The tenth chapter of John's Gospel begins with a warning. Jesus warned Jews about false shepherds. They are thieves and robbers. They abandon and abuse the sheep.They are greedy and illegitimate leaders.They claim revelation from God but do not give any evidence of truth. They are trying to lead people while avoiding the door. True leader enters by the door. In this chapter Jesus claimed that He is the door and the good shepherd. He saw the people like sheep, fainted and scattered abroad and without shepherd(Matt 9:36). Sheep usually get lost and prone to follow strangers. Without shepherd they are in danger. Shepherding is hard work. Shepherds have unique relationship with the sheep. When sheep enters the sheepfold he would hold the rode low at the entrance and allow the sheep to pass under the rode. He make sure whether the sheep needs attention or not. In fact Jesus is the only door into the sheepfold(John 14:6; Act 4:12). Those who enter by Him will be saved and find strength for present life. David said "the LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want(Ps 23:1). Jacob knew the Lord as the one who has been his shepherd all his life(Gen 48:15).Do you know Him as your shepherd?
Jesus said "I am the Good shepherd who gives his life for the sheep". Christ gave His life as a voluntary act of sacrifice.He has the power to lay it down and take it back. He enters the sheepfold by the authorized gate.He came to do the will of the Father. He knows sheep by their name.Good shepherd goes ahead of his sheep. He leads them to pastures. His fold includes both Jews and Gentiles. Jesus warned Jews about religious leaders that they are hired people. They have no love for the sheep and run away in danger. But Jews did not comprehend the story of shepherd and the sheep. They did not believe Christ because they were not His sheep. But His sheep hear His voice, He knows them and they follow Him. Jesus said "I will give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one".This passage explains believer's eternal security and assurance of salvation. Security is the fact based on the work of God through Christ. Salvation is always by grace and not by work. We are saved to serve(Eph 2:8-10). Salvation is not initiated by us either. It is not man reaching out to God but God reaching out to us(Rom 5:6-8). Also salvation is not an after thought of God, but His eternal plan to save us through Christ(1Pet 1:18020; 2Tim 1:9). Assurance is the confident realization that we have eternal life as we hear and follow the Lord in obedience. That gives as the assurance of salvation. Once a person is saved, he is saved forever. God the Father and God the Son are in agreement in believer's eternal security.
Jesus Claiming equality with the Father angered the Jews. They took stones to stone Jesus. They failed to recognize Him by His good work. He challenged them by saying "which of my good work deserve stoning?". They said "You have made yourself equal with God".Christ appealed them to consider His work and believe Him. But they sought to arrest Him. Jesus escaped from them. Yet many believed in Him. Do you know this Good Shepherd who loved you and gave Himself for you? Do you enjoy the eternal life that God provided through His Son Jesus Christ? Do you have the assurance of salvation?. May God help us.
Jesus said "I am the Good shepherd who gives his life for the sheep". Christ gave His life as a voluntary act of sacrifice.He has the power to lay it down and take it back. He enters the sheepfold by the authorized gate.He came to do the will of the Father. He knows sheep by their name.Good shepherd goes ahead of his sheep. He leads them to pastures. His fold includes both Jews and Gentiles. Jesus warned Jews about religious leaders that they are hired people. They have no love for the sheep and run away in danger. But Jews did not comprehend the story of shepherd and the sheep. They did not believe Christ because they were not His sheep. But His sheep hear His voice, He knows them and they follow Him. Jesus said "I will give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one".This passage explains believer's eternal security and assurance of salvation. Security is the fact based on the work of God through Christ. Salvation is always by grace and not by work. We are saved to serve(Eph 2:8-10). Salvation is not initiated by us either. It is not man reaching out to God but God reaching out to us(Rom 5:6-8). Also salvation is not an after thought of God, but His eternal plan to save us through Christ(1Pet 1:18020; 2Tim 1:9). Assurance is the confident realization that we have eternal life as we hear and follow the Lord in obedience. That gives as the assurance of salvation. Once a person is saved, he is saved forever. God the Father and God the Son are in agreement in believer's eternal security.
Jesus Claiming equality with the Father angered the Jews. They took stones to stone Jesus. They failed to recognize Him by His good work. He challenged them by saying "which of my good work deserve stoning?". They said "You have made yourself equal with God".Christ appealed them to consider His work and believe Him. But they sought to arrest Him. Jesus escaped from them. Yet many believed in Him. Do you know this Good Shepherd who loved you and gave Himself for you? Do you enjoy the eternal life that God provided through His Son Jesus Christ? Do you have the assurance of salvation?. May God help us.
