The Joys of John

[paradox3]

John 10:1-21

Bible Gateway passage: John 10:1-21 - New English Translation

Jesus as the Good Shepherd - “I tell you the solemn truth, the one who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep hear his...

www.biblegateway.com

Jesus tells the people he is both the door to the sheepfold and the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

A good shepherd knows his sheep and they know him. But Jesus has other sheep who are not part of this particular sheepfold. He must bring them in so there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Jesus speaks of laying down his life and picking it up again. There is further division among the Jewish people. Some think He is possessed by a demon. Others believe Him because he made the blind man see.

 

[paradox3]

This reading contains the well known words: I have come so they might have life, and have it abundantly. (v.10)

I am familiar with the verse but not in this context. The statement is made in contrast to the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy.

The one who enters the sheepfold through the door (Jesus) will be saved, and will go in and go out, and find pasture.

 

[Waterfall]

Some think He is possessed by a demon. Others believe Him because he made the blind man see.

I suppose Jesus is a good Shepherd because he doesn't eat the sheep. And he's a gentle lion that doesn't roar?
As much as some don't understand Jesus metaphors, are there times he didn't understand why they would think he was not who he said he was when it's not clear if he's a saviour or a destroyer?

 

[paradox3]

With all the lovely sheep metaphors in the bible, we sometimes forget that sheep are not solely raised for their wool.

 

[GordW]

John 10:1-21

Bible Gateway passage: John 10:1-21 - New English Translation

Jesus as the Good Shepherd - “I tell you the solemn truth, the one who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep hear his...

www.biblegateway.com

Jesus tells the people he is both the door to the sheepfold and the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

A good shepherd knows his sheep and they know him. But Jesus has other sheep who are not part of this particular sheepfold. He must bring them in so there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Jesus speaks of laying down his life and picking it up again. There is further division among the Jewish people. Some think He is possessed by a demon. Others believe Him because he made the blind man see.

Well timed (by happenstance I am guessing but maybe by plan)....this coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Easter, called Good Shepherd Sunday since in all three years of the RCL the Gospel reading comes from John 10. This year's reading starts with verse 22

 

[paradox3]

Well timed (by happenstance I am guessing but maybe by plan)....this coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Easter, called Good Shepherd Sunday since in all three years of the RCL the Gospel reading comes from John 10. This year's reading starts with verse 22

It's definitely happenstance!

John 10:22 starts a story which takes place at Hannukah. It is the only mention of this feast in the Bible. (A bit of biblical trivia I just learned recently.)

 

[unsafe]

This chapter in the first section show us the distinction between the True Shepherds and the False Shepherds -----

Not everyone who says they are Christian is a true Christian ---there is a right way to enter the gate of the Sheep pen --the gate is there for a reason ---whoever doesn't enter the gate through their Faith in Jesus is a robber and a thief ----

The thief and robber here is the False messiahs and False leaders that will lead the people astray ----see verse 8

verse 8 ----------All who came before Me [as false messiahs and self-appointed leaders] are thieves and robbers

I say -----So Jesus here is speaking of the Pharisees who have been teaching God's word in the synagogue before He came on the scene--- who He is referring to as the thieves and robbers

The Pharisees are doing Satan's bidding ==

I say -----This is why it is so important for the true Christian to know their Scriptures so when they hear what is being Preached they will know if it is True Doctrine or False Doctrine that is being voiced ----

Satan's Job is to Keep people away from God and His word by preaching half =truths and twisting Scripture to suit their own agenda and to water down scripture and sugar coat it so people are deceived ----

And Believe me that is happening in most Churches today -------

AI

The statement that the Pharisees were doing Satan's bidding is a common interpretation, particularly in Christian theology, based on the accusation that the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebul (the prince of demons). This interpretation suggests the Pharisees were attributing God's power to Satan in an effort to discredit Jesus and undermine his authority.


