Seed of Abraham

Old Testament Prophecy:  I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you. (Genesis 13:3)

New Testament Fulfillment:  The historical record of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1)

Centuries before the birth of Jesus, God announced the family patriarch through whom the Messiah’s lineage would pass.  God had chosen Abraham for this honor.

God called of Abraham included a promise of fertile land, many descendants and somehow becoming a blessing to the whole earth and all who lived upon her.  The first two parts were not that much of a stretch for Abraham to imagine.  Land was plentiful – if you could defeat those currently occupying it; and descendents required only time.  The promise of fertile land and many descendants made it harder to achieve, but certainly not beyond God’s abilities.

But the last part of the promise was the incredible part.  Abraham must have paused and thought, “How is a descendent of mine going to bless the whole world?”  Was such a thing even possible?

What better blessing – and one that would impact every soul living on the planet – than having God’s Messiah born out of your lineage?  And this is exactly what happened.

Matthew starts his Gospel (and the New Testament) with this announcement: Jesus is the one from Abraham’s line that will bless the world!  Christ was a title reserved for the Messiah.  So in this one sentence Matthew announces Jesus is the Messiah, and from Abraham’s lineage. 

Jewish records of lineage were very detailed and maintained meticulously.  They had to be so that candidates for the priesthood could prove they were of the right lineage for the honor and position.  The line of Abraham was known; as was the fact that David was a part of it.  The lineage from David clearly could be tracked as well, and it lead to Jesus.  No serious student of the ancient records or of Scripture can dispute the truth here presented:

·         God said Abraham’s seed would bless the world.

·         Jesus was part of Abraham’s seed.

·         Jesus blessed the world.

Prophecy made and prophecy fulfilled.

Jesus' Names for You

On the Contents page of this blog you can see a section in which the seven “I am” statements of Jesus (in the Gospel of John) are discussed.  In each of the seven, Jesus gives Himself a name that demonstrates some aspect of His nature and conveys some benefit for believers.

Jesus also gave names to us, His followers.  These names indicate much about the relationship that is possible between Jesus and each of us.

Name #1

Read the following passage to discover the first name:

“This is My command: love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.  You are My friends if you do what I command you.  I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing.  I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.  You did not choose Me, but I chose you.  I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.  This is what I command you: love one another.”  (John 15:12-17)

Name #1: friend

This passage truly is a beautiful description of our relationship with Jesus as friends.  What an amazing thought, one worthy of much meditation and prayerful thanksgiving: Jesus calls you and me friend.

As with any meaningful relationship, so with this one too, there are two parts to the relationship:

1. Jesus command (that we love one another).

2. Our obedience to the command.

Since both parties have a role in the relationship, this assures us that this is a real relationship.  A one-sided relationship would either mean Jesus was doing it all as a dictator; or that we were doing it all in some vain hope of getting His attention and receiving some unknown reward.  Thankfully, this is a two-sided relationship; a true friendship, with all the responsibilities and rewards that such a relationship affords.

As we read the passage from John 15, we first learn of Jesus’ work in this relationship.  A careful reading will show us that Jesus’ role in being a friend to each of us personally includes seven distinct actions.  As your friend…

1. He loves you. (vs. 12)

2. He lay down His life for you. (vs. 13)

3. He directs the relationship. (vs. 14)

4. He tells you all that the Father has told Him. (vs. 15)

5. He chose you. (vs. 16)

6. He appointed/commissioned you. (vs. 16)

7. He commands you. (vs. 17)

How amazing to reflect on what Jesus did so that He could call each of us friend.

Reading the passage from John again, we discover that we have three responsibilities to fulfill as part of this relationship.  [Certainly all relationships require much work.  Should we be surprised that our relationship to Jesus as His friend places requirements on us as well?]

My responsibilities in this relationship with Jesus as friend:

1. Love one another. (vs. 12,17)

2. Obey His command. (vs. 14)

3. Go and produce fruit. (vs. 16)

Everything we learn from Scripture about the Lord Jesus can and should impact our prayer life.  His seven self-given names in the “I am” statements all encourage us to pray more specifically, depending on the need at the moment.  The same is true in this passage.

