WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudy

Bible
John10
Verses142
Chapter10
THESHEPHERDANDHISSHEEP(John10:16)
10:16Jesussaid:"ThisisthetruthItellyouhewhodoesnot
enterthesheepfoldthroughthedoor,butclimbsinsomeother
way,isathiefandarobber.Buthewhocomesinthroughthe
dooristheshepherdofthesheep.Thekeeperofthedooropens
thedoortohimandthesheephearhisvoiceandhecallshis
ownsheepbynameandleadsthemout.Wheneverheputshis
ownsheepout,hewalksinfrontofthemandthesheepfollow
him,becausetheyknowhisvoice.Buttheywillnotfollowa
stranger,buttheywillrunawayfromhim,becausetheydonot
knowthevoiceofstrangers."Jesusspokethisparabletothem,
buttheydidnotknowwhathewassayingtothem.
ThereisnobetterlovedpictureofJesusthantheGoodShepherd.Thepictureofthe
shepherdiswovenintothelanguageandimageryoftheBible.Itcouldnotbe
otherwise.ThemainpartofJudaeawasacentralplateau,stretchingfromBethelto
Hebronforadistanceofabout35milesandvaryingfrom14to17milesacross.The
ground,formostpart,wasroughandstony.Judaeawas,muchmoreapastoralthan
anagriculturalcountryandwas,therefore,inevitablethatthemostfamiliarfigureof
theJudaeanuplandswastheshepherd.
Hislifewasveryhard.Noflockevergrazedwithoutashepherd,andhewasnever
offduty.Therebeinglittlegrass,thesheepwereboundtowander,andsincethere
werenoprotectingwalls,thesheephadconstantlytobewatched.Oneithersideof
thenarrowplateauthegrounddippedsharplydowntothecraggydesertsandthe
sheepwerealwaysliabletostrayawayandgetlost.Theshepherd'staskwasnot
onlyconstantbutdangerous,for,inaddition,hehadtoguardtheflockagainstwild
animals.especiallyagainstwolves,andtherewerealwaysthievesandrobbersready
tostealthesheep.SirGeorgeAdamSmith,whotravelledinPalestine,writes:"On
somehighmoor,acrosswhichatnightthehyaenashowl,whenyoumeethim,
sleepless,farsighted,weatherbeaten,leaningonhisstaff,andlookingoutoverhis
scatteredsheep,everyoneofthemonhisheart,youunderstandwhytheshepherd
ofJudaeasprangtothefrontinhispeople'shistorywhytheygavehisnametotheir
king,andmadehimthesymbolofprovidencewhyChristtookhimasthetypeof
selfsacrifice."Constantvigilance,fearlesscourage,patientloveforhisflock,were
thenecessarycharacteristicsoftheshepherd.
IntheOldTestamentGodisoftenpicturedastheshepherd,andthepeopleashis
flock."TheLordismyshepherd:Ishallnotwant"(Psalms23:1)."Thoudidstlead
thypeoplelikeaflockbythehandofMosesandAaron"(Psalms77:20)."Wethy
people,theflockofthypasture,willgivethankstotheeforever"(Psalms79:13).
"Giveear,OShepherdofIsrael,thouwholeadestJosephlikeaflock"(Psalms
80:1)."HeisourGod,andwearethepeopleofhispasture,andthesheepofhis
hand"(Psalms95:7)."Wearehispeople,andthesheepofhispasture"(Psalms
100:3).God'sAnointedOne,theMessiah,isalsopicturedastheshepherdofthe
sheep."Hewillfeedhisflocklikeashepherd:hewillgatherthelambsinhisarms,

andwillcarrytheminhisbosom,andgentlyleadthosethatarewithyoung"(Isaiah
40:11)."HewillbeshepherdingtheflockoftheLordfaithfullyandrighteously,and
willsuffernoneofthemtostumbleintheirpasture.Hewillleadthemallaright"(SS
17:45).TheleadersofthepeoplearedescribedastheshepherdsofGod'speople
andnation."Woetotheshepherdswhodestroyandscatterthesheepofmy
pasture!"(Jeremiah23:14).Ezekielhasatremendousindictmentofthefalse
leaderswhoseektheirowngoodratherthanthegoodoftheflock."Woebetothe
shepherdsofIsraelwhohavebeenthemselves!Shouldnotshepherdsfeedthe
sheep?"
