John chapter 10

I left a verse off Chapter 9!

vs 41

If they actually were blind (not physically but spiritually, because Jesus is the light of the world) then they wouldn't be guilty of their sin, that is, the sin of rejecting Jesus. They would just be ignorant.

But because they are happy with the revelation of God through the law, and moreover with their interpretation of it, then they really are guilty, and that guilt will remain with them till the end of time. Ouch.

NOW...

Chapter 10

vs 1

We have to assume that Jesus' words are still to the Pharisees here. Of course, he's not speaking specifically to the Pharisees - the ex-blind guy is still there I assume, and if there was some Pharisees within earshot, then perhaps he's in the temple, or just in some public place.

Now, you really have to follow this parable closely. Thankfully, Jesus explains it, because I think we'd simplify it.

So he starts off with the fact that people who enter a sheep pen through some way other than the front gate are up to no good. That applies to most things I guess - the guy climbing through your window better wear a big red hat and your house better be on fire, otherwise he's probably up to no good.

vs 2

Someone who enters properly has a reason to be there. Like a shepherd. Or perhaps a sheep.

vs 3

Sheep are funny creatures, but they do know who looks after them, and they do come when called. Sheep and cows are domesticated - by now, they like hanging with humans. But they can recognise the good ones and the ones they don't know. Something everyone who heard Jesus would know, and something I guess less of us are aware of.

vs 4

Remember, this isn't the time of big business farming with millions of sheep - you just have your own sheep, just a few, and so you can look after them yourself.

vs 5

And they do that too. And if you've ever tried to catch a sheep, well, it's fun.

vs 6

Ok, so it's all well and good that Jesus said these things, but even the people around him didn't get why he was saying it. "Thanks for the farmyard lesson, Jesus, I'll be sure to pat my sheep some more so they follow me. Your point being?"

vs 7

So Jesus explains himself, and it's not what you're first expecting. You're expecting Jesus to be the shepherd, or at the very least the watchman. But no, first of all, he is the gate. So Jesus is an entry point into a safe place.

vs 8

This verse obviously shows that there have been pretenders to the role of Messiah in the past. I mean, Jesus can't be saying that Moses, Elijah, and the other prophets were fakes and the real sheep didn't listen to them. So instead, he's talking about people who were fakes. He's the real deal, but he has also protected his selected sheep from the fakers.

vs 9

Will be saved or will be kept safe. The sheep of Jesus' flock get the good life. Notice that it's not just about protection behind the wall and gates of Jesus - it is about finding pasture, so it is protection but also care.

vs 10

False messiahs and those people who pretend that they are leading people towards God (and most of them probably know they are pretending) are in it to steal and kill and destroy. Just think of the picture of the charlatan tent-revival faith healer in the USA and how much damage that has done to Christianity, or the money-grubbing televangelist.

Jesus isn't like that. He hasn't come to steal the sheep, or kill them. He has come to look after them, to give them a good life and a long life. Eternally, that is. This life will still have thieves and destruction.