John 10-12 The Good Shepherd
Psalm 119:169-176 Rescuing A Faithful Sheep
Ps 119:169 TAU “Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word. 170 Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
171 Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172 Let my tongue respond to your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me. 176 I wander about like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments."
Observations: 119:169-170 In the final section of this magnificent psalm the author calls out to God for deliverance. The previous sections have increasingly mentioned the opposition he faces because of his commitment to God's word. Here he asks for understanding, grounds his cry for help/deliverance upon God's word.
119:171-172 Two verses of praise, first for the fact that God reveals and teaches him His statutes (so he can do them), and then a song in response to the righteous commandments of God (worship = response to revelation).
119:173-176 In the closing verses of the psalm which opened with declaring the blessedness of the one who walks in God's ways, and seek Him wholeheartedly, he declares his heart and soul are set on God's word: he's chosen/decided for God's precepts, delighted in them, and has not forgotten them. Thus he looks forward to God's help, salvation, and rescue from the effects of his oppressors, for he wanders about like a lost sheep, and asks God to seek and save him. Some commentators see this as a confession of sin, but that view is so alien to the context. We've just had 175 verses of the psalmist wholeheartedly seeking God, and then we end on “save me I've gone astray?????” No way! There are a number of possible translations for wander/stray, and although stray/err is the most common, the reason there are other meanings is because the word has different meaning. The way one determines the correct meaning is to understand the context, not interpret it out of one's experience (as most defeated sinners, who don't obey God's word, do). The very last phrase affirms that even in the midst of oppression for his commitment to God's word, he hasn't forgotten it. Go back and look at just this section and ask yourself are these the words of a sinning sheep who has gone astray, or of a struggling sheep who has been harassed and persecuted by sinners, and is asking God to seek and rescue him from them?
Application: Those who wholeheartedly seek God as revealed in His word, will experience opposition from sinners and rescue/deliverance from God.
Prayer: My Good Shepherd, I praise You for revealing Yourself in Your word in such a way that I can respond to it, and experience the delights of knowing You and Your goodness; thanks for rescuing me from the difficulties I encounter in following You. Amen.
Proverbs 29:15-21 Wise Kids Are A Delight
Pr 29:15 “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother. 16 When the wicked increase, sin increases: but the righteous shall see their fall. 17 Correct your son, and he shall give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul. 18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint/perish: but one who keeps the law, is blessed. 19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understands he will not respond. 20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 21 A servant pampered from youth will have him turn out to be insolent-arrogant-thankless-son.“ (NIV)
Observations: 29:15-21 Disciplining your children result in delight. Wisdom is a function of both the rod (punishment/negative reinforcement) and reproof (instruction, bring error to light). An inconsistent, lazy parent will be shamed by their foolish child. The wise parent will raise wise children who are a delight. This is also the secret to raising kids with great self-esteem (see The Magic Lamp of Self-esteem on Truthbase.net). When both kids and people do not have Revelation to guide them, they cast off all restraints, and revert to barbaric behavior. (Have you been on a college campus on the weekend recently?) Correction must be accompanied by consequences, both for kids and employees. Mere words tend to be ignored. Speaking of mere words, not thinking through what one says and the potential impact on others is not wise, but beyond foolish. In verse 21 “pampered” and “insolent” only occur once in the OT, so the translation is difficult. Based upon similar words in other languages, the pampered servant will seek to assume the inheritance rights of a son.
Application: Wise children are the product of wise parenting who mirror God's parenting of His children, using both truth and consequences.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the timeless truths of Your word, and the delight I've found in following them; You truly are the all-wise God. Amen.
John 10-12 Jesus reveals Himself to be the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, so they can believe and receive eternal life. He claims to be God, the resurrection and the life, raising the dead to validate His claims. He is confessed as the Messiah, and sought by the Gentiles. Yet some believe and some don't. Those who believe His light become children of light; those who don't, remain in darkness.
John 10 The Good Shepherd is One with the Father
4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don’t know the voice of strangers." 6 Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn’t understand what he was telling them. 7 Jesus therefore said to them again, "Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture.
10a The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
10b I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. 13 The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn’t care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; 15 even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father."
19 Therefore a division arose again among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is insane! Why do you listen to him?" 21 Others said, "These are not the sayings of one possessed by a demon. It isn’t possible for a demon to open the eyes of the blind, is it?"
30 I and the Father are one." 31 Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?" 33 The Jews answered him, "We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God." 34 Jesus answered them, "Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods?’ 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can’t be broken), 36 do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ 37 If I don’t do the works of my Father, don’t believe me. 38 But if I do them, though you don’t believe me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
39 They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand. 40 He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was baptizing at first, and there he stayed. 41 Many came to him. They said, "John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true." 42 Many believed in him there.
