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John 10:15-18 - Lesson #103 |
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| When Jesus claimed to be the only true and good shepherd of the flock of Israel, the Jewish leaders could debate His claim, ignore His claim, or even be irritated with His claim. But as Jesus continued to further define and defend His claim, He spoke of things which would require a more definite decision. |
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| John 10:15-18 |
| "As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." |
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| When Jesus claimed to know the Father with the same degree of intimacy that the Father knew Him, Jesus was making a claim completely outside of any acceptable Jewish teaching. People like Abraham, Moses, and David may have claimed this type of relationship, but NEVER a common Rabbi! |
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| This very uncommon Rabbi spoke again about giving His life for the sheep. This was certainly a key point in defining His love for the children of God. Notice that Jesus spoke about the present activity of laying down His life. He would refer to His death on the cross, but also to the on-going laying down of life which allowed Him to truly pour out His love to others. "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16). |
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| But Jesus went further in His claim of laying down His life. He claimed to retain complete control - He freely gave for the good of those He loved; "unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain" (John 12:24). Jesus gave His life and then took it back when He rose and returned to the Father, all for the love of the sheep. |
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| The sheep of the fold referred to the Jewish children of Israel. These were God's chosen people of promise. But Jesus made it clear that He did not come for these sheep alone. His love had a much more global reach; "make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19). Later, Paul stated that all sheep were to be unified; "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). But this intention of global love and unity was first stated in God's promise to Abraham; "And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). |
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| God's love is global in nature. But not all become part of His flock. He remains in complete control; and yet, He exhorts us to deliver His message of love, hope and forgiveness to all who will listen. Let's reach out to ALL the lost sheep and call them to follow the Shepherd. Let's walk in the unity of His one true flock. |
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| Steve Troxel |
| God's Daily Word Ministries |
