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Weekly Message | July 6th, 2008
Passage: John 10:14-42
Key Verse(s): 28,29
What is life? Moses said, "The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away."(Psalm 90:10) Surely, this life is like a moment compared to eternal life. This life has so much uncertainty. Issues in this life are quite complex. Many aspects of this life remain a mystery to us. Therefore, we must approach the subject of eternal life with humility. The three gospels--Matthew, Mark and Luke focus on Jesus' beautiful life and ministry on this earth. On the other hand through, John's gospel God reveals the mystery and wonder of our eternal salvation. In John's gospel the words "eternal life" are repeated more than in any other gospel. In this passage we learn the great gift of Jesus—eternal life—our relationships with God through Jesus that continues from this world.
First, “I know my sheep and my sheep know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father” (14, 15). Our relationship flows! Look at verses 14, 15: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.'" The word "know" is repeated four times. Here, the word "know" is used to describe the most intimate, close and personal relationship. In the Bible, to love is to know. “Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived (Gen 4:1, RSV). This is more than sexual relationship. Adam loved his wife. Husband and wife has such deep knowledge—physical, emotional and spiritual union.
In describing his relationships with the sheep Jesus speaks about the relationship flows. Jesus follows the relationship pattern with his Father. God the Father knows Jesus the Son. Jesus knows the Father. God the Father loves Jesus. Jesus loves the Father. With this solid base Jesus loves his sheep. Because of this wonderful relationship Jesus laid down His life for the sheep.
The great joy of Christian life is this: Jesus, the Son, knows God, the Father, and God, the Father, knows Jesus, the Son. To Jews the doctrine of the Trinity (i.e., the Father, the Son and the Spirit) is a stumbling block. To Moslems it is blasphemy. But to Christians it is the central, glorious truth of all. We know God, the Father, through Jesus, the Son. Do you have any experiences in attending a party full of strangers around you? Yet, you are with your dear friend. Little children may never forget the first football or baseball game that they watched with their dad and mom together. It is much easier for us if we connect to the strangers through someone who know us.
Jesus is our Mediator for us. Jesus stands by us. Jesus speaks for us. Jesus defends us absolutely against anyone. Why? Jesus, the good Shepherd, knows us. We are not strangers to him. Jesus knew us enough to pay this price—the most precious price of all—His glory, His life, His death and His resurrection.
It is worth meditating on the pattern of relationship that Jesus has with the Father. God, the Father, knows Jesus, the Son. In God's eyes, Jesus is most credible. God, the Father, is glorious. Jesus, the Son, also has the same glory. All the angels of heaven adore and worship Jesus, the Son, just as they do with God the Father. Whatever Jesus says, God, the Father, never disputes it. God, the Father, accepts Jesus' recommendation without any questions or reservations. God honors those who honor Jesus. The more we worship Jesus, the Son, the more God the Father is pleased.
Jesus teaches us the real need for such relationship flows. Some fortunate people experienced perfect and wonderful relationship patterns from birth. In his fallen and imperfect world it is so common that our critical relationships (e.g., with our parents, siblings, friends) are broken and strained. But our relationship with Christ provides new patterns of relationships for us. That’s why we have let this relationship form and flow. The essence of life challenges is relational. Jesus is primary in all our relationships. In and through Christ we find strengths to love and welcome others. We offer even a cup of cold water because Christ loved us first. We feed Jesus’ sheep because Jesus has shepherded us in love. This is what it means that relationship flows! After Purdue International Summer Bible Conference we will welcome more than 200 guests. We will practice hospitality in the mind of Jesus Christ.
Second, Jesus lay down his life of his own accord”(16-21). Our relationship matters! Look at verse 16: "'I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.'" Here, Jesus refers to the Gentiles. All people need the Good Shepherd Jesus. God's desire is to save his people from their sins and bring them into his sheep pen.
Bringing other sheep for Jesus is pioneering life. David Livingston (1813-1874) delivered a message based on John 10:16 when he left for Africa. Throughout his missionary life he did two things: (1) explore the land of Africa including the discovery of the Victoria Falls; (2) he wrote extensively on the conditions of African people and horrors of the slave trades. These are some of his famous quotes. “All that I am I owe to Jesus Christ, revealed to me in His divine Book”. He was first and foremost Jesus’ sheep. He never forgot Jesus his good shepherd. “I am prepared to go anywhere, provided it be forward.” Since he followed Christ, he kept moving forward. “If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.” He was not looking for familiar road. He was following the paths that no one ever traveled. His last written words by letter were:
’All I can say in my solitude is, may Heaven's rich blessing come down on every one--American, English, Turk--who will help heal this open sore of the world.” He loved Christ and so he loved the African people.
Look at verses 17 and 18: "'The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.'" How did Jesus lay down His life? In eternity Jesus is glorious. He gave up his heavenly glory. He was born in a manger. He lived in obscurity for so many years. Jesus exercised His authority by His personal decision. Jesus did so of His own accord—joyfully and willingly. Jesus came to this earth. Jesus gave His life on the cross. The process of laying down his life is real and costly. Why?
Our relationship with God matters.