Indeed, this passage contains a wonderful prayer promise.  Did you see it?

“…so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.” (vs. 16)

The promise grows out of our relationship with Jesus as a friend, and occurs in the context of Him having just said, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain…”  What does this mean?

The prayer promise gains its power as we are faithfully and obediently going and bearing fruit!  We do so humbly, knowing He chose us, and calls us friend.  And since He calls us friend, then we can call the Lord Jesus Christ our friend as well.  Amazing!

Name #2

Read the following passage and discover the second name:

“For the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father.  That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying: ‘I will proclaim Your name to My brothers; I will sing hymns to You in the congregation’.” (Hebrews 2:11-12)

Name #2: brothers

Another great promise of Scripture: though each person is stinking filthy in their trespasses and sin (from God’s perspective, if not from our own), Jesus said He would not be ashamed to call us brothers/sisters – close relatives, members of the family!

Those He sanctified, He calls brothers, and is not ashamed to do so.

When we are adopted into God’s family as His children, at the moment of salvation, we indeed become brothers and sisters to Jesus.  Since Jesus called us brothers, we can consider Him our Brother.  This may seem audacious or arrogant, perhaps even inappropriate to you.

But remember, Jesus is our example and our role model.  He first called us brothers.  So we, even though it may seem awkward, are free to call Him brother as well.

When you think of all that Jesus has established this relationship with Him as friend and brother; truly we are blessed.  Not only do we know who has all authority, power and provisions to meet our needs, but now we know He calls us friend and brother.

Next time you prepare to pray, pause for a moment.  Consider all that Jesus can do for you, wants to do for you, and that He is your friend and brother.  Then pray!

I am the True Vine

Seven times John records Jesus giving Himself an “I Am” name.  Each one describes an aspect of our relationship with Him; how we should view Jesus and relate to Him.  Each also provides a glimpse of what Jesus offers to all faithful and obedient believers.  May you be enriched and blessed as you study these names and discover what He offers to you each day.

The seventh “I am” name Jesus gave Himself is found in John 15:1; “I am the true vine.”

Each name Jesus gave Himself indicates a human need He alone can meet.  What do you think the human need is that He alone can meet as “the true vine” for mankind?

This statement is part of the final words of instruction and encouragement Jesus shared with His disciples on the night He was arrested.  In the upper room, while sharing supper together, Jesus covered many topics.  In the midst of this time He said these words:

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.” (15:1-2)

As Christians read these two verses, we often believe they are about Jesus and our relationship with him, and they are secondarily.  But primarily they are about the vineyard keeper - My Father - and His actions.  God is the focus here.  Look carefully at what God does.

For every branch the Father either throws it away or prunes it back.  Either way, every branch is going to feel the cutter’s blade!  What determines a branch’s fate is whether it is producing fruit or not.  Those that produce no fruit are cut off; those that produce fruit are cut back, so they may produce more fruit. 

What determines a branch’s ability to bear fruit?  Jesus told us in the next few verses:

“Remain in Me, and I in you.  Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me…The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit…If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you…If you keep My commands you will remain in My love.”  (vs. 4-10)

So often we read this passage and recognize the importance it has in discussing our relationship with Jesus.  But we miss the focus it has on the Father and His role.  The impact of this passage is much greater when the Father is put first.

“My Father is glorified…” (vs. 8a).

“As the Father has loved Me…” (vs. 9a)

“I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love.” (vs. 10b)

Bearing Fruit¹

Some people teach that those who do not win others to Christ will themselves be snatched off of the vine.  They are assuming that bearing fruit means each branch must be winning people to Christ.  And while this certainly must be part of an appropriate interpretation of the passage, bearing fruit may mean much more.  Paul wrote these words about fruit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”  (Galatians 5:22-23)

Could it be that the bearing fruit Jesus spoke of includes the growing presence and influence of the fruit of the Spirit within each Christian, as well as each Christian having a role in bringing new believers into the Kingdom?  Properly understood, I believe this is a good interpretation.

