John 10 Verses 1-5

John 10:1-5

This discourse continues in the same setting as John 9. In the Middle East, it is common to compare people to a shepherd and his sheep. Kings and priests called themselves shepherds and their subjects were sheep. The Bible uses this analogy frequently. Such Old Testament individuals as Abraham, Isaac, Moses and David considered themselves shepherds. This is seen in the fact that Moses and David were leaders over large amounts of people. Some of the most famous passages in the Bible use this motif. http://ref.ly/Ps23 http://ref.ly/Is53.6

http://ref.ly/Lk15.1-7

It is not just the Twenty-third Psalm that this refers to. It is found in many places throughout the Old and New Testaments. The psalmist wrote, “We are his people, the sheep of his pasture” Psalm 100:3. Isaiah declares, “He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young” Isaiah 40:11. Mark writes in his gospel “they were like sheep without a shepherd” Mark 6:34 (This refers to the crowd of people.) The author of Hebrews spoke of Jesus as the “great Shepherd” Hebrews 13:20. Peter saw Jesus as the “Chief Shepherd” to whom the undershepherds are responsible. I Peter 5:4.

From this rich imagery, this parable begins the tenth chapter of John’s Gospel. “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not know his voice.” John 10:1-5

There is an underlying sympathy between the shepherd and his sheep and of the unfailing love and vigilance of the Great Shepherd.

 

We Can Never Frustrate Jesus

 

John 9:1 (KJV)
(1) “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.”

Note:

These notes are taken from Boice Expositional Commentary. This database is a part of WordSearch’s biblical software, which is located on my laptop.

 

The first and great lesson of John 9 is that man cannot frustrate God. It should be understood that man’s hatred and man’s sin could not frustrate God. God accomplishes his purposes sovereignly. He saves by grace those whom He chooses to call to Himself.

The fact that the religious leaders hated Jesus to the point of stoning Him did not frustrate Jesus. Stoning was a serious action. Yet it did not shake Jesus from His mission. If they had attempted to stone Jesus, it would have caused a great turmoil in the temple precincts. Jesus removed Himself probably just a stone’s throw away from this area. He stopped to fix his eyes on the blind beggar who had been sitting near the temple gate.

Jesus was focused on His mission. We find Jesus calm and self-possessed. He is acting with profound disregard of His enemies and their hatred. Jesus had God’s point of view. Jesus persevered in His ministry to a dying world. He began to elect some to salvation. Note Romans 9:15.

This verse tells us about the God we serve. We should know that nothing would frustrate Him. Jesus said He would build His church, and the gates of hell would not prevail against it. If we make God’s purposes our purposes, we will not be frustrated either. If this is carried out, frustration will disappear and life will receive new meaning. If we are working for the Lord, then our work will bear fruit and Jesus Christ will be glorified.

 

The way Jesus handled this situation should serve as an example for us. We are to rejoice in our tests and trials. James 1:2  We are to handle to handle our enemies like Jesus handles His. He did not allow His enemies deter Him from His divine mission. He stayed focused, and we should too. The next time you are faced with an enemy that seeks to destroy you, remember Jesus.

 

The Pool

The pool mentioned at the beginning of this chapter has been found by archaeologists. When people visit St. Anne’s Church in Jerusalem, you will be shown the deep excavation, which reveals the ancient Pool of Bethesda. This name is Hebrew, and it has been spelled various ways. With each variation comes a different meaning. Some say it means “house of mercy” or “house of grace.” Others say it means “place of the two outpourings.” [Bible Exposition Commentary (BE Series) – New Testament Volume 1- Be Alive (John 1-12) – John – Chapter Five, p. 304] There is both historical and archaeological evidence that two adjacent pools of water served this area in ancient times.

 

The pool is situated near the northeast corner of the Old City, which is close to the Sheep Gate. http://ref.ly/Ne3.1 and http://ref.ly/Ne12.39. There have been discovered five porticoes or covered colonnades which confirms the accuracy of the description given here in John’s Gospel.