Tag: John 10:11-14
“I and the Father are One.”
Scripture reading for April 18: John 10
“So the Jews gathered around Him and said to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe.” The works that I do in My Father’s Name bear witness about Me, but you do not believe because you are not among My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are One.”” John 10:24-30
Jesus spoke plainly to the Jewish religious leaders about Who He was and His mission as the Good Shepherd gathering the lost sheep. His powerful statement declaring “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11,14) and declaring Himself the ‘Door’ for the sheep would have spoken powerfully to these who knew the Scriptures of their day. He stated plainly that as the Good Shepherd, He would lay His life down for the sheep. They, as shepherds of God’s flock, were acting as hirelings who did not love the sheep or care for them. Jesus would lay down His life and take it up again because of authority granted by His Father. These statements caused great discussion and division, some accusing Jesus of being demon possessed or insane.
Jesus told the Jews that they had made a choice not to believe. He had told them He was the Good Shepherd promised by Scripture. He had demonstrated this by amazing miracles, recently healing the man blind from birth. He told them that they did not hear His voice as the Good Shepherd or believe because they were not His sheep. Jesus’ sheep know His voice and follow. Jesus gives them eternal life and they will never perish. No one can snatch them from Jesus’ hand because the Father had given them to Him. Jesus and the Father are one!
Have you struggled to hear Jesus’ teaching that He is the Good Shepherd Who calls His sheep to follow Him? From this passage, what steps could you take to hear Him better? What does Jesus mean when He declares that no one can snatch His sheep from His hand? Is this comforting to you?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for allowing me to hear the call of Jesus as my Good Shepherd. I am comforted by His protection and strong hand to hold onto me. Use me to share this Good News of Jesus as our Good Shepherd by sending me out among the wolves to gather Your sheep. Amen.
Sunday rest and reflection: Moses and Christ
When we started our journey through the Bible, I began with Luke 24. The resurrected Jesus taught his disciples on the road to Emmaus and again in the room in Jerusalem everything concerning Himself in the Law and the Prophets. (Luke 24:27, 44) The Law refers to these Books of Moses that we have been reading. As we take time to rest today, let’s think about these Books in relation to what they reveal about Jesus Christ.
Moses himself was a picture of Christ. Moses was a prophet, a priest, a servant, a shepherd, a mediator, and a deliverer. We find that Jesus is the final Word from God and holds the office of prophet and priest, as well as king (which Moses was not). Jesus was a servant, (Matthew 12:18) the Good Shepherd, (John 10:11-14) the only mediator between God and man (1Timothy 2:5) , and our deliverer (1Thessalonians 1:10) In his character description, Moses was the meekest of men. (Numbers 12:3) Jesus was humble of heart as well. (Matthew 11:28-30) Moses was faithful and obedient as was Jesus Christ. Like Christ, Moses was powerful in word and deed (Acts 7:22)!
In the account of Moses’ early life, he was a baby in Egypt and had to escape Pharaoh’s murder attempt. Jesus, as a baby, was taken to Egypt to escape Herod’s murder attempt. Both were providentially cared for by God to survive and fulfill their mission of deliverance! Moses was rejected by his brothers and as a result obtained a Gentile bride while on the back side of the desert. Jesus was rejected by His brothers and also has a Gentile bride, the Church! Moses delivered God’s people from the death angel by the blood of a Passover lamb. Jesus delivered God’s people from death by His own blood spilled on the cross! Moses was eventually accepted by his brothers. Jesus will be when He comes again! Moses led the people and fed the people and mediated their concerns. Jesus Christ is our King, Provider and Intercessor!
Take time today to think of some other aspects of our Lord that he has revealed to you as you have read these Books of Moses! May your heart burn with love for Jesus! Have a blessed day! Pastor John
Thankful for our Shepherd!
Scripture reading for June 2nd: Psalm 20-23
Key Scriptures: Psalm 23:1-3 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
David was a shepherd in his early years. His training taught him about God’s character and His tender care for each of His ‘sheep’. David experienced the leading of His Shepherd and the provision of ‘green pastures’ and ‘quiet waters’. This restoration of his soul made a deep impression and caused David to worship and write it down for us!
Rejoicing in our Shepherd: “I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. . . .I am the good Shepherd: I know My sheep and My sheep know Me–just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father–and I lay down My life for the sheep.” (John 10: 11, 14)