I say -----The true Sheep here obey the True Shepherd's voice and pay attention to it ---they will not follow the voice of a deceiver as they will know the deceiver's voice and run away -----

Verse 5 AMP
5 They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

I say --------Jesus says He is the door to eternal life ----and lays down His life for His sheep ---where as the Hired man who works for on wages will rin the he sees the Wolf coming to steal the Sheep because he Values His life more that the sheep he is suppose to be protecting ---

Jesus says He is the only one who has the power to Lay down and give up His life voluntarily and then take it back --

The Pharisees think Jesus is possessed by a demon and that He is mad and insane and says not to listen to Him ----others defend Jesus and says can a demon open the eyes of the blind -----

So again division ---some believe and some don't ------and also there is no Spiritual understanding again from the Pharisees who are suppose to be the teachers of God's word to others ---yet have no spiritual insight but are Spiritually Blinded -----

John 10 :10 ---is referring to believers here --------AMP B

Jesus says ---- I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

What does this really mean Physically and Spiritually for the believer

Strong's Concordance -------The Greek word for abundant is
Lexicon

perissos: Abundant, exceeding, extraordinary, more than sufficient​

meaning "abundance" or "plenty." These terms similarly convey the idea of overflowing provision and blessing, aligning with the New Testament usage

Usage: The word "περισσός" is used in the New Testament to describe abundance or excess in various contexts, including material wealth, spiritual blessings, and moral qualities. It often emphasizes the superabundance of God's provision or the surpassing nature of His grace.

It is used to describe the abundant life that Jesus offers, which is not merely about physical well-being but encompasses spiritual richness and eternal fulfillment.

In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul writes, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound (περισσός) in every good work." This passage highlights the sufficiency and overflow of God's grace, enabling believers to excel in good deeds.

I say ------Blows my mind that people want to refuse this type of life in the hear and now and beyond -----But many do refuse it ---

So Glad I am not one of the refusers -----

 

[paradox3]

v.6 Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Maybe we still don't understand it.

There are several undefined characters: a thief, a robber, a doorkeeper, a stranger, a hired hand and a wolf.

Jesus tell us clearly he is the door and the good shepherd. We can only speculate about the others who are mentioned.

Nor are the sheep defined in this parable. And who are the sheep that are not from the sheepfold?

Jesus says that he has the authority to lay down his life and take it back again. So curious!

I have always been taught that Jesus does not raise himself from the dead. Rather it is God who raises him.

If Jesus is not referring to the crucifixion and resurrection in this reading, what is he talking about???

 

[paradox3]

Friend @unsafe has given us a possible interpretation of today's reading. I don't really have another explanation to offer. Just questions.

When we discussed this passage recently at church, we spent a long time on the identity of the sheep. We liked followers of Jesus as an answer. Which led to more questions.

 

[GordW]

v.6 Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Maybe we still don't understand it.

There are several undefined characters: a thief, a robber, a doorkeeper, a stranger, a hired hand and a wolf.

Jesus tell us clearly he is the door and the good shepherd. We can only speculate about the others who are mentioned.

Nor are the sheep defined in this parable. And who are the sheep that are not from the sheepfold?

Jesus says that he has the authority to lay down his life and take it back again. So curious!

I have always been taught that Jesus does not raise himself from the dead. Rather it is God who raises him.

If Jesus is not referring to the crucifixion and resurrection in this reading, what is he talking about???

We have a tendency to want to turn parables into analogies or allegories where each part clearly means something/body in particular. I think parables tend to resist such simple equations, which makes them both more powerful and harder to assign a clear, correct, meaning or understanding to them. THere may be multiple answers to where the characters you list fit in to life.

 

[unsafe]

And who are the sheep that are not from the sheepfold?