Observations: 1:1-9 Ezekiel 34 is probably the background to this chapter, although it isn't quoted. There God lambasts the false shepherds leading Israel for their own benefit, and promises a good shepherd (a Davidic descendant). John the Baptist is a likely candidate for the gatekeeper, but that is neither specified nor emphasized. The sheep don't follow the voice/teaching of anyone except their shepherd, who protects them with his life. Listening to His voice/teaching is crucial, and is emphasized throughout the book. Jesus presents Himself as the door to salvation and good pasture to those who listen and follow. Note that forgiveness and justification aren't mentioned, nor righteousness by faith in His atoning work. Remember there are different meanings to the word “salvation” (See introduction to Matthew) and this is more about the glorification blessings of the Millennial Age, than anything else.
Ezek 34:12 “As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered... 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down," says the Lord Yahweh. 16 "I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment." 23 “I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them - My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd.”
10:10 Jesus states that His purpose in coming was so that the sheep might not only have life, but have it abundantly. This is John's purpose in writing the gospel. Jn 20:31 “but these are written, that you may believe (aorist tense) that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing (present tense) you may have life in his name.” The first section of the book (up to chapter 13) provide the signs to help people believe. The latter section (esp. Upper Room Discourse) provides teaching to believers about how to have the abundant life. Not everyone who believes experiences the abundant life, that will be dependent upon abiding in His word (Jn 8:31-32; 15:1-10).
10:11-21 Jesus is the not only the door (verses 7,9) but also the good shepherd, who deliberately lays down His life for the sheep. Jesus doesn't explicitly state that His death is a vicarious sacrifice for the sins, but does emphasize His choice and power in laying it down and taking it up. He says this is why the Father loves Him (you need to figure this one out on your own). Jesus owns the sheep (by virtue of creating them and being given them by the Father). He has other sheep (Gentiles) which will be combined with the Jews (like the blind beggar was ejected from the synagogue) to form one flock (the church?) comprised of those who listen to His voice and follow Him. As we've seen throughout the book, some accept, and others reject, just like today. Those who don't believe attribute His miracles to the devil (see “the unpardonable sin” comments -Mk 3:29; Lk 12:15) which will happen again below.
10:22-29 A new feast is mentioned, instituted by Judas Maccabaeus in 164 BC to commemorate the purification of the temple after its defilement by Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 BC. Two months had past since the Feast of Booths mentioned in chapter 8. But the subject matter of the first half of chapter 10 is similar. This is Jesus' final confrontation with the Establishment, and presents His clearest claims to Deity. They demand to know if He is the Christ/Messiah. He says He told them (through His works) but they wouldn't accept it and believe. The reason Jesus gives for their rejection is that they are not of (ek) His sheep, as He said He told them. In John 8:44-45 Jesus told them that the reason the Establishment could not understand and hear His voice was because they were of (ek) their father the devil, the father of lies. Since Jesus was speaking truth, they couldn't believe it, since their paradigm was falsehood. “Ek” is a preposition that frequently indicates source or origin. Jesus was their Creator, not the devil; they had gone over to the dark side, exchanging their heritage as descendants of Abraham for the present possession Satan offered them in the temporal realm. Only a few, like Joseph of Arimathea (Mk 15:43) and Nicodemus (Jn 7:50) were seeking the fulfillment of God's promises. The Pharisees were not of (ek) the group that acknowledged God as their Father, while those who believed Him were. Jesus says in verse 27 that His sheep hear, have a relationship with (know), and follow Him. He gives them eternal life (dominion of the Age), and they will never (literally=”not to/eis the age”) perish/killed/destroyed (same verb in 3:16-17 and 10:10a), nor will anyone take them away (like the wolf does in 10:12). That's because the Father, is greater than all and protects them.
