I have been sitting before my computer for a full hour, unable to write, not because of writer’s block, but rather thunderstruck with awe over the power of this passage. How can I do it justice? Thankfully, Jesus declares his glory without my help!
These words of Jesus are perhaps the most beautiful ever spoken to human ears. The setting is the same as last time – many of the Jews are unable to understand Jesus’ metaphor about the sheep and the shepherd. But to others specifically chosen by God, it is verbal gold:
“’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 listen to them. I AM the door. If anyone enters by 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’” (Jn 10:7-10).
Jesus is they way in. The way in to what? A new life that we cannot have without Jesus. A real life, born again; eternal life, not the life of oppression his listeners know so well, under leaders who are really thieves and robbers:
“’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 does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees … He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep’” (Jn 10:11-13).
This is a sure test of disunity versus perfect unity – is your leader one who will stand up for you, or one who flees from the tough issues of our times?
“’I AM the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep’” (Jn 10:14-15).
There is no question that Jesus knows our hearts and minds. The question of perfect unity with him is, do we truly know Jesus? In this historical setting in Jerusalem, some of the Jews do, but most do not. Yet even at that moment, Jesus is looking straight into your heart in the future:
“’And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd’” (Jn 10:16).
The Jews at this moment cannot even imagine that Jesus is referring to the Gentiles. This is not just prophetic foresight! This is a formal call of God upon the heart of ________.
Write your name in the blank!
Even then Jesus is thinking of you personally as he heads toward the cross!
“’For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father’” (Jn 10:17-18).
Jesus has done his job. But have we done ours?
Have we faithfully looked at our fellow believers as one flock under one shepherd?
This deeply important passage in John 10 ends with the Jews divided among themselves once again.
Jesus moves on toward the cross with your name on his heart. Is it fair to suggest that the perfect unity of his one flock is the deepest desire of his heart?
Is it fair to say then that perfect unity among his flock is the deepest desire of your heart?
Please do what I did this morning. Close your eyes, be silent, and listen for the Lord’s voice. Don’t rush it this one time.
This is ground zero for our turbulent times. Pray about your role in working for perfect unity.