They are the false sheep who just think they are going to be entered into the sheepfold but when they get to the gate they are turned away because they didn't enter through the right Gate which is Faith in Jesus -----

 

[GordW]

They are the false sheep who just think they are going to be entered into the sheepfold but when they get to the gate they are turned away because they didn't enter through the right Gate which is Faith in Jesus -----

OR...
THey are true sheep who belong to a different community and have been led to the gate via a slightly different path.

 

[paradox3]

They are the false sheep who just think they are going to be entered into the sheepfold but when they get to the gate they are turned away because they didn't enter through the right Gate which is Faith in Jesus -----

This has never been my interpretation of these verses. I have always thought of these sheep as the ones who still need to be transformed into followers and invited in. I suppose they would need to be invited in first. Then transformed.

But who knows? If they are false sheep I guess the doorkeeper has the job of discerning this?

 

[Mendalla]

We have a tendency to want to turn parables into analogies or allegories where each part clearly means something/body in particular. I think parables tend to resist such simple equations, which makes them both more powerful and harder to assign a clear, correct, meaning or understanding to them. THere may be multiple answers to where the characters you list fit in to life.

In fact, I think most of them are closer to a fable, with a more general meaning, not a highly particular one.

 

[unsafe]

OR...
THey are true sheep who belong to a different community and have been led to the gate via a slightly different path.

or maybe You Wish ==LOL ---

 

[unsafe]

But who knows? If they are false sheep I guess the doorkeeper has the job of discerning this?

Ya for sure and the door keeper is God ---so only He knows who the true and false sheep are we don't --

 

[GordW]

Ya for sure and the door keeper is God ---so only He knows who the true and false sheep are we don't --

SO you will therefore stop acting as doorkeeper an announcing who is true and who is false?

 

[paradox3]

Ya for sure and the door keeper is God ---so only He knows who the true and false sheep are we don't --

If Jesus is the door, then God as the doorkeeper makes sense.

In fact, I think most of them are closer to a fable, with a more general meaning, not a highly particular one.

With the exception of the doorkeeper, the other characters are evil or at least potentially harmful. Is John going for the general idea that the sheep need protection?

 

[unsafe]

SO you will therefore stop acting as doorkeeper an announcing who is true and who is false?

GordW ---Just quoting Scripture ----and giving my Spiritual meaning via the Holy Spirit ----who is the only one who can give us the Rhema word of the Scripture --

Question to You

---Will you stop believing that there are many paths to heaven ----when the Scripture clearly says in this Chapter ---Jesus is the only way to have eternal life and His true Sheep follow His voice -----and the gate is closed to those who try to enter another way ------

Without Jesus' Faith in us GordW Scripture is clear here who gets to enter the Gate and who doesn't ----

if that upsets you GordW ------I guess the best person to ask your Question to here that you quote to me-----

SO you will therefore stop acting as doorkeeper an announcing who is true and who is false?

Would be God Himself ----as I just believe what Jesus who is the Word says and I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me into the real truth of the Scripture ------and that is what I post and believe ----
You have every right to believe what you will ---same as I do ----

GordW your still in the Old Testament ---so the Ark --had one door ---whoever went through that door got saved -- there was only one entrance ----everyone else perished --think about that ----that would make a good Old Testament Sermon -----

it is the same today --

Scripture says God doesn't change ---if you want Him to change you need to ask Him if he will change the way people get into His Kingdom and provide many ways to get there instead of just one way as is prescribed in His Word ------

So Good Luck with that ---OH and -let me know if you get an answer ----

 

[GordW]

@unsafe you read the same scripture I read. we interpret differently . You consistently act as gatekeeper by pronouncing that anyone who does not interpret as you do is false. If GOd is the only gate/doorkeeper you are not acting in accordance with what you say.

ANd I still have no idea why you insist I am still in the Hebrew Scriptures.

It is incredibly arrogant to insist that anyone who does not believe and interpret the way you do is wrong and that only you/your path is the right way to God. I think Jesus is speaking directly against this in John 10 with the reference to sheep of other folds.