The Gospel of John Jet Tour pt. 4 Ch. 10-12 (Focus on 10)

Chapter 10 continues the discourse between Jesus and the Pharisees.

Ch. 10:1-21
Main point: Jesus uses shepherd terminology to display His care for believers, while at the same time He rebukes the Pharisees.

Only those who enter through the door (Christ) to minister to the sheep (believers) are qualified to teach and lead, but the Pharisees are contrasted as thieves and robbers. (V.1)

Yet Christ is the shepherd of the sheep who enters by the door, receives the response of the sheep, while leading them in complete safety. (v. 2-4)

After a failure to communicate, Jesus uses another title for Himself..."I AM the door..." Jesus may have been referring to the practice of shepherds who would build a "C" shaped stone enclosure and leave one section with a gap to allow entrance and exit for the sheep. Next, the shepherd would lay down across the only gap in the wall during night time hours to keep the sheep safe. Therefore he was technically the "door" of the sheep. Thus, having complete access rights, both in and out, for the sheep. Jesus' elaborates on this by saying, "I AM the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."

Jesus next describes Himself as the Good Shepherd. His point in saying this is, "...the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." Contrast this care, and commitment with the hired hand who, "...sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees.." with the result that, "...the wolf snatches them and scatters them." The hired hand is not concerned about the welfare of the sheep but Jesus knows His own and vice-versa.

Drop down to verse 16 now which says, "I have other sheep..." This statement refers to "gentiles" or "nations" or "non-Jews"...whatever way you would like to put it. Yet, both Jew and Gentile will become one flock in Christ.

After mentioning His death that will be the substitution for the flock, and demonstrating His authority to lay down His life...Jesus concludes the discourse. 19-21 summarizes the response of the Jews.

Please respond to this question...How does 10:22-31 depict salvation, and can it be lost?

My answer: v. 28 Jesus says that "He gives" eternal life. So salvation is a free gift (see Ephesians 2:8-10). I also believe that salvation cannot be lost, for Jesus says, "...I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

FYI, people usually don't like eternal security because of the old saying, "If you can't lose it, then why don't you live like the world?" The answer is in Romans 6.


Jamen