ThispicturepassesoverintotheNewTestament.JesusistheGoodShepherd.He
istheshepherdwhowillriskhislifetoseekandtosavetheonestrayingsheep
(Matthew18:12Luke15:4).Hehaspityuponthepeoplebecausetheyareassheep
withoutashepherd(Matthew9:36Mark6:34).Hisdisciplesarehislittleflock(Luke
12:32).Whenhe,theshepherd,issmittenthesheeparescattered(Mark14:27
Matthew26:31).Heistheshepherdofthesoulsofmen(1Peter2:25),andthegreat
shepherdofthesheep(Hebrews13:20).
JustasintheOldTestamentpicture,theleadersoftheChurcharetheshepherds
andthepeoplearetheflock.ItisthedutyoftheleadertofeedtheflockofGod,to
accepttheoversightwillinglyandnotbyconstraint,todoiteagerlyandnotforlove
ofmoney,nottousethepositionfortheexerciseofpowerandtobeanexampleto
theflock(1Peter5:23).PaulurgestheeldersofEphesustotakeheedtoallthe
flockoverwhichtheHolySpirithadmadethemoverseers(Acts20:28).ItisJesus'
lastcommandtoPeterthatheshouldfeedhislambsandhissheep(John21:1519).
Theverywordpastor(Ephesians4:11)istheLatinwordforshepherd.
TheJewshadalovelylegendtoexplainwhyGodchoseMosestobetheleaderof
hispeople."WhenMoseswasfeedingthesheepofhisfatherinlawinthe
wilderness,ayoungkidranaway.Mosesfollowedituntilitreachedaravine,whereit
foundawelltodrinkfrom.WhenMosesgotuptoithesaid:'Ididnotknowthatyou
ranawaybecauseyouwerethirsty.Nowyoumustbeweary.'Hetookthekidonhis
shouldersandcarrieditback.ThenGodsaid:'Becauseyouhaveshownpityin
leadingbackoneofaflockbelongingtoaman,youshallleadmyflockIsrael.'"
Thewordshepherdshouldpaintapicturetousoftheunceasingvigilanceand
patienceoftheloveofGodanditshouldremindusofourdutytowardsourfellow
men,especiallyifweholdanykindofofficeinthechurchofChrist.
THESHEPHERDANDHISSHEEP(John10:16continued)
ThePalestinianshepherdhaddifferentwaysofdoingthingsfromtheshepherdsof
ourcountryand,togetthefullmeaningofthispicture,wemustlookattheshepherd
andthewayinwhichheworked.
Hisequipmentwasverysimple.Hehadhisscrip,abagmadeoftheskinofan
animal,inwhichhecarriedhisfood.Inithewouldhavenomorethanbread,dried
fruit,someolivesandcheese.Hehadhissting.Theskillofmanyofthemenof
Palestinewassuchthatthey"couldslingastoneatahairandnotmiss"(20:16).
Theshepherdusedhisslingasaweaponofoffenceanddefencebuthemadeone
curioususeofit.TherewerenosheepdogsinPalestine,and,whentheshepherd
wishedtocallbackasheepwhichwasstrayingaway,hefittedastoneintohissling
andlandeditjustinfrontofthestrayingsheep'snoseasawarningtoturnback.He
hadhisstaff,ashortwoodenclubwhichhadalumpofwoodattheendoften
studdedwithnails.Itusuallyhadaslitinthehandleatthetop,throughwhicha
thongpassedandbythethongthestaffswungattheshepherd'sbelt.Hisstaffwas
theweaponwithwhichhedefendedhimselfandhisflockagainstmaraudingbeasts
androbbers.Hehadhisrod,whichwasliketheshepherd'scrook.Withithecould
catchandpullbackanysheepwhichwasmovingtostrayaway.Attheendofthe
day,whenthesheepweregoingintothefold,theshepherdheldhisrodacrossthe
entrance,quiteclosetothegroundandeverysheephadtopassunderit(Ezekiel
20:37Leviticus27:32)and,aseachsheeppassedunder,theshepherdquickly
examinedittoseeifithadreceivedanykindofinjurythroughouttheday.
