John 10

This whole chapter is great. It deals with the Good Shepherd (Jesus), the sheep (followers of Jesus) and the thief (Satan). I think what is really powerful is to go through the chapter and look at the characteristics of each, especially what the true characteristics of the sheep are. If we do not do what Jesus says sheep do than we are not truly sheep. In other words, if we do not listen and follow than we aren't really His sheep.

10:3 - ... the sheep recognize his voice and come to him.

10:4 - ... he walks AHEAD of them... - To be a true sheep you have to be okay with the Shepherd walking in front of you, not with you or behind you. If you aren't okay with Jesus being in front you aren't a sheep. ...they follow him...

10:7 - I am the gate for the sheep.

10:9 - Sheep get to be saved, come and go freely, find good pastures. Saved is obvious in meaning. Come and go freely I think mean live in peace and safety without concern. Find good pastures mean know they will always be lead and provided for.

10:10 - thief = steal, kill, destroy
shepherd = rich and satisfying life

10:11-13 - A good shepherd would sacrifice himself because it isn't about the money. This is true of Jesus and it should be true of those of us that pastor His Church.

10:16 - This verse says that Jesus has other sheep, but the part people forget is it says they are of the SAME shepherd. The reason other religions don't fit this verse is they do not follow the Good Shepherd, Jesus.

10:18 - No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded. - Love this verse.

10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice; - This is repeated several times. To be a sheep is to listen to Jesus.

10:28-29 - ... No one can snatch them away from me, ... he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father's hand. - I love this. It reminds me of a son letting other people know that no one is stronger than His Dad.

Love, Michael