John 10
by Philip Layton
Those who oppose Jesus do so on the grounds of his claims to be God
Discussion Questions
- Who could ‘the gatekeeper’ be referring to?
- In verses 30-33 Jesus calls himself the Son of God, and refers to God the Father. The two are one, both are God and the Jews understood perfectly well that this was his teaching. How helpful are these verses to those who struggle with belief in the Trinity?
Share your thoughts below, or tweet about it with the #boundlessbible hashtag. Don't forget this week's Children's Challenge!
Going Deeper from 'Words of Life'
A bout two years ago I attended the funeral for a relatively young Salvation Army officer – Lieut-Colonel Dirk van Duinen – who died very suddenly. His wife mourned her beloved, his sons grieved for their father. All too frequently we lose people who seem too young to die. The psalm referenced at Dirk’s funeral was a familiar one:
The Lord is my shepherd… Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death … you are with me (Psalm 23:1, 4).
The Good Shepherd – who loves his ‘sheep’, calling us by name (John 10:3). One who brings much comfort. And as the shepherd knows his sheep, so too do the sheep know their shepherd:
‘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’ (vv 14, 15).
The Good Shepherd gives to us a real sense of security and safety – he looks out for and cares for us. We live in a world where anything can happen, at any moment. It could be a natural disaster or a man-made catastrophe. Things happen in our personal life that can change everything – in the blink of an eye. Yet our Good Shepherd is right with us and promises never to leave us. He protects our soul, bringing peace to our inner being.
Jesus came into the world to care for and love lost ‘sheep’: lost men and women. But not only this – the Good Shepherd also brings abundant life; a life that is rich and full:
‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (v 10).
Are we living life to the full? If not, we can begin right now!
Beverly Ivany
Tags: John