Be warned.  This interpretation does not mean that a Christian can focus on bearing the fruit of the Spirit and ignore winning souls!  They are not mutually exclusive activities.  You can do both at the same time.  Indeed, according to this passage you please God when you accomplish fruit bearing in evangelizing others and in maturing in your walk with Christ; and face punishment when you do not fulfill either of the two.

However you interpret the meaning of bearing fruit, the problem still remains that those who do not will be removed.  Who are these?  Are they Christians?

Problem Passages

There are two passages in this section of Scripture that cause confusion, are easily misunderstood, and therefore cause many Christians to have unnecessary fears and worries.

1. “Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes.” (vs. 2a)

2. “If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and withers.  They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (vs. 6)

What does it mean that “He removes” the non-bearing branches; and that they are “thrown aside”…and thrown “into the fire?”  And who are these?

In this passage Jesus is talking to believers about the Christian life.  He describes Christians who produce no fruit (vs. 2a), those who produce some fruit (vs. 2b), and those who produce much fruit (vs. 5).  Since Jesus is talking about Christians, when He says in verse two that those who do not bear fruit God removes, what does this mean?

The Greek word airo, here translated as removes, may also be translated as lifts up.  For this passage, this is a better translation and use of the word.  Think about it:  the emphasis is on the care of the vine by the vineyard keeper.  It would be strange, therefore, if the first activity of the vineyard keeper was destroying parts of the vine.  But it is not at all strange, and indeed better fits the passage to emphasize His activity as lifting up the unproductive branches so they may be better exposed to sunlight; thereby helping those branches develop fruit.

The unproductive, non-fruit bearing Christians in verse two will be moved, lifted, positioned and aided by the vineyard keeper so that they can produce fruit!  The promise of verse five is that every Christian can and should produce much fruit.  In verse two, the vineyard keeper is helping this occur.

It is a different story in verse six.  Jesus starts this verse by saying, “If anyone does not remain in Me…”  Clearly here, Jesus suddenly shifts to describe the fate of non-believers.  It is these non-believers who are gathered as if they had been discarded branches – but they never were actually engrafted onto the vine; they never were saved.  Therefore, this is not a description of Christians losing their salvation.

As for the non-Christians being gathered together and being tossed into the fire, this is consistent with Scripture.  Read what Jesus said on another occasion:

“And He will separate them one from another…He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left…Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!’”  (Matthew 25:32-33,41)

Therefore, if you are a Christian you do not have to worry about verse six.  It does not speak of you.  But it should break your heart to read the verse and realize every lost person you know faces that certain and sure judgment.  Perhaps that thought, as well as the promises of the passage to Christians, will motivate us to bear much fruit for the Kingdom.

And bearing fruit requires being intimately and continually connected to the true vine – Jesus!

¹  Parts of this section taken from:  Gangel, Kenneth O.; Max Anders, gen. ed.  Holman New Testament Commentary: John  (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), pg. 197-199.

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Seven times John records Jesus giving Himself an “I Am” name.  Each one describes an aspect of our relationship with Him; how we should view Jesus and relate to Him.  Each also provides a glimpse of what Jesus offers to all faithful and obedient believers.  May you be enriched and blessed as you study these names and discover what He offers to you each day.

The sixth “I am” name Jesus gave Himself is found in John 14:6; “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Each name Jesus gave Himself indicates a human need He alone can meet.  What do you think the human need is that He alone can meet as “the way, the truth, and the life” for mankind?

The scene for this statement was the Upper Room meal and discourse on the night of His arrest.  This event collectively is known as: The Lord’s Supper.

Soon He will be arrested and the trials and brutality will begin.  These are the final hours of His ministry.  Surely the Cross weighs heavy on His mind; and now, one last opportunity to share words of comfort, hope and exhortation with the disciples.

In the midst of this conversation, Jesus makes a three-part proclamation.

     

1. “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.” (vs. 31b)

2. “Children, I am with you a little while longer.” (vs. 33a)

3. “I give you a new commandment: love one another.” (vs. 34a)

Peter is the first to respond.  “Lord…where are you going?” (vs. 36).  Can you tell which part of the proclamation caught Peter’s attention?

