NOVEMBER 26, 2017
THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP (PART II)
INTRODUCTION:
1. This chapter is a striking illustration of the progressive nature of our Lord’s discourses, one of many examples found in this Gospel. Starting with a simple statement, Jesus goes on to speak of the highest truth.
2. There is, however, the clear indication that something of more than ordinary importance will be forthcoming, in that, He begins with the double “verily.” This is one of twenty-four places, all in John’s Gospel, where He uses this expression.
3. We must keep in mind that there is here no break or separation from the previous chapter. Jesus is still answering the hostile Pharisees who asked, “Are we blind also?” and got the response, “Ye say We see, therefore your sin remaineth.” To them He goes on here to say, “I say unto you, he that entereth not in by the door is a thief and a robber.”
4. He speaks to them in parables, but does not immediately present Himself as the Shepherd. He first makes reference to the blind teachers of the Jews, the Scribes, and Pharisees. These are the persons He has in mind when He describes the false shepherd. The persons, who had just said, “We see,” He denounces as “thieves and robbers.”
5. He then, by way of parables, plainly made a twofold declaration concerning Himself.
a) “I am the door.” (Verses 7-9)
b) “I am the Good Shepherd.” (Verses 11-18)
6. These statements, and the powerful claims He makes in connection with them draw very different responses from these Jews.
I. NOTICE THE DIFFERENT SENTIMENTS CONCERNING THE FOREGOING DISCOURSE. (VSES. 19-21) What strifes and controversies our Lord occasioned while He was here on earth! “There was a DIVISION (a SCHISM) therefore AGAIN…” (Verse 19; compare Ch. 7:43; Ch. 9:16)
A. SOME SPEAK ILL OF HIM USING THE HARSHEST, MOST DEMEANING LANGUAGE IMAGINABLE. (VERSE 20)
1. They reproach Him as a demoniac. “He hath a devil and is mad.” (See Ch. 7:20; 8:48)
a) They hear Jesus’ claims and determine that these are the ravings of a madman, or one who is delirious.
(1) If anyone other than Jesus Christ, God’s Son, had said these things, their charge would have been reasonable.
(2) But, the mighty works that He did bore witness that His claims were true. (Verses 25, 38; Ch. 5:36; 14:11)
b) Let us not be surprised if we see a life response to ourselves and the Gospel that we preach. (Rom. 8:7; I Cor. 2:14)
(1) Servants of Christ must think it no strange thing when they have to endure ridicule and hard words from children of the world.
(2) Those who talk about and prefer another world to this one are often labeled dreamers and crazies.
2. They ridicule His hearers as foolish for encouraging what they count as conceited and outlandish claims.
a) Believers will oftentimes be thought foolish for sake of their faith.
b) We must not allow ourselves to become shy about our beliefs, whatever might be the opinions of fallen, unbelieving creatures.
B. OTHERS STAND UP IN DEFENSE OF HIM AND DARE TO STAND STRONG AGAINST THE OPPOSITION. (VERSE 21)
1. They appreciate the excellency of Jesus’ doctrine. “These are not the words of him that hath a devil.”
a) If Christianity is not the true religion, it is the greatest fraud that has ever been perpetrated upon the world. This would make its teaching to be the “doctrine of devils,” the product of “the father of lies.”
b) But, it is certain that the doctrine of Christ is no doctrine of devils because it is leveled directly against Satan and his kingdom.
2. They see in His miracles the work and power of God. “Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?” (See Matt. 12:22-28; Luke 11:20)
a) Neither mad men nor bad men either could or would do such wonderful works as Jesus went about doing.
b) The truth and power of the Christian Gospel is best seen in the transforming effect that it has in the lives of believers.
