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#15 – Knowing God Better – John 10

In the first five verses of John 10, Jesus talks about sheep and the job of a shepherd. I’m a city girl (Chicago). So it was a little hard for me to picture all of this. Then it says…

6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant

So that puts me in good company! Ha ha. The next verse shows Jesus’ gracious heart: “So he explained it to them…”

Those involved in this parable: the sheep, a hired hand (who doesn’t care about the sheep), and the good shepherd.

Picture a small field, with a fence around it, and a gate at the opening. The sheep are gathered behind a gate. And the shepherd’s job is to stand guard at night, against thieves and wolves.

During the day, so the sheep can graze, the shepherd leads the sheep in and out of the gate. They know the shepherd, and they simply follow his voice.

Jesus says…

12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

Q – How does Jesus identify himself in this parable? And what does he offer (us) the sheep? See below.
A –

“I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures…My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Q – According to the verses below, what did Jesus say he would do for us?
A –

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.
17 “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again.

Q – In those verses you just read, why do you think Jesus states this so many times?
A –

It is going to soon appear that Jesus is forcefully arrested, crucified, at the decision of the Pharisees and Romans. Jesus will look like he has no control over the situation.

Q – According to the verses above, who is in control of Jesus’ crucifixion and death?
A –

In the next study, we will finish John 10, where Jesus describes our intimate relationship with him.

I hope you are enjoying studying God’s Word!! If you would like to ask a question, here you go:
www.everystudent.com/contact.php

Sincerely,

Marilyn Adamson
director of EveryStudent.com
and StartingwithGod.com

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