It was not Jesus’ first statement about God receiving glory.  Nor was it the third, which was a new commandment.  Peter honed in on the fact Jesus said He was leaving!  And Peter was concerned.

In response to Peter’s question, Jesus makes a promise (one of the most well-known in Scripture):

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you.  I going away to prepare a place for you.  If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.  You know the way where I am going.”  (John 14:2-4)

This time Thomas is first to respond, likely voicing the same thought the other disciples are thinking.  “Lord…we don’t know where You’re going.  How can we know the way?” (vs. 14:5).  Two things Thomas says the disciples do not know:

1. Where Jesus is going.

2. The “way” or path Jesus is taking.

In response to Thomas, Jesus gives His sixth “I am” statement: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (vs. 6).

Jesus is the path.  He confirms this clearly and beyond discussion with the second sentence of the verse.  No one can approach the Father in Heaven in any way, along any pathway, other than through the Lord Jesus. 

Paul later echoes this truth:

“…we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” (Romans 5:1b-2a)

“For through Him we [all] have access by one Spirit to the father.” (Ephesians 2:18)

As does the writer of Hebrews:

“Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He has inaugurated for us, through the curtain (that is, His flesh)...” (Hebrews 10:19-20; emphasis added)

Jesus made the path to God clear for the disciples.  He then made clear the destination.  When Jesus said, “I am the truth,” He used a phrase that the first century Jewish mind would have immediately understood as referencing God; more specifically, the place where God dwells.

Truth resided, and still does, with God.  It is a part of God, finding its existence in Him.  Thus, there never has been and can never be any truth apart from God.  When Jesus said, “I am the truth,” He was saying, “I am God; and I am going back to where God resides.”

The disciples would have understood that the destination was Heaven.

After telling the disciples the pathway and the destination, Jesus then reminds them of the blessings of making the journey.  “I am the life” has two applications:

1. I am the provider of your abundant life on earth; one filled with myriad blessings and opportunities.

2. I am the provider of your eternal life in Heaven.

Jesus embodies the way to God, the truth about God, and the life in God – both in this world, and throughout eternity.¹

This is an exclusive gospel message.  Jesus, the disciples, the early church and the New Testament know nothing of universalism – the idea that God will somehow save everybody, even those who reject Him in this life.

Rather, the clear teaching from His own lips is that Jesus is the way, the only way.  There is no other way to God.  There is no other path for finding peace, comfort, contentment, joy, life and eternal blessedness in Heaven with the Father, other than through Jesus.

There are two eternal destinations: one of pain, torment and suffering; and one of blessings, joy and happiness.  The first is called Hell, the second, Heaven.  All of mankind is quickly sliding down the slippery slope toward the gates of Hell; except for those who find the narrow and often difficult path that leads upwards.  And dear reader, that path is Jesus, and no other.

¹  Parts of this section taken from:  Gangel, Kenneth O.; Max Anders, gen. ed.  Holman New Testament Commentary: John  (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), pg. 197-199.

I am the Resurrection and the Life

Seven times John records Jesus giving Himself an “I Am” name.  Each one describes an aspect of our relationship with Him; how we should view Jesus and relate to Him.  Each also provides a glimpse of what Jesus offers to all faithful and obedient believers.  May you be enriched and blessed as you study these names and discover what He offers to you each day.

The fifth “I am” name Jesus gave Himself is found in John 11:25; “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Each name Jesus gave Himself indicates a human need He alone can meet.  What do you think the human need is that He alone can meet as the “resurrection and the life” for mankind?

As chapter eleven of John’s Gospel begins, a good friend of Jesus’ is sick…very sick.  Word of this reaches Jesus: “Lord, the one You love is sick” (vs. 3).  How would you expect Jesus to respond to this message?  Based upon what Jesus has already done in John’s Gospel, we might expect Him to heal Lazarus from a distance (as He did the Nobleman’s son, see John 4:46-54); or perhaps to go quickly to Lazarus’ side.