Jesus lays down his life for the sheep. Relationship is costly. We bear this cost through Christ Jesus our Lord. Our intention to love has its own season but not sufficient. The more we love Christ, the more we engage in labor of love. At some point we ask, “Why does this increasing burdens? Why do I keep doing this?” Many feel burdened and experience exhaustion. Because of Christ, we accept the costly nature of loving others. Through Christ Jesus we willingly love others. We do not depend on shallow well of our own capacity to love; rather we draw rich wells of Christ who loves us.
From verses 19-21 we read about the division among the Jews. Some people approved Jesus and accepted his message. Many others rejected him and opposed his message. Jesus was simply too controversial among the Jews at that time. Yet, the good news was this: Jesus’ labor of love was not in vain. People slowly came to appreciate the precious sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. Some started putting their faith in Jesus.
Third, Jesus gives eternal life (22-30). Relationship lasts. The Apostle John wrote the gospel according to theme, not necessarily according to chronological order. The theme of chapter 10 is "Jesus the Good Shepherd". In order to teach more about Jesus the Good Shepherd, he recorded the event during the Feast of Dedication. The Feast begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev and lasts eight days. This Feast, known as Hanukkah, commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians in 165 B.C., and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. It was also called the "Feast of Lights". During this Feast some people came to Jesus. They asked Jesus to tell more plainly about His true identity. This was to trap and destroy Jesus. It is ironic that they did this while celebrating the Feast of Dedication.
Look at verse 25, Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me." Jesus did not teach the truth in secret. Rather, He taught the truth very plainly and straightforwardly. Jesus performed many miracles. In John's Gospel we see the first miracle in Cana in Galilee. It was to bless the beautiful wedding of a couple. He transformed water into wine. The second miracle was to heal the nobleman's son. (4:46-54) The third sign was the healing of a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. The fourth sign was the feeding of the five thousand. The fifth sign was Jesus' walking on the water. The sixth sign was healing the man born blind. The seventh sign was raising Lazarus from the dead. Finally, the greatest sign of all was His resurrection from the dead. All these miracles show that Jesus is more than a great man. All these miracles reveal that Jesus is the Savior of the world.
In spite of all his mighty miracles the Pharisees did not believe in Jesus. They rejected him. How did Jesus explain their rejection? Jesus said, "...but you do not believe because you are not my sheep." Jesus did not feel hopeless about this. He accepted the condition of the people as it was. They were not Jesus' sheep. Jesus was hopeful in all. Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." Jesus' sheep surely listen to His voice. His sheep follow and obey him.
Look at verse 28, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." Be careful and pay attention to this absolute statement of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not say, "God will give eternal life through me." Rather, Jesus said, "I give them eternal life." Eternal life! What is it? Teenage students may wonder, “How can I feel good every day? Why do I feel bad so bad today? What can I do about this?” Young college students may ask, “Who am I? What will I do with my life?” As people pass through middle ages ask, “What have I really done with my life? How have I done?” These are important questions in this life. These issues challenge us to grow up. Yet, these are not the most important issue of all. We may lose many things--job, health, friends, family, a good reputation, sweet fellowship, and their own lives. Successes in this life may be important but not that critical to allow our souls being swept away with despair. Nothing can snatch away our eternal relationships with God through Christ. Therefore, as long as what is most valuable is secure in the hands of God, we have reasons to hope and live—keep moving forward to the kingdom of God. Christians move forward this home. Nothing in all creation can snatch away our happiness with God. The emphasis is "never". No one can snatch Jesus' sheep out of God’s hand.
Look at verse 29, "My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." It is worthwhile to consider "the doctrine of eternal salvation." God's children, once saved, are preserved. Nothing in all creation will take away this precious salvation. This truth is very solid food. Spiritual babies may not handle this well. If a person stuffs a big 12 oz steak, two big mashed potatoes, and a salad all at once into a baby's mouth, the baby will choke to death. People think that this life is the continuous process of gaining and growing—knowledge, things and fame. In the right time we start losing—our memory, health and strength. At the end we realize that we cannot take anything out of this world. Hear the words of Apostle Paul in his later years, "You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me…At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them"(2 Tim. 1:15, 4:16). He was alone. Yet, nothing could snatch away his joy with the Lord. Read the book of Job. When God allowed it, all the precious things of Job were taken away one by one—his properties, children, friends, and health. Nothing left. He, with great suspicion and doubt, only cried out to God in pain. Even so, this is not the end. Likewise, this life has the elements of taking our joy with Jesus away. The threats to take away our eternal life are real. But Satan will not succeed. God protects and preserve his children through Christ Jesus. After turbulent teenage years (with troubles in their lives) young people appreciate unconditional love of their parents. Likewise, this truth of "eternal salvation" makes sense as we love and know Jesus more deeply. It is after seeing God’s hands of protection on different occasions.
In conclusion, Jesus is our good Shepherd. Jesus gives us eternal life. No power of evil can snatch Jesus' sheep away. What does it mean to have eternal life? Eternal life does not start after our death. This eternal life is with Jesus. This eternal life enables us to persevere in this life because we are secure forever in God’s hands. Therefore, take time to know Jesus—both good and bad times.
July 6, 2008. Toledo UBF.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