TherelationshipbetweensheepandshepherdisquitedifferentinPalestine.In
BritainthesheeparelargelykeptforkillingbutinPalestinelargelyfortheirwool.It

thushappensthatinPalestinethesheepareoftenwiththeshepherdforyearsand
oftentheyhavenamesbywhichtheshepherdcallsthem.Usuallythesenamesare
descriptive,forinstance,"Brownleg,""Blackear."InPalestinetheshepherdwentin
frontandthesheepfollowed.Theshepherdwentfirsttoseethatthepathwassafe,
andsometimesthesheephadtobeencouragedtofollow.Atravellertellshowhe
sawashepherdleadinghisflockcometoafordacrossastream.Thesheepwere
unwillingtocross.Theshepherdfinallysolvedtheproblembycarryingoneofthe
lambsacross.Whenitsmothersawherlambontheothersideshecrossedtoo,and
soonalltherestoftheflockhadfollowedher.
Itisstrictlytruethatthesheepknowandunderstandtheeasternshepherd'svoice
andthattheywillneveranswertothevoiceofastranger.H.V.Mortonhasa
wonderfuldescriptionofthewayinwhichtheshepherdtalkstothesheep.
"Sometimeshetalkstotheminaloudsingsongvoice,usingaweirdlanguage
unlikeanythingIhaveeverheardinmylife.ThefirsttimeIheardthissheepand
goatlanguageIwasonthehillsatthebackofJericho.Agoatherdhaddescended
intoavalleyandwasmountingtheslopeofanoppositehill,whenturninground,he
sawhisgoatshadremainedbehindtodevourarichpatchofscrub.Liftinghisvoice,
hespoketothegoatsinalanguagethatPanmusthavespokenonthemountainsof
Greece.Itwasuncannybecausetherewasnothinghumanaboutit.Thewordswere
animalsoundsarrangedinakindoforder.Nosoonerhadhespokenthanan
answeringbleatshiveredovertheherd,andoneortwooftheanimalsturnedtheir
headsinhisdirection.Buttheydidnotobeyhim.Thegoatherdthencalledoutone
word,andgavealaughingkindofwhinny.Immediatelyagoatwithabellroundhis
neckstoppedeating,and,leavingtheherd,trotteddownthehill,acrossthevalley,
anduptheoppositeslopes.Theman,accompaniedbythisanimal,walkedonand
disappearedroundaledgeofrock.Verysoonapanicspreadamongtheherd.They
forgottoeat.Theylookedupfortheshepherd.Hewasnottobeseen.Theybecame
consciousthattheleaderwiththebellathisneckwasnolongerwiththem.Fromthe
distancecamethestrangelaughingcalloftheshepherd,andatthesoundofitthe
entireherdstampededintothehollowandleaptupthehillafterhim"(H.V.Morton,
IntheStepsoftheMaster,pp.154,155).W.M.ThomsoninTheLandandtheBook
hasthesamestorytotell."Theshepherdcallssharplyfromtimetotime,toremind
themofhispresence.Theyknowhisvoice,andfollowonbut,ifastrangercall,they
stopshort,liftuptheirheadsinalarm,andifitisrepeated,theyturnandflee,
becausetheyknownotthevoiceofastranger.Ihavemadetheexperiment
repeatedly."ThatisexactlyJohn'spicture.
H.V.MortontellsofascenethathesawinacavenearBethlehem.Twoshepherds
hadshelteredtheirflocksinthecaveduringthenight.Howweretheflockstobe
sortedout?Oneoftheshepherdsstoodsomedistanceawayandgavehispeculiar
callwhichonlyhisownsheepknew,andsoonhiswholeflockhadruntohim,
becausetheyknewhisvoice.Theywouldhavecomefornooneelse,buttheyknew
thecalloftheirownshepherd.Aneighteenthcenturytravelleractuallytellshow
Palestiniansheepcouldbemadetodance,quickorslow,tothepeculiarwhistleor
thepeculiartuneonthefluteoftheirownshepherd.