But Jesus did neither.  Instead, He had a two-part response.  First, He gave the reason for Lazarus’ illness: it would be for “the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (vs. 4).  This sickness – and Jesus’ actions/response to it – would bring glory to Himself and to the Father.

The second part of His response is puzzling: Jesus waited.  “He stayed two more days in the place where He was” (vs. 6).  Why wait?  If it was us, we would hurry to Lazarus…get on the road…get started…NOW!  But not Jesus; He waited.  He waited long enough that Lazarus died.

Jesus actually was waiting for His friend to die.  He knew what was happening with Lazarus; and this is precisely why He waited.  If Jesus had arrived too soon, He would have healed Lazarus.  But He already had healed people.  In Lazarus’ circumstances, Jesus was going to perform an even more remarkable miracle.

Examine the facts thus far:

1.      Jesus knew Lazarus was going to die.

2.      He knew the purpose for his death.

3.      He knew when Lazarus was dead.

4.      He then went to where Lazarus was buried to fulfill His purpose.

And when He arrived, Martha (one of Lazarus’ sisters) was waiting!  She first confronted Jesus about taking so long to get there; then confessed her faith that even now He could fix the situation.  Jesus comforted her by saying: “Your brother will rise again” (vs. 23).  To which Martha responded: “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (vs. 24).

Martha gave the standard Jewish interpretation of the Old Testament view of the resurrection.  She, Mary and the Jewish mourners responded to Lazarus’ death with sorrow, defeat and abandonment.  According to their words, Jesus should have been there to prevent his death.  If He were really God, He would have prevented physical death because that is God’s job.  They treated death as the end of life, as the final defeat, a sign that God had deserted them.¹

For them, the presence of death meant the absence of God!  Little did they realize that here was God in the flesh, among them!

Jesus next spoke these wonderful words: “I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.  Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die – ever.  Do you believe this?” (vs. 25-26).

Near the end of his Gospel, John clearly states his purpose for writing this book:  “…so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, you may have life in His name”  (John 20:31).  Two reasons: so that we would believe and have life.

No other portion of the Gospel of John, outside of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Himself, so clearly supports his stated purpose than the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Lazarus.  Here, Jesus clearly states, “I am the source/cause for resurrection.  And I am the source/wellspring of eternal life.”

This “I am” statement is the foundation for our doctrine of the resurrection and the afterlife.  Jesus stated that future resurrection was impossible without Him.  He also stated that real life – life that extends beyond death – is possible only through Him.  No one attains it in any other way.  This life Jesus speaks of comes only to those who believe in Him.

It is interesting to see how the crowd of mourners and supporters responded to what Jesus did when He raised Lazarus from the dead.  According to verses 45 and 46, some believed in Jesus; but others went to report Him to the Pharisees.  These are the same two responses people have today: some believe and receive eternal life; others go away, thereby forfeiting real and lasting life.

Do you believe Him?  Are you trusting Him for your eternity…to give you life that does not end?

¹  Parts of this section taken from:  Gangel, Kenneth O.; Max Anders, gen. ed.  Holman New Testament Commentary: John  (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), pg. 197-199.

I am the Good Shepherd

Seven times John records Jesus giving Himself an “I Am” name.  Each one describes an aspect of our relationship with Him; how we should view Jesus and relate to Him.  Each also provides a glimpse of what Jesus offers to all faithful and obedient believers.  May you be enriched and blessed as you study these names and discover what He offers to you each day.

The fourth “I am” name Jesus gave Himself is found in John 10:11-18; “I am the good shepherd.”

Take a moment to ponder what this name Jesus gave Himself means to you.  Each name Jesus gave Himself indicates a human need He alone can meet.  What do you think the human need is that He alone can meet as the “good shepherd” for mankind?

The setting for this statement was sheep…sheep, sheep and more sheep.  Using this common animal – one well known, with traits understood by the people of His day – Jesus makes important points about Himself and all of us.

Sheep have two needs – other than food and water.  They need a pen to protect them and a shepherd to lead them.  Earlier in John 10, Jesus said He was the door to the pen; that He was/is the protector of His sheep (His sheep means us, Christians).

