Small Group Lesson March 4th: The Book of John 10:11-30
John 10:11-30 The Good Shepherd - I and the Father are One
Please Read John 10:11-30
Today you hear more than ever we need to Coexist- there’s even bumper stickers with this term. People say we need to have tolerance- meaning can’t we all believe what we want to believe? Tolerance is saying that we can all be right- whatever makes YOU feel good- do it! This can’t be anymore polar opposite to Jesus’ teachings in these verses. In today’s world this is considered hate speech to say there is only 1 way to Heaven. Yet this is exactly what Jesus is saying- Jesus is telling the Truth in Love. Last week we talked about how Jesus is on a rescue mission for ALL of us- But people don’t want to hear what he’s saying. That there is only 1 way- through the Gate that is Christ. There is no other way into the Sheep fold but through the Gate. Jesus is opposing the religious leaders who were not teaching Christ and Christ alone- keeping the blind/ needy people from Him. Well Jesus is now going to expand on this to a crowd that is split- some people believe, while others think he’s a madman.
Starting in verse 11 we are back to the Good Shepherd- a Good Shepherd that lays down His Life. Jesus referring to Himself as the Good Shepherd is deep rooted in the Old Testament. Refer to Ezekiel 34 and Isaiah 53- they prophesize about the Good Shepherd- the Messiah and His coming. Lets talk about being a Shepherd- a shepherd in Christ. I started thinking about what a privilege and responsibility this is. A Good Shepherd knows his Sheep personally, He protects them from danger, he raises them to Lead them and they follow Him- a Good Shepherd lays down His Life for His sheep. I get to Shepherd my wife, my family, my crew at work- what an amazing opportunity! I just want to constantly keep improving myself as a Shepherd to these flocks in my Life. In verse 12 it talks about the hired hand- the one who does not care for his sheep. Shepherds by all accounts did not make a large days wage- so when danger came it was not worth it for them to put themselves in harms way for their sheep- they bail! And so it was true with the religious leaders Jesus is talking to. But that is not our Jesus- He laid down his life for His sheep. He expands on this in verse 15- Jesus talks about the relationship he wants with His sheep. And because Jesus and the Father are one- He has the Authority to lay down his life as a ransom for His sheep.
As we come down to verse 24 -the people begin to ask Jesus that if He is the Messiah- then just say it already. For the Jewish people this goes back 2000 years ago to the promise God made to Abraham- that from his lineage will come the Messiah. Remember this chapter is during the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah). This celebrates when the Jews got their temple back from the Syrians. That battle was a gruesome time- so this does bring up a good question- why doesn’t Jesus just come out and say it plainly- I Am the Messiah. Well, actually he has- to receptive ears- remember in chapter 4 the Samaritan woman by the well. She says in 4:25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
So Jesus isn’t saying it to everyone, I have heard many commentators say that they believe Jesus didn’t say it because the Jews at that time had the wrong definition of Messiah. They wanted a political/ military leader that was going to overthrow the Roman government and bring peace this way. Jesus did come to fight, but to fight for Souls. And this fight would be in a loving way with grace and mercy. In verse 25-26 Jesus says to them (the religious leaders) that He did tell them, but they are not listening and receiving – They have been deaf and blind to His voice.
In verse 28-30 lets talk about how this sums up how God is different from other Religions.
1. This God is the Creator who has an INTENTIONAL and UNIQUE LOVE for every single person.
2. This God will SACRIFICE Himself for His PEOPLE.
3. This God will LIVE THE LIFE He calls His people to live THROUGH THEM.
Christianity is the only religion to say this- There is a perfect life you are supposed to live. We cant do it- So we need a Savior. No other religions deal with the Sin issue- they’re just about self improvement. God is Holy and He cannot be in the presence of Sin- So we have to be perfect to get into Heaven. No matter how hard we try, we will have sin in our lives- past, present and future . This is where we Have to Accept Jesus and surrender to him and give him Lordship of our lives. We get to be one with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. This is the ONLY TRUTH- but we need to show and spread it to the World in the most Loving and Sacrificial way.
So what do we do with this Jesus who talks about Himself in this way? He says I Am the answer, I Am God on a rescue mission for His sheep. You see the other shepherds (religious leaders) have scattered and left you, but I Am here!
And so the crowd remains split and the debate continues today. And I am here to tell you that there is a 1 True God- who not only loves you, but He really really likes you! We can’t coexist with this Jesus- He’s not part of any other teachings- these are His Words, not mine. So Brothers and Sisters in Christ- Lets go spread this Truth- The Gospel- in the most Loving Way!
Discussion Questions:
1. Who are your flocks you get to Shepherd? How does this make you feel? How can you lead them better?
2. How are you able to discern the Holy Spirit and His will in your Life?
3. How can we fight for souls for this 1 Truth in the most Loving way?