Everydetailoftheshepherd'slifelightsupthepictureoftheGoodShepherdwhose
sheephearhisvoiceandwhoseconstantcareisforhisflock.
THEDOORTOLIFE(John10:710)
10:710SoJesussaidtothemagain:"ThisisthetruthItell
youIamthedoorofthesheep.Allwhocamebeforemeare
thievesandrobbers,butthesheepdidnotlistentothem.Iam
thedoor.Ifanymanenterinthroughme,hewillbesaved,and
hewillgoinandout,andhewillfindpasture.Thethiefcomes
onlytokillandtostealandtodestroyIamcomethatthey
mighthavelife,andthattheymighthaveitmoreabundantly."
TheJewsdidnotunderstandthemeaningofthestoryoftheGoodShepherd.So
Jesus,plainlyandwithoutconcealment,appliedittohimself.
Hebeganbysaying:"Iamthedoor."InthisparableJesusspokeabouttwokindsof
sheepfolds.Inthevillagesandtownsthemselvestherewerecommunalsheepfolds
whereallthevillageflockswereshelteredwhentheyreturnedhomeatnight.These

foldswereprotectedbyastrongdoorofwhichonlytheguardianofthedoorheldthe
key.ItwastothatkindoffoldJesusreferredinJohn10:23.Butwhenthesheep
wereoutonthehillsinthewarmseasonanddidnotreturnatnighttothevillageat
all,theywerecollectedintosheepfoldsonthehillside.Thesehillsidesheepfolds
werejustopenspacesenclosedbyawall.Inthemtherewasanopeningbywhich
thesheepcameinandwentoutbuttherewasnodoorofanykind.Whathappened
wasthatatnighttheshepherdhimselflaydownacrosstheopeningandnosheep
couldgetoutorinexceptoverhisbody.Inthemostliteralsensetheshepherdwas
thedoor.
ThatiswhatJesuswasthinkingofwhenhesaid:"Iamthedoor."Throughhim,and
throughhimalone,menfindaccesstoGod."Throughhim,"saidPaul,"wehave
accesstotheFather"(Ephesians2:18)."He,"saidthewritertotheHebrews,"isthe
newandlivingway"(Hebrews10:20).JesusopensthewaytoGod.UntilJesus
camemencouldthinkofGodonlyas,atbest,astrangerandas,atworst,an
enemy.ButJesuscametoshowmenwhatGodislike,andtoopenthewaytohim.
HeisthedoorthroughwhomaloneentrancetoGodbecomespossibleformen.
TodescribesomethingofwhatthatentrancetoGodmeans,Jesususesawell
knownHebrewphrase.Hesaysthatthroughhimwecangoinandcomeout.Tobe
abletocomeandgounmolestedwastheJewishwayofdescribingalifethatis
absolutelysecureandsafe.Whenamancangoinandoutwithoutfear,itmeans
thathiscountryisatpeace,thattheforcesoflawandorderaresupreme,andthat
heenjoysperfectsecurity.Theleaderofthenationistobeonewhocanbringthem
outandleadthemin(Numbers27:17).OfthemanwhoisobedienttoGoditissaid
thatheisblessedwhenhecomesinandblessedwhenhegoesout(Deuteronomy
28:6).Achildisonewhoisnotyetablebyhimselftogooutandtocomein(1Kings
3:7).ThePsalmistiscertainthatGodwillkeephiminhisgoingoutandinhis
comingin(Psalms121:8).Onceamandiscovers,throughJesusChrist,whatGodis
like,anewsenseofsafetyandofsecurityentersintolife.Iflifeisknowntobeinthe
handsofaGodlikethat,theworriesandthefearsaregone.