10:30-39 In verse 30 Jesus makes the equation that He and the Father are one. He is not saying they are the same person (“one” is neuter, not masculine). He does not say I am the Father, but maintains their distinctive characters. Steam plus ice equal water (Trinity anyone?). The same essence expressed in different forms/functions. The Father is God in heaven; Jesus is God in the outward form of man on earth (Phil 2). When the Jews go for the stones again, Jesus asks for which good work do they want to stone Him. He is “forcing” them to confess His point, that He is claiming to be God. He did the same thing at His trials in the synoptics. Notice, He doesn't say, “Oh, wait, you've got it all wrong, I didn't meant that; either you misheard or I misspoke.” Instead, He quotes Psalm 82:6 where the judges who are not carrying out their task (just like evil shepherds) are called “gods” ('elohiym = mighty ones) by God ('elohiym), who will judge them (Ps 86:1). His point has an application and an implication. If God calls judges gods, than someone claiming to be God isn't saying anything other than what God said, and can't be called blasphemy (literally “to injure the fame” of someone {by speaking against them}). The implication is that they will be judged for failing to judge righteously and care for God's sheep. The comment that Scripture cannot be broken is not some random teaching about inerrancy, but a veiled reference to the judgment they will receive (read all eight verses of Psalm 82 to see how applicable it is to the situation). Jesus was set apart (sanctified -Phil 2) and sent by God to do His will, hence He is appropriately the Son of God, as His works testify. Note that He is still trying to get them to believe in verse 38, He is not rejecting them because they are not of (ek) His sheep, but trying to move them back into the flock; but they refuse to know and believe.
10:39-42 Again they try to seize Him, but He slips away and goes to where John was announcing the Kingdom promised in the OT and baptizing those who repented and started living in light of the coming Messianic Kingdom. Even though John didn't do any signs, the people believed. Jesus did signs, and those living for this world rejected Him, yet many believed Him there, outside Jerusalem.
Application: Jesus offers life and abundant life to those who believe and follow Him. Those who are living for this world will reject Him and His truth. They will be judged (in a not good way).
Prayer: Lord, You are my Shepherd; I will listen for Your voice and follow whatever You say, for You are the One who cares for me, and will lead me to green pastures and still waters. You restore my soul. Praise You! Amen.
John 11 Resurrection and the Life
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 and said, "Where have you laid him?" They told him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 The Jews therefore said, "See how much affection he had for him!" 37 Some of them said, "Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?" 38 Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." 40 Jesus said to her, "Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?" 41 So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, "Father, I thank you that you listened to me. 42 I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude that stands around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me." 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Free him, and let him go."
45 Therefore many of the Jews, who came to Mary and saw what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the things which Jesus had done. 47 The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, "What are we doing? For this man does many signs. 48 If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." 49 But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish." 51 Now he didn’t say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day forward they took counsel that they might put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples. 55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand. Many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then they sought for Jesus and spoke one with another, as they stood in the temple, "What do you think—that he isn’t coming to the feast at all?" 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had commanded that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it, that they might seize him.
Observations: 11:1-16 The account of Lazarus echos that of the man born blind. An undesirable situation is allowed for God to be able to display His glory in rectifying it. Here Jesus purposefully delays healing His dear friend so He can resurrect him after he dies. God allows pain in our lives, even though He loves us, so He can achieve a greater good than our temporary comfort. Not only is God glorified by allowing Lazarus to die, but the basis of the disciples' belief is strengthened. Jesus refers to death as sleep (cf Daniel 12:2) since our first death is a temporary condition before resurrection to life or more permanent death (Rev 20:14). Lazarus was not only born again, he died again.
11:17-44 Martha had faith to know that Jesus could have healed her brother; in light of her comments in verses 24 and 39 she wasn't expecting a resurrection. It looks like she is affirming her confidence in Jesus' relationship with God, in spite of the death of her brother. Jesus promises Martha that Lazarus will rise again. Since she knows Daniel 12:2 she knows that will happen at the last day. But Jesus gives a preview of what He promised in 5:25 (cf 1Thess 4:16) and reveals the impact of “I am the resurrection and the life.” Because He is the source of resurrection, those who believe in Him will live (again), even if they die. Because He is the source of (spiritual) life, those who believe in Him will never die (spiritually), they have as their present possession, life on the spiritual plane (3:16; 5:24; 10:28). Martha confesses her belief in Him as the Messiah, who comes into the world (1:9). Jesus next ministers to Mary, who takes up her usual place at His feet, and has a similar comment as Martha (cf v 21 and 32). His response is very different, weeping with her in her grief. This is particularly noteworthy, because He knew He would resurrect Lazarus, and there would be tears of joy. His tears were born partly out of empathy, but also to elicit the response from the crowd. Jesus fulfills His promise and calls Lazarus out of the tomb, displaying God's power/glory. Like the resurrection of Jarius' daughter, there is still work to do after the resurrection.
11:45-57 Many believed as a result of this seventh and final sign (before His own resurrection). But some didn't and went and told the Pharisees, who betray their purpose for living. Their concern isn't the eternal welfare of God's nation and the blessings of the Messianic Kingdom, but their temporal position in the secular kingdom under Rome (so much for never being in bondage -8:33). So they plot to kill Jesus for the good of the nation as they see it. Here God is using the evil passions of evil men to bring about His glorious purposes to bless His people as promised.
