The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.

John 10:1-6

The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. John 10:3-5

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 10:1-6, Jesus continues to teach - here His focus is on His role between Himself (the Good Shepherd) and those who follow Him - His sheep.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus emphasizes His authority as He begins to teach, starting with "[t]ruly, truly."  He then starts to describe His role with those who follow Him - He is both the sheepfold door and the Good Shepherd (v1-3a) who serves as the only way to God - this is similarly described in John 14:6 where Jesus shares that "no one comes to the Father except through me."  One cannot be saved unless they believe in Jesus.  Matthew 7:13-14 also shares how this path to salvation through Jesus is a narrow gate - if we seek an easier path, either through the wide gate or by climbing in "by another way" as described in v1, one cannot be saved but instead will be eternally condemned. Followers of the Good Shepherd/Jesus know Jesus' voice (v3-4) - which implies that we seek Him and then listen to Him as He reveals Himself to us. Jesus knows His followers (He is Our Creator), He leads them (lamp onto our feet - Psalm 119:105), and they follow Him (v4). Jesus' followers are able to distinguish between Him and false gods who claim to be truth (v5).   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Everyone is led by something/someone and from a spiritual perspective - they are led either through a wide gate that leads to destruction or through a narrow gate that leads to life to the full now and for eternity.  Those listening to Jesus (including His disciples but also others such as the Jews/Pharisees per v19), did not understand.  There is often text that we don't understand from scripture - this is why we need to continue to listen to Jesus (and His appointed messengers such as pastors) and it is OK to struggle/wrestle with God and ask Him to reveal Himself to us and bless us (Genesis 32:22-32 - see this post). 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not seek the wide gate or to climb into the sheepfold by going around the door.  Do not follow strangers' voices or false gods - only Jesus.  Claim the promise that Jesus knows you, loves you, and leads you into green pastures (Psalm 23), cares for you, and ultimately saves you.  Follow the example of those who enter the sheepfold through Jesus-the narrow gate and door of the sheepfold. Follow Jesus out of the sheepfold - listen to Him by doing daily to scripture for His care and feeding.   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are the narrow gate, the Way, Truth, and the Life.  I know that no one comes to You except through Jesus!  I know that Jesus knows me, loves me, and saves me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

John 10

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how Jesus intimately knows each individual believer. John Piper seeks for believers to be encouraged how God knows them.  Piper writes: "[t]hey are not anonymous, lost in the flock."  Using John 10:14-15, he extends his thought by sharing that "[t]here is a real similarity between the way Jesus knows his Father in heaven and the way he knows his sheep. Jesus sees himself in the Father, and he sees himself in his disciples. To some degree Jesus recognizes his own character in his disciples. He sees his own brand mark on the sheep. This endears them to him."  Piper wraps the devotion by pointing to 2 Timothy 2:19 where Paul similarly echoes Jesus's words that "[t]he Lord knows those who are his."  We are urged to see how God's knowledge of us, His deep intimacy, is a "privilege...[and] a precious gift to all his sheep, and it contains within it profound, personal fellowship and affection and the promise of eternal life." Believers be encouraged by how God knows You!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for knowing everything about me - including my sin and brokenness - yet still loving me, welcoming me into Your family, and saving me.  I am not deserving of such blessings and gifts. My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.