Jesussaidthatthosewhocamebeforehimwerethievesandrobbers.Hewasof
coursenotreferringtothegreatsuccessionoftheprophetsandtheheroes,butto
theseadventurerswhowerecontinuallyarisinginPalestineandpromisingthat,if
peoplewouldfollowthem,theywouldbringinthegoldenage.Alltheseclaimants
wereinsurrectionists.Theybelievedthatmenwouldhavetowadethroughbloodto
thegoldenage.AtthisverytimeJosephusspeaksoftherebeingtenthousand
disordersinJudaea,tumultscausedbymenofwar.Hespeaksofmenlikethe
Zealotswhodidnotminddyingthemselvesandwhodidnotmindslaughteringtheir
ownlovedones,iftheirhopesofconquestcouldbeachieved.Jesusissaying:
"TherehavebeenmenwhoclaimedthattheywereleaderssenttoyoufromGod.
Theybelievedinwar,murder,assassination.Theirwayonlyleadsforeverfarther
andfartherawayfromGod.Mywayisthewayofpeaceandloveandlifeandifyou
willonlytakeit,itleadsevercloserandclosertoGod."Therehavebeen,andstill
are,thosewhobelievethatthegoldenagemustbebroughtinwithviolence,class
warfare,bitterness,destruction.ItisthemessageofJesusthattheonlywaythat
leadstoGodinheavenandtothegoldenageonearthisthewayoflove.
Jesusclaimsthathecamethatmenmighthavelifeandmighthaveitmore
abundantly.TheGreekphraseusedforhavingitmoreabundantlymeanstohavea
superabundanceofathing.TobeafollowerofJesus,toknowwhoheisandwhathe
means,istohaveasuperabundanceoflife.ARomansoldiercametoJuliusCaesar
witharequestforpermissiontocommitsuicide.Hewasawretcheddispirited
creaturewithnovitality.Caesarlookedathim."Man,"hesaid,"wereyoueverreally
alive?"Whenwetrytoliveourownlives,lifeisadull,dispiritedthing.Whenwewalk
withJesus,therecomesanewvitality,asuperabundanceoflife.Itisonlywhenwe
livewithChristthatlifebecomesreallyworthlivingandwebegintoliveinthereal
senseoftheword.
THETRUEANDTHEFALSESHEPHERD(John10:1115)
10:1115"Iamthegoodshepherdthegoodshepherdgiveshis
lifeforthesheep.Thehireling,whoisnotarealshepherd,and
towhomthesheepdonotreallybelong,seesthewolfcoming,
andleavesthesheep,andrunsawayandthewolfseizesthem

andscattersthem.Heabandonsthesheepbecauseheisa
hireling,andthesheeparenothingtohim.Iamthegood
shepherd,andIknowmyownsheep,andmyownsheepknow
me,justastheFatherknowsmeandIknowtheFather.AndI
laydownmylifeforthesheep."
Thispassagedrawsthecontrastbetweenthegoodandthebad,thefaithfulandthe
unfaithfulshepherd.Theshepherdwasabsolutelyresponsibleforthesheep.If
anythinghappenedtoasheep,hehadtoproducesomekindofproofthatitwasnot
hisfault.Amosspeaksabouttheshepherdrescuingtwolegsorapieceofanearout
ofalion'smouth(Amos3:12).Thelawlaiditdown:"Ifitistornbybeasts,lethim
bringitasevidence"(Exodus22:13).Theideaisthattheshepherdmustbringhome
proofthatthesheephaddied,andthathehadbeenunabletopreventthedeath.
DavidtellsSaulhowwhenhewaskeepinghisfather'ssheep,hehadthebattlewith
thelionandthebear(1Samuel17:3436).Isaiahspeaksofthecrowdofshepherds
beingcalledouttodealwiththelion(Isaiah31:4).Totheshepherditwasthemost
naturalthingtoriskhislifeindefenceofhisflock.Sometimestheshepherdhadto
domorethanriskhislife:sometimeshehadtolayitdown,perhapswhenthieves
androbberscametodespoiltheflock.DrW.M.ThomsoninTheLandandtheBook
writes:"Ihavelistenedwithintenseinteresttotheirgraphicdescriptionsofdownright
anddesperatefightswiththesesavagebeasts.Andwhenthethiefandtherobber
come(andcometheydo),thefaithfulshepherdhasoftentoputhislifeinhishandto
defendhisflock.Ihaveknownmorethanonecasewherehehadliterallytolayit
downinthecontest.Apoorfaithfulfellowlastspring,betweenTiberiasandTabor,
insteadoffleeing,actuallyfoughtthreeBedouinrobbersuntilhewashackedto
pieceswiththeirkhanjars,anddiedamongthesheephewasdefending."Thetrue
shepherdneverhesitatedtorisk,andeventolaydown,hislifeforhissheep.