Application: God allows evil and suffering in the temporal time frame to bring about a greater good in the eternal realm. The degree to which we suffer is determined by our focus and perspective.
Prayer: God, I trust that all you allow into my life is for my good, for You are infinitely good; may I confidently trust You to work it together for the greater good, and Your glory. Amen.
John 12 Believe the Light; Become a Child of Light
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast. 21 These, therefore, came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we want to see Jesus." 22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn, Andrew came with Philip, and they told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, "The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life/soul will lose it. He who hates his life/soul in this world will keep it to eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
27 "Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this time?’ But for this cause I came to this time. 28 Father, glorify your name!" Then there came a voice out of the sky, saying, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29 The multitude therefore, who stood by and heard it, said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 30 Jesus answered, "This voice hasn’t come for my sake, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." 33 But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die. 34 The multitude answered him, "We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, ’The Son of Man must be lifted up?’ Who is this Son of Man?" 35 Jesus therefore said to them, "Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light." Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them.
37 But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they didn’t believe in him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, "Lord, who has believed our report? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" 39 For this cause they couldn’t believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 "He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and would turn, and I would heal them." 41 Isaiah said these things when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.
42 Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, 43 for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.
44 Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. 45 He who sees me sees him who sent me 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness. 47 If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day. 49 For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak."
Observations: 12:1-11 Jesus returns to Bethany before His final Passover, and Mary anoints Him (see comments on Mt 26 and Mk 14). Judas objects because of His worldly values cloaked in religiosity. In contrast to Mary's love of Jesus, he loved money. Because of the influence of Lazarus, the Pharisees plotted his death.
12:12-19 For comments on the triumphal entry (Palm Sunday) see Matthew 21.
12:20-26 John alone mentions the Greeks who want to see Jesus, and then doesn't tell us any more about them. But notice the role the disciples play in relaying the request to Jesus. It is through the Jews that the Gentiles get blessed. Jesus then reiterates the message given in the synoptics when He first called the disciples, with a particular application to Himself. The word for lose/destroy is the same as that in 10:28. For losing and gaining see comments on Matthew 10:39; Mark 8:36; Luke 14:26. Dying to this world is necessary to bear fruit, which is necessary for eternal reward and honor/glory from God. The promise of God honoring those who serve Him is as certain as any of God's promises. Do you believe and value this?
12:27-36 This is the closest John gets to recording Jesus in prayer (before the high priestly prayer in chapter 17), and it's more like a conversation (fitting with John's purpose to show Jesus is God). The Father responds for the benefit of the disciples. God had been glorified through the Incarnation and miracles, and would be glorified through the resurrection and Pentecost. The world would be judged by the death of Jesus, and what looked like a victory for the prince of this world (Satan) would actually be his dethronement. When Jesus was lifted up (crucifixion) He would draw all men to Himself. The preaching of the cross has done that through the ages, as people have escaped the dominion of darkness to live in the light. Those who believed the light would become children of light (central point of the prologue -Jn 1:11-12). The Christ does remain forever, and His kingdom would not be destroyed (Dan 7:14). His death would just be a final step on His journey back to heaven.
12:37-43 Although many believed, some didn't despite the signs. Isa 53 and 6:10 are quoted to explain why Israel as a nation didn't believe. They were unable to believe because they had rejected God's revelation, the content of which they needed to believe. God hardened them in their decision (as He did Pharaoh) to accomplish His purposes. In the case of Egypt, it was the physical deliverance of His people, through the plagues and the Red Sea; in the case of the nation and their leadership, it was the spiritual deliverance of His people, through the death and resurrection of Christ. Verse 42 emphasizes that some of the rulers did believe.
12:44-50 Belief in Jesus was belief in God, who sent him. Jesus came as a light, so that people who believe in Him would move out of darkness. If people didn't believe what Jesus said, He wouldn't judge/condemn them, but the words they rejected would judge them on the last day. Jesus spoke the commands of God, which led to eternal life. Those who reject His words, reject God's commands, and reject eternal life (dominion of the Age). Therefore, they themselves would be rejected from that life.
Application: Do you believe Jesus' words: 12:24 “Most truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life/soul will lose it. He who hates his life/soul in this world will keep it to eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”?
If you do, how have you died? How are you bearing fruit? If you don't believe them, what makes you think they won't judge you on the last day?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I follow my Lord's example and die to things of this world, so I may follow Him and serve You, knowing You will honor me. Thanks for Your unfailing promises. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God uses personal tragedy and the evil schemes of wicked people to bring about a greater good for us, the world, and Himself (glory).
Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is not only the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, but also the Light of the World, the Resurrection and the Life, who gives light and life to all who believe and follow Him.
Us in a nutshell: We need to die to this world and live for the next. Some believe that truth; some don't. Those who do believe, will enjoy honor and blessings in the future. Those who don't believe, and live for the blessings of this life won't be blessed in the future.
Where to Go for More:
Truthbase.net
John complete text
John 10
10:1 "Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn’t enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. 4 Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don’t know the voice of strangers." 6 Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn’t understand what he was telling them. 7 Jesus therefore said to them again, "Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. 10 The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. 13 The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn’t care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; 15 even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father."
19 Therefore a division arose again among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is insane! Why do you listen to him?" 21 Others said, "These are not the sayings of one possessed by a demon. It isn’t possible for a demon to open the eyes of the blind, is it?"
22 It was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem. 23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, "How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me. 26 But you don’t believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one." 31 Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?" 33 The Jews answered him, "We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God." 34 Jesus answered them, "Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods?’ 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can’t be broken), 36 do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ 37 If I don’t do the works of my Father, don’t believe me. 38 But if I do them, though you don’t believe me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
39 They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand. 40 He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was baptizing at first, and there he stayed. 41 Many came to him. They said, "John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true." 42 Many believed in him there.
John 11
11:1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha. 2 It was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, "Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick." 4 But when Jesus heard it, he said, "This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God’s Son may be glorified by it." 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When therefore he heard that he was sick, he stayed two days in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let’s go into Judea again." 8 The disciples told him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and are you going there again?" 9 Jesus answered, "Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If a man walks in the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light isn’t in him." 11 He said these things, and after that, he said to them, "Our friend, Lazarus, has fallen asleep, but I am going so that I may awake him out of sleep." 12 The disciples therefore said, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep. 14 So Jesus said to them plainly then, "Lazarus is dead. 15 I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him." 16 Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let’s go also, that we may die with him."
17 So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away. 19 Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. 20 Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed in the house. 21 Therefore Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Even now I know that, whatever you ask of God, God will give you." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. 26 Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, he who comes into the world." 28 When she had said this, she went away, and called Mary, her sister, secretly, saying, "The Teacher is here, and is calling you." 29 When she heard this, she arose quickly, and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was in the place where Martha met him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and were consoling her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, "She is going to the tomb to weep there." 32 Therefore when Mary came to where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died."
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 and said, "Where have you laid him?" They told him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 The Jews therefore said, "See how much affection he had for him!" 37 Some of them said, "Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?" 38 Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." 40 Jesus said to her, "Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?" 41 So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, "Father, I thank you that you listened to me. 42 I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude that stands around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me." 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Free him, and let him go."
45 Therefore many of the Jews, who came to Mary and saw what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the things which Jesus had done. 47 The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, "What are we doing? For this man does many signs. 48 If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." 49 But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish." 51 Now he didn’t say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day forward they took counsel that they might put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples. 55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand. Many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then they sought for Jesus and spoke one with another, as they stood in the temple, "What do you think—that he isn’t coming to the feast at all?" 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had commanded that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it, that they might seize him.
John 12
12:1 Then six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. 3 Mary, therefore, took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. 4 Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said, 5 "Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?" 6 Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it. 7 But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me." 9 A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there, and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
12 On the next day a great multitude had come to the feast. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!" 14 Jesus, having found a young donkey, sat on it. As it is written, 15 "Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt." 16 His disciples didn’t understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him. 17 The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, was testifying about it. 18 For this cause also the multitude went and met him, because they heard that he had done this sign. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the world has gone after him."
20 Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast. 21 These, therefore, came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we want to see Jesus." 22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn, Andrew came with Philip, and they told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, "The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him.
27 "Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this time?’ But for this cause I came to this time. 28 Father, glorify your name!" Then there came a voice out of the sky, saying, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29 The multitude therefore, who stood by and heard it, said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 30 Jesus answered, "This voice hasn’t come for my sake, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." 33 But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die. 34 The multitude answered him, "We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, ’The Son of Man must be lifted up?’ Who is this Son of Man?" 35 Jesus therefore said to them, "Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light." Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them.
37 But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they didn’t believe in him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, "Lord, who has believed our report? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" 39 For this cause they couldn’t believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 "He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and would turn, and I would heal them." 41 Isaiah said these things when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.
42 Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, 43 for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.
44 Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. 45 He who sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness. 47 If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day. 49 For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak."
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