John 10:6-21 Access To God Is Given, Through Christ Alone

“Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.  He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.  I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,  even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.  I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.  For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.  No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words.  Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?”  Others were saying, “These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?”

We all know that nobody will show the faithfulness to a business like its owner.  An owner cannot hire a slave to give the same care as an owner.  And this is what Jesus is declaring here.  Jesus was given a commission by His father.  First come to the lost sheep of Israel so that as my Son, You may be able to redeem them.  But not to them alone.  Go also to the gentiles, those who I declare are mine so that they man not perish, but have eternal life.  Once again the people are divided.  Since nobody has ever spoken like this, many canned him a devil.  But the more discerning understood the devil to evil, but this man brings sight to the blind and binds up the wounded.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd.  You come not for Yourself, but for me and others like me who believe in You.  And by believing in You, we will find everlasting life.  In Your holy name I pray Amen.