But,ontheotherhand,therewastheunfaithfulshepherd.Thedifferencewasthis.A
realshepherdwasborntohistask.Hewassentoutwiththeflockassoonashe
wasoldenoughtogothesheepbecamehisfriendsandhiscompanionsandit
becamesecondnaturetothinkofthembeforehethoughtofhimself.Butthefalse
shepherdcameintothejob,notasacalling,butasameansofmakingmoney.He
wasinitsimplyandsolelyforthepayhecouldget.Hemightevenbeamanwho
hadtakentothehillsbecausethetownwastoohottoholdhim.Hehadnosenseof
theheightandtheresponsibilityofhistaskhewasonlyahireling.
Wolveswereathreattoaflock.Jesussaidofhisdisciplesthathewassending
themoutassheepinthemidstofwolves(Matthew10:16)Paulwarnedtheeldersof
Ephesusthatgrievouswolveswouldcome,notsparingtheflock(Acts20:29).If
thesewolvesattacked,thehirelingshepherdforgoteverythingbutthesavingofhis
ownlifeandranaway.Zechariahmarksitasthecharacteristicofafalseshepherd
thathemadenoattempttogathertogetherthescatteredsheep(Zechariah11:16).
Carlyle'sfatheroncetookthisimagerycausticallytohisspeech.InEcclefechan
theywerehavingtroublewiththeirministeranditwastheworstofallkindsofsuch
troubleitwasaboutmoney.Carlyle'sfatherroseandsaidbitingly:"Givethehireling
hiswagesandlethimgo."
Jesus'pointisthatthemanwhoworksonlyforrewardthinkschieflyofthemoney
themanwhoworksforlovethinkschieflyofthepeopleheistryingtoserve.Jesus
wasthegoodshepherdwhosolovedhissheepthatfortheirsafetyhewouldrisk,
andonedaygive,hislife.
Wemaynotetwofurtherpointsbeforeweleavethispassage.Jesusdescribes
himselfasthegoodshepherd.NowinGreek,therearetwowordsforgood.Thereis
agathos(Greek#18)whichsimplydescribesthemoralqualityofathingthereis
kalos(Greek#2570)whichmeansthatinthegoodnessthereisaqualityof
winsomenesswhichmakesitlovely.WhenJesusisdescribedasthegood
shepherd,thewordiskalos(Greek#2570).Inhimthereismorethanefficiencyand
morethanfidelitythereisloveliness.Sometimesinavillageortownpeoplespeak
aboutthegooddoctor.Theyarenotthinkingonlyofthedoctor'sefficiencyandskill
asaphysiciantheyarethinkingofthesympathyandthekindnessandthe
graciousnesswhichhebroughtwithhimandwhichmadehimthefriendofall.Inthe
pictureofJesusastheGoodShepherdthereislovelinessaswellasstrengthand
power.

Thesecondpointisthis.IntheparabletheflockistheChurchofChristandit
suffersfromadoubledanger.Itisalwaysliabletoattackfromoutside,fromthe
wolvesandtherobbersandthemarauders.Itisalwaysliabletotroublefromthe
inside,fromthefalseshepherd.TheChurchrunsadoubledanger.Itisalwaysunder
attackfromoutsideandoftensuffersfromthetragedyofbadleadership,fromthe
disasterofshepherdswhoseetheircallingasacareerandnotasameansof
service.Theseconddangerisbyfartheworsebecause,iftheshepherdisfaithful
andgood,thereisastrongdefencefromtheattackfromoutsidebutiftheshepherd
isfaithlessandahireling,thefoesfromoutsidecanpenetrateintoanddestroythe
flock.TheChurch'sfirstessentialisaleadershipbasedontheexampleofJesus
Christ.
THEULTIMATEUNITY(John10:16)
10:16"ButIhaveothersheepwhicharenotofthisfold.These
tooImustbringin,andtheywillhearmyvoiceandtheywill
becomeoneflock,andtherewillbeoneshepherd."
