Small Group Lesson February 25th: John 10:1-11
The Book of John 10:1-11: I Am the Good Shepherd
Please read John 10 verses 1 through 11. I have 3 words for these verses in this chapter: Context, Context, Context. Growing up as a young believer I was always taught the famous verse by itself- John 10:10-“The Thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have Life and have it Abundantly.” I always thought the Thief was Satan- and yes- Jesus is referring to the work of Satan, but Satan is working through the Religious leaders, Pharisees and anyone who keeps people from coming to Jesus. These are the “Thieves” that Jesus is referring to in these verses. We need to remember that Scripture was originally scrolls as one continuous writing- Chapters weren’t put in the Bible until the 12th century, verses were added in the 15th century to help us memorize easier. This is obviously a great tool to memorize the Bible to help us in life situations, but its important to still dive deeper into scripture to get the whole picture of what is being talked about, to who its being said and the significance of the region at that time. I love using David Guzik’s website: https://enduringword.com , Chris Brown at North Coast Church is awesome as well: https://www.northcoastchurch.com , and Chuck Swindoll at https://insight.org to name a few. It’s awesome to listen to them break down the Bible and put these verses into context for us to get the most out of Scripture. It’s been such a amazing way for me to connect to Jesus more in my Journey.
Anyways- back to the passage- lets reflect on the last 5 chapters- Jesus has been healing on the Sabbath, challenging the religious leaders of that time, they (the Pharisees) have been asking Jesus, “Who do you think you are? Where do you come from? By what Authority do you have to say and do the things your doing?” Jesus has been crossing every social/ religious line; interacting with a Samaritan woman, healing on the Sabbath, casting out demons. In chapter 9 we read how Jesus healed a blind man and the Pharisees were mad about this. Jesus basically tells them they are missing what Christianity is all about- they’re worried about Laws and Religion, but missing what’s right in front of them- The Messiah! This has been 5 Chapters of how the religious leaders have been getting it wrong. Jesus is continually showing Love and Mercy while the leaders are getting upset that he’s not following religious law.
So looking at verse 1- there is the Enemy- he enters through another way- he loves and cares about himself. Where in verse 2- there is a Good Shepherd and this Shepherd Loves and Cares about Us. The “Gate-keeper” is Jesus- so anyone getting to the people other than “the gate” is the Thief, which are imposters. The Thief is a rip off artist- these are people gripped with defending the Word of God- yet they’re missing the whole theme of Scripture and Life- This would be God’s Messiah who is sent for Blind/ Needy people. Simply put- the unseen world. The Thief does want to defend Scripture, but the people they’re attacking need Jesus- Not the Law.
So again- Context- why were sheep important in that time? It wasn’t for their meat- it was for their wool- this was their livelihood, their means and sheep equals you get more sheep. So to loose them was a big deal. To protect the sheep- the shepherds would bring them into a community pen at night. The next day the shepherds would separate their sheep with specific calls that they would identify and come to their shepherd and then go and graze. Knowing the voice of their shepherd is what separated the flocks. A pastor was told about a Palestinian widow who’s sheep had been taken by the military. She asked them if she could call them and if 25 sheep came out- these are hers and asked if she would be able to keep them. The soldier agreed- so her son came forward and pulled out a reed flute and began a call with it. One by one 25 sheep came forward to the widow and her son! This is how it can be difficult for a 21st century American to understand- Jesus however at this time- knew his audience, He knew how to connect with them. Jesus says I Am the Good Shepherd! Sheep know how their Shepherd protects them, provides for them, He has the sheep’s best interest in mind, the sheep know and trust their Shepherd.
But let’s talk more about the Shepherd- A Good Shepherd knows His sheep Personally! God knows us personally- He knows which one of us is a leader, which of us follow, which of us will wonder away, who needs herding- He knows how to Care for us. In Psalm 139 it says God made you in your Mother’s womb, He knows when you stand, when you sit, how many hairs are on your head! God knows us better than we know ourselves. A Good Shepherd will also Lead His sheep- Not drive them out. Jesus just dealt with people that kicked a man out of church for being healed. These are the Thieves that don’t care about their sheep- they don’t believe and follow Jesus. Jesus asks us to Follow Him- He will guide you- What a Promise. Jesus also says that a Good Shepherd will Lay down His life for His sheep- Every one of them! That’s why its important to remember we Love Jesus for what He has already done for us- all our sins past, present and future are paid for in Full!
Jesus also promises Abundant Life for each sheep. What is abundant to you? Does that mean Worldly abundant things? Wealth, health and prosperity? See- Jesus does not promise that, But He does promise a Relationship and Purpose beyond contentment. God promises close proximity to Him.
Think of the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23- 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
When I am in plugged into the source (Scripture- The Spirit) I feel that my levels of these fruits is so much higher than when I’m distant. That’s why Paul says in Philippians 4:13- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens Me.” He’s talking about true contentment even when life is attacking you. Remember- whatever life throws at you- God wants it! And He will take care of us through it and we will grow in the trial.
The Thieves- Pharisees- the Liars- they are so caught up in defending the Word/ the Law that they missed 2 things. That is first -The Messiah (Jesus) and second-how to take care of the blind- How to lead them to Jesus.
So ending 10:10- the Enemy has a plan for each of us that involves:
-Stealing our Relationship with God- that is because the only way to have a relationship with God is through Jesus.
-Killing the Abundant Life that God has promised us- How much do you realize by your Fruits that you are connected or not?
-The Thief wants to destroy everything that we were created to be and do- God’s purpose for your Life.
One more reminder- These “People”, the Pharisees, Religious leaders were defending the Word of God fiercely! Against the Liars of their day, but Jesus says that’s the Thief- because Christ is not in the midst of it. We were never supposed to use Truth to destroy people- we’re to use the Truth to win people! In Chapter 9 Jesus calls the “Thieves” blind! Don’t be in the way of keeping people from coming to Jesus.
We are going to stumble- but remember- Follow the Shepherds voice. In John 21- the resurrected Jesus is sitting with Peter after Peter denied Jesus 3 times- Jesus asks him 3 times, “Do you Love Me?” And Peter replies all 3 times-“Yes!” Jesus then says, “Then Feed My Sheep”
Discussion:
1. How do we keep ourselves from becoming Thieves? Using the Word of God to attack people, instead of winning people to the Kingdom? How can we best deliver that there is only 1 way (Jesus) through “The Gate”?
2. How does it make you feel to know the Creator of the Universe knows you Personally? How can we get to know Him more intimately?
3. Abundant Life that Jesus promises is Relationship and Purpose beyond contentment. Not wealth, health and prosperity. Do you feel the Fruits of the Spirit flowing out of you in all situations? If not, what adjustments can you make to keep bearing fruit?