II. THE DISPUTE BETWEEN CHRIST AND THE JEWS IN THE TEMPLE AT THE FEAST OF DEDICATION. (VERSES 22-30)
A. JOHN TELLS WHEN AND WHERE THIS DISPUTE TAKES PLACE. (VERSES 22, 23)
1. It is during the Feast of Dedication.
a) This feast was most likely that which was appointed by Judas Maccabeus, and was an annual observance by consent to commemorate the new altar and purging of the temple after it had been profaned by Antiochus. (This was the second temple, the building and dedication of which is recorded the Book of Ezra.)
b) This feast was not one of Divine ordination like Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, but was nonetheless kept each year. We are not told that Jesus came specifically to observe this Feast, but we know that He was already at Jerusalem, and had been in Judea since He came for the Feast of Tabernacles. (Ch. 7:10)
c) Although this feast was not of God’s ordination, it was nevertheless instituted for a good purpose, and was apparently not in violation of any sacred statute.
2. It is in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. (Verse 22; See Acts 3:11; 5:12)
a) We have a description of the porch that Solomon built in I Kings 6:3. Though it was destroyed with the temple by the Babylonians, it seems that with the second temple there was one built like it, and that it kept the same name.
b) This porch or portico was a covered walkway which ran along the eastern wall of the court of the Gentiles. There Jesus walked and observed.
B. HERE IS THE EXCHANGE THAT TAKES PLACE BETWEEN OUR LORD AND THE JEWS ON THAT OCCASION. (VERSES 24-30)
1. The question that is put to Him by the Jews. (Verse 24)
a) They encircle, or surround Jesus.
b) They quarrel with Him, as if He had deliberately been keeping them in suspense. “How long dost thou make us to doubt?” or more literally, “Until what time dost thou lift up our souls?” or “…take away our souls?”
c) They demand of Him a direct, categorical answer. “If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.” Nothing is more common with hardened and wicked hearts than to allege a lack of evidence, and to pretend willingness to believe, if only sufficient proof was supplies.
d) Their pressing query was seemingly good, suggesting that if He would stop with the parables (Ch. 6:35; 8:12;10:11, etc.) and just say it flat out, they were desirous to know the truth, and were ready to embrace it. But, there was nothing good in their design, for had He told them plainly that He was the Christ; they needed nothing more to make Him obnoxious to the Roman government.
2. Jesus’ answer strongly contradicts their implication that He had not been forthright with them, and exposes the reason for their unbelief. (Verses 25, 26)
a) He had been quite clear. “I told you.” Besides the parables, He had plainly declared Himself to be the Son of God; that He had life in Himself; that He had power to execute judgment; that “before Abraham was I am.”
b) Besides these plain statements, His works bore witness of Him.
c) He condemns them for their obstinate unbelief notwithstanding the powerful evidence they were given. “Ye believed not.”
d) He declares the basic reason for their unbelief. “But, ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep.” (Vrs. 26)
3. Jesus takes this occasion to describe both the gracious disposition and the happy state of those that are His sheep. (Verses 27-30)
a) He tells these who are not His sheep of the character of those who are His sheep.
(1) They hear His voice, for they know it to be His. (Verse 4; See also Verse 16; Song of Sol. 2:8)
(2) They follow Him. They submit to His leading and guidance.
b) He describes the blessed state of all who are His sheep.
(1) He knows them. He knows each one by name. (Verse 3)
(2) He provides happiness for them that is suited to them – LIFE ETERNAL.
(a) Man has a living, immortal soul; therefore his chief good is eternal life, running parallel with his duration.
(b) This eternal life is conveyed to him as a free gift. “I give unto them eternal life.”
(3) He has undertaken for their security. “They shall never perish.”
(4) Their place of safety is absolutely secure. “Neither shall any (man) pluck them out of my hand.” (See Deut. 33:3)
(a) Literally, “Neither shall any pluck them out…” (“man” is supplied by the translators)
(b) There is not any power, whether it be human, angelic, or any other, that can separate the sheep from their powerful, loving Shepherd. (Rom. 8:35-39)
(5) His Father’s power is likewise engaged for their preservation. (Verse 30)
(a) The Father who gave the, and the Son, who redeemed them, are alike interested in the well being of the sheep.
(b) The Father (like the Son) is greater than all of the combined forces of hell and earth.
c) It is truly a happy and secure state that all of Christ’s sheep enjoy. May we all be given that gracious disposition so as to:
(1) hear His voice;
(2) follow at His call;
(3) know His wonderful and matchless gift of life eternal; and
(4) find in His strong hand perfect rest for our souls.
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