In this passage He states He is the shepherd for His sheep as well.  More than just a shepherd, He is the good shepherd.  What makes a shepherd good?

Jesus tells us: “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I lay down My life for the sheep” (John 10:11b,15b).  A good shepherd is willing to sacrifice for his sheep.  He is willing to spend many lonely, cold nights and many long, hard days tending to his flock of sheep.  And he does this for little respect from society and not much income – at least in Jesus’ day.  Being a shepherd was not a glamorous gig…just the opposite.  This is one reason it is so amazing that the first public announcement of the birth of the Messiah was to a group of shepherds!

Four times in verses 14-18 Jesus speaks of laying down His life for the sheep.  Here are four important facts from this passage:

            The Good Shepherd…

            1. Knows His sheep, and they know Him. (vs. 14)

            2. Knows the sheep intimately. (vs. 15)

            3. Has various sheep; but they will become one flock. (vs. 16)

            4. Has the right to lay down His life and take it back up again;
                a command received from God. (vs. 18)

In contrast to the Good Shepherd is the hired hand.  In verses 12-13, we learn four things about this employee.

            The hired hand…

            1. Does not own the sheep; so he doesn’t have a sense of protecting
                His own. (vs. 12a)

            2. Sees the wolf (dangers) coming; abandons the sheep and flees.
                (vs. 12b)

            3. Allows the wolf to snatch and scatter the sheep. (vs. 12c)

            4. Does not care about the sheep. (vs. 13)

Each person has a choice: follow the Good Shepherd (join His flock!), or trust the hired hand.  Doesn’t seem like a hard decision to me!  How about for you?

Jesus offers to each person a relationship with Him as the Good Shepherd.  How tragic, not just in this dangerous life but for all of eternity, when someone refuses His saving relationship.

Almost as tragic is when a Christian refuses to embrace Jesus as the Good Shepherd and chooses instead to shepherd himself or herself.  Really?  We’re sheep…sheep aren’t bright and they get lost so easily; wondering away as they graze.  Do you really trust yourself more than the One who willingly lay down His life for you?  Does that seem wise?

Choose the Good Shepherd.  Experience green pastures with flowing streams of water and a life of abundance.  Trust Him, and He will shepherd you all the home!

Additional Thoughts:

I made one statement and listed four important facts about the Good Shepherd.  I want to examine each more closely.¹

The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

He willingly makes the ultimate sacrifice.  Other shepherds might risk their lives for the sheep as David did in fighting wild animals; but they would never intentionally die for the sheep.  This sacrifice, only the Good Shepherd will do.

The shepherd does not die for his sheep to serve as an example, throwing himself off a cliff in a grotesque and futile display while bellowing, “See how much I love you!”  No, the assumption is that the sheep are in mortal danger; that in their defense the shepherd loses his life; and by his death they are saved.  That, and that alone, is what makes him the good shepherd. (D.A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, p. 386)

This passage clearly teaches the Substitutionary Atonement for sin, the supreme sacrifice of Calvary…Jesus’ death to allow the sheep to live.

The Good Shepherd knows His sheep, and they know Him; He knows them intimately and perfectly.

What a comparison!  The Good Shepherd knows the sheep in the same way the Father knows the Son; and the sheep know the Good Shepherd in the same way the Son knows the Father!

The Good Shepherd has other sheep, but only one flock.

Who are these other sheep?  Some are Gentile believers; non-Jewish converts to Christ.  All the sheep will become one flock because they follow one shepherd.  This is a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ.

The Good Shepherd has total authority, received from God.

Jesus said in advance that He would lay down His life willingly, and at the time the Father required it.  Substitutionary Atonement is the heart of the gospel message:

      All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.
(Isaiah 53:6)

Each of us should remember that there are other shepherds in this world; the hired hands as well as the thieves and robbers.  Zechariah made it clear that they exist while pronouncing their coming judgment and doom:

Woe to the worthless shepherd who leaves the flock!  A sword will be on his arm and on his right eye!  His arm will be totally withered and his right eye will be blind. (Zechariah 11:17)

With Jesus as our Good Shepherd, we are safe and secure in His flock!