Oneofthehardestthingsintheworldtounlearnisexclusiveness.Onceapeople,or
asectionofapeople,getstheideathattheyarespeciallyprivileged,itisvery
difficultforthemtoacceptthattheprivilegeswhichtheybelievedbelongedtothem
andtothemonlyareinfactopentoallmen.ThatiswhattheJewsneverlearned.
TheybelievedthattheywereGod'schosenpeopleandthatGodhadnouseforany
othernation.Theybelievedthat,atthebest,othernationsweredesignedtobetheir
slaves,and,attheworst,thattheyweredestinedforeliminationfromtheschemeof
things.ButhereJesusissayingthattherewillcomeadaywhenallmenwillknow
himastheirshepherd.
EventheOldTestamentisnotwithoutitsglimpsesofthatday.Isaiahhadthatvery
dream.ItwashisconvictionthatGodhadgivenIsraelforalighttothenations
(Isaiah42:6Isaiah49:6Isaiah56:8)andalwaystherehadbeensomelonelyvoices
whichinsistedthatGodwasnottheexclusivepropertyofIsrael,butthatherdestiny
wastomakehimknowntoallmen.
AtfirstsightitmightseemthattheNewTestamentspeakswithtwovoicesonthis
subjectandsomepassagesoftheNewTestamentmaywelltroubleandperplexus
alittle.AsMatthewtellsthestory,whenJesussentouthisdisciples,hesaidto
them:"GonowhereamongtheGentiles,andenternotownoftheSamaritans,butgo
rathertothelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael"(Matthew10:56).WhentheSyro
PhoenicianwomanappealedtoJesusforhelp,hisfirstanswerwasthathewassent
onlytothelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael(Matthew15:24).Butthereismuchtobe
setontheotherside.JesushimselfstayedandtaughtinSamaria(John4:40)he
declaredthatdescentfromAbrahamwasnoguaranteeofentryintothekingdom
(John8:39).ItwasofaRomancenturionthatJesussaidthathehadneverseen
suchfaithinIsrael(Matthew8:10)itwasaSamaritanleperwhoalonereturnedto
givethanks(Luke17:1819)itwastheSamaritantravellerwhoshowedthekindness
thatallmenmustcopy(Luke10:37)manywouldcomefromtheeastandthewest
andthenorthandthesouthtositdownintheKingdomofGod(Matthew8:11Luke
13:29)thecommandintheendwastogooutandtopreachthegospeltoallnations
(Mark16:15Matthew28:19)Jesuswas,notthelightoftheJews,butthelightof
theworld(John8:12).
WhatistheexplanationofthesayingswhichseemtolimittheworkofJesustothe
Jews?Theexplanationisinrealityverysimple.TheultimateaimofJesuswasthe
worldforGod.Butanygreatcommanderknowsthathemustinthefirstinstance
limithisobjectives.Ifhetriestoattackontoowideafront,heonlyscattershis
forces,diffuseshisstrength,andgainssuccessnowhere.Inordertowinan
ultimatelycompletevictoryhemustbeginbyconcentratinghisforcesatcertain
limitedobjectives.ThatiswhatJesusdid.Hadhegonehere,thereandeverywhere,
hadhesenthisdisciplesoutwithnolimitationtotheirsphereofwork,nothingwould
havebeenachieved.AtthemomenthedeliberatelyconcentratedontheJewish
nation,buthisultimateaimwasthegatheringofthewholeworldintohislove.
Therearethreegreattruthsinthispassage.
(i)ItisonlyinJesusChristthattheworldcanbecomeone.EgertonYoungwasthe

firstmissionarytotheRedIndians.InSaskatchewanhewentoutandtoldthemof
theloveofGod.TotheIndiansitwaslikeanewrevelation.Whenthemissionary
hadtoldhismessage,anoldchiefsaid:"WhenyouspokeofthegreatSpiritjust
now,didIhearyousay,'OurFather'?""Yes,"saidEgertonYoung."Thatisverynew
andsweettome,"saidthechief."WeneverthoughtofthegreatSpiritasFather.We
heardhiