John 10 Notes

Overview
- Chapters 9&10 when read together offer a pattern prevalent throughout John of an action…followed by conversation…followed by Divine teaching.
- Back to the question: Who is Jesus?
“I Am the Good Shepherd” (vv. 1 – 21)
- 1-5 “flesh out” 9:41
  - 1 an explanation of 9: 40-41
  - 1-5 paint a picture of legal and illegal activities associated with tending sheep
  - Trying to make these opening a “tight” parable of Jesus as the “shepherd”, God as the “gatekeeper” and the enclosed area as a place of safety in religious belief raises more questions that offer answers.
    - Hint: Don’t try to read something that is not there!
  - 6 reveals the spiritual condition of the hearers
  - “I Am the Gate”! (vv. 7-10)
    - Jesus teaching he is the ONLY means of salvation
    - Who are the “thieves and bandits”?
    - How do I read this as a Muslim, Hindu or “Other”?
  - “I Am the Good Shepherd”! (vv. 11-18)
    - Possible oxymoron…can a “shepherd” truly be “good”?
    - Based on model of a shepherd found in Ezekiel 34: 11-16
      - Palestinian shepherding practices of that time might require self-sacrifice in order to save the flock
    - “Hired hand” reflects bad shepherd found in Ezekiel 34: 5-6, 8-10
      - Biggest difference: “bad” shepherd cares more for self than flock
    - Jesus’ “good shepherd” is connected via ministry and relationship with God (i.e. “I AM”)
    - Jesus’ flock knows the sound of his voice…DO YOU?
    - Jesus willingly will lay down his life…WHY?
  - Division Continues (vv. 19-21)
    - The Word of God is divisive…HOW?…WHY?
  - Jesus At the Feast (vv. 22 – 42)
    - Some “Ground Rules”
      - Feast of Dedication (“Hanukkah”) celebrated in December
        
        Celebrates liberation from Antiochus Epiphanes
        
        Not a pilgrimage feast
      - “Jews” = Jewish religious establishment
    - Interrogation Time (vv. 22-39)
      - “keep us in suspense” (v. 24) = “take away our life” or “continue to annoy us”
        
        The “Jews” are either really wanting or really annoyed!
      - “speak plainly…are you the Messiah”?
        
        Only time in John that Jesus is asked directly
      - Jesus Responds
        
        A “Rush Hour” moment J (“Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?”)
      - Difference between “miracles” (NIV) & “works” (NRSV) (v. 25)
        
        “works” are inclusive of “miracles”, but also include his teachings
      - Do YOU belong?
        
        Criteria for responding
        
        “hear”
        
        “follow”
        
        Followers of Jesus are “untouchable” because… (v. 30)
        
        Response of Jews is to stone Jesus…WHY?
        
        Is the blasphemy charge accurate (cf. Lev. 24:16)
        
        Is the equality of Jesus with God “of his own making” an accurate charge? Why? Why not?
        
        Jesus responds…again!
        
        Uses the Word to prove his equality of God’s doing…not his own!
        
        Jesus is the Holy One of God because of his “sanctification” (v. 36)
        
        (vv. 37-38 paraphrase) “the works of the God prove I am the Son; but, even if you do not believe me…believing the works proves God and I are together” {Gilmore translation J}
        
        The Jewish religious authorities attempt to arrest Jesus…again & fail…again!
      - Retreat…Never Surrender! (vv. 40-42)
        
        Jesus will choose the time of his death…not humanity
        
        Validates John’s ministry
        
        “many believed in him there.” (v. 42)