¹ Parts of this section taken from:  Gangel, Kenneth O.; Max Anders, gen. ed.  Holman New Testament Commentary: John  (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), pg. 197-199.

I am the Door of the Sheep

Seven times John records Jesus giving Himself an “I Am” name.  Each one describes an aspect of our relationship with Him; how we should view Jesus and relate to Him.  Each also provides a glimpse of what Jesus offers to all faithful and obedient believers.  May you be enriched and blessed as you study these names and discover what He offers to you each day.

The third “I am” name Jesus gave Himself is found in John 10:7b; “I am the door of the sheep.”

Take a moment to ponder what this name Jesus gave Himself means to you today.  Each name indicates a human need He alone can meet.  What do you think the human need is that He alone can meet as the “door of the sheep” for mankind?

First, you might be wondering: What does this phrase even mean; what is He talking about?

To understand this quote, you need to know the setting.  In chapter nine, Jesus healed a blind man…and that upset everything!  The Pharisees were incensed.

Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath; which was against their religious laws, according to the Pharisees.  For this infraction, they called Jesus a “sinner” (vs. 9:24) and accused Him of being from Satan (vs. 9:16).

In response to this debate with the Pharisees, Jesus begins talking about sheep and sheep pens (beginning of chapter ten).  Very clearly He says the one who enters by the pen door is the rightful shepherd of the sheep; others who climb in “some other way” are thieves and robbers.  The people listening (including the Pharisees) understood Jesus was talking about Himself and the Pharisees.

So why would a thief or robber enter the sheep pen?  Perhaps for many reasons, but none good: to steal a sheep; to harm the sheep.  The thief and robber operate based on purely selfish motives.

The shepherd, though, cares for the sheep.  He protects them, willing to lay down his life for them.  Jesus calls Himself “the good shepherd” (vs. 10:14), and thus He is!  But why call Himself the door?

As the door, Jesus is the access point for sheep – for them to come into the pen for safety, security, protection and rest; and to go out through for green pastures and meadows.  Just as Jesus is the ONE WAY for any person to come into God’s presence and to ultimately reside with Him for eternity.

Jesus is our door – if we believe in Him – to righteousness, blessed life, forgiveness of sin, joyful living… for all things good.  He is the entrance we must pass through to enter God’s throne room, to have our prayers heard, and to someday be welcomed into Heaven.

One other thing you might want to know:  Sheep are notoriously dumb animals.  They wander off; with their heads down munching grass they easily become lost.  They’re just not bright.  Yet, even sheep know the voice of their shepherd.  They recognize it and come to him when called.  Maybe even better than many of us do the voice of God, they hear and respond.

Interesting note:¹

What is the sheep pen?  In this parable, what does the sheep pen represent?  And, who are these different sheep in the pen?

An actual first-century pen was a place of security, not a place for intruders.  Such a pen would likely have been either circular or square, constructed like a high stone fence or wall.  The entrance would have been the only break in the wall, and once the sheep were safely in at night, the watchman/guard would lie down at the opening, serving both as protector and as the gate.  Indeed, Jesus states in this passage that He is the door to the pen.

Certainly, Jesus’ first-century listeners clearly would have understood his statements about a sheep pen.  They would know how it worked, and would have understood the constant threat from thieves.  Even with first-hand experience and background though, they still did not understand the point of this parable.

I believe the parable encompasses all of God’s people.  All of mankind is under attack from the thief that seeks to destroy – Satan.  But God’s people, the Jews and the Church, are under intense attack from this same enemy.  It is Jesus, and He alone, that guards over the sheep pen…who guards over the people of God.

With Jesus at the door, we can trust His protection…as long as we are in the pen!

¹  Parts of this section taken from:  Gangel, Kenneth O.; Max Anders, gen. ed.  Holman New Testament Commentary: John  (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), pg. 194-195.

I am the Light of the World

Seven times John records Jesus giving Himself an “I Am” name.  Each one describes an aspect of our relationship with Him; how we should view Jesus and relate to Him.  Each also provides a glimpse of what Jesus offers to all faithful and obedient believers.  May you be enriched and blessed as you study these names and discover what He offers to you each day.

The second “I am” name Jesus gave Himself is found in John 8:12a; “I am the light of the world.”

Take a moment to ponder what this name Jesus gave Himself means to you today.  Each name indicates a human need He alone can meet.  What do you think the human need is that He alone can meet as the “light of the world” for mankind?

Two great benefits are granted to Christians from this “I am” statement.  First, those who follow Jesus “will never walk in darkness” (vs. 12b).  Have you ever slept in a new place (on vacation or at a friend’s or family member’s house) and had to get up in the middle of the night?  If there is no light in the room, it’s very difficult – and dangerous for your shins and toes – to be walking around!

Much more important than that, think about all the sin that happens after the sun goes down!  Night is a time of more immorality, sinful activity and law-breaking than during the day.

Even in Scripture, darkness refers to evil – whether it’s darkness in the world, or in our hearts.  Light refers to goodness, purity and a place of righteousness and peace before God and men.  Which would you rather live in each day…evil or goodness?

Jesus said He was the light that shines into a dark world, to reveal God and His plan; and into the heart of each person who believes in Him, to reveal sin so it can be recognized, repented of, and removed permanently!  Only the Light can do this for you…which brings us to the second great benefit granted to Christians from this “I am” statement.

“Anyone who follows Me…will have the light of life” (vs. 12a,c).

Jesus doesn’t just shine into the world to provide input for your eyes; He shines to change you from the inside out!  This change provides life: real, meaningful, purposeful, fulfilling and eternal life.

Sin (darkness) leads to eternal death – separation from God forever and from everything good.  Light (Jesus) leads to forgiveness, which leads to righteousness (right standing before God).  Thus, the Light provides life – not separation from, but eternity in the presence of, God.  In God's presence reside all things good: love, joy, laughter, smiles, etc.

Like water and bread, light is necessary for life to exist.  In this passage, Jesus explains that spiritual light comes to those who willingly follow Him.  Three assumptions arise from this verse:

1.      The world needs Light (John told his readers this in chapter one).

2.      Conditions must be met in order to see and know the Light.

3.      Walking in the Light can be permanent.

This section of John’s Gospel picks up three major Old Testament wilderness themes  This reminds his readers of how God dealt with His people in the past, and still does today.  Jesus is compared to each of these.

Chapter 6: Comparison between manna and the Bread of Life.

Chapter 7: Comparison between water in the desert and the Living Water.

Chapter 8: Comparison with the pillar of fire which led the people through the wilderness by night and the Light of the world.

Interesting note:¹

This teaching of Jesus (which includes verse 8:12) occurred during the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles; also known as the Feast of Lights because of the various ways lights were used in the activities/ceremonies of the feast.

From the earliest verses of the first chapter in his Gospel, John has been fascinated with the link between light and life.  In this passage…this “I am” saying of Jesus…we do not have a statement about everyone participating in the light, but the exclusion of all who do not follow the true Light.

Some interpreters have suggested that Jesus may have drawn this illustration from the great candlestick (Menorah) which cast its light over the room in which he was teaching.  If so, then every Jew there understood that this Menorah candle would be extinguished at the end of the Feast of Lights.  In this setting, Jesus is indicating that His light would shine forever!

Personal Application:

Children, and often we adults, are comforted at night by the small glow from a night-light.  Many of us enjoy dining by candlelight.  Most enjoy the dancing glow from a campfire, or logs in the fireplace as they burn.  There is even a psychological condition that occurs in the winter – people get depressed – because there is not as much bright sunlight!

Light is so important, physically and spiritually.  Seeing the obstacles helps us avoid running into them or stumbling over them.  But to see them, we must have light.

Rescue from darkness (sin) and eternal life in God’s presence, both can be yours today if you believe in and receive the Light into your heart and life.

¹  Parts of this section taken from:  Gangel, Kenneth O.; Max Anders, gen. ed.  Holman New Testament Commentary: John  (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), pg. 161.