(1) Background:
a. What is a fold v1?(NET)
There was more than one type of sheepfold in use in Palestine in Jesus’ day. The one here seems to be a courtyard in front of a house (the Greek word used for the sheepfold here, αὐλή [aulē] frequently refers to a courtyard), surrounded by a stone wall (often topped with briars for protection).
b. What is a flock v.3?
v.3b He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out
v.16 (we will read tomorrow) I have other sheep that do not come from this sheepfold. I must bring them too, and they will listen to my voice, so that there will be one flock and one shepherd.
There were sheeps that were in the 1st fold that are not His, but when He called His own sheeps (flock) would come out v.3. Then there were sheeps that belonged to Him, but they were in another fold. He would also bring them out and together they would form 1 fold v.16. Jewish and Gentiles Christians would form 1 church.
c. If chapter 10 followed immediately after the incident of the born blind man (see 10: 21) then Jesus was talking to the Pharisees and the blind man together (9:35-41). This is a continuation of their conversation. The Pharisees were the thieves and robbers who came before Jesus v.8.
(2) v.1-2 described the difference between the thief/robber versus the shepherd. then v.5 Jesus also described the stranger. Both groups of people were not recognized by the sheep v.4,5, 8.
(a) The shepherd verse the stranger
The Shepherd did not need to worry about the stranger, because His sheep hear His voice, they follow Him only because they recognized His voice. They will not follow the stranger because they do not recognize the stranger;s voice.
What was the purpose of this passage?
v.3-6, Jesus is the shepherd and true believers would know that.
v.3 The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.10:4 When he has brought all his own sheep out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.
Reflection: Is there something in your heart that resonates when you hear Jesus? Do you open the door for Him? When He calls you will you let Him to lead you? The Shepherd led the sheep out so that the sheeps would find pasture to eat. Will you let Him lead you? Do we let Jesus go ahead of us and follow Him? Or we always make our own decisions and just "report" to God and ask for His blessings?
Reflection: Is there something in your heart that resonates when you hear Jesus? Do you open the door for Him? When He calls you will you let Him to lead you? The Shepherd led the sheep out so that the sheeps would find pasture to eat. Will you let Him lead you? Do we let Jesus go ahead of us and follow Him? Or we always make our own decisions and just "report" to God and ask for His blessings?
(b) The door and the thieves/robbers
Sheep did not listen to thieves and robbers, but note in v.5 Jesus did not worry that the sheep would follow the stranger, but in v.10 the thief would come to steal and destroy. Therefore, here Jesus said He is the door for the sheep v.7, 9. He kept those who entered through Him saved and had abundant life.
v.9 I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and go out, and find pasture.
(NET) “come in and go out” is in some places an idiom for living or conducting oneself in relationship to some community (“to live with, to live among”)... Luke 9:4, where both these verbs occur in the context of the safety and security provided by a given household for the disciples.
What was the purpose of this passage?
v.7-10 True believers should be aware of the thieves/robbers, but they were assured that they would be saved by the door, Jesus. Not only saved, but more than that. They will be in relationship to a community, find pasture, and have abundant life. (NET-That is, more than one would normally expect or anticipate).
Reflection: Thank God we enter through this Door, Jesus! It is a different world before and after we entered the Door. Do you want to be stolen, killed or destroyed? Or to have the abundant life?
Audrey
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