him and said, John indeed did no miracle, but all things that John said concerning this One were true.
Joh 10:42 And many believed on Him there. How has the church hidden the message of the Father with the trinity doctrine?
We know that Jesus came to seek out and save the lost. What was lost? The people or the relationship with the Father?
This song comes to mind: Heaven Is In My Heart
Ooooooh…
Heaven is in my heart
(repeat 3 times)
The kingdom of our God is here
Heaven is in my heart
The presence of His majesty
Heaven is in my heart
And in His presence Joy abounds
Heaven is in my heart
The light of Holiness surrounds
Heaven is in my heart
Ooooooh… Heaven is in my heart (repeat)
We are a temple for His throne
Heaven is in my heart
And Christ is the foundation stone
Heaven is in my heart
He will return to take us home - (upon death not cloud surfing with Jesus)
Heaven is in my heart
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!"
Heaven is in my heart
Ooooooh…Heaven is in my heart (repeat) Blessings
Next Study: coming soon
All references to MKJV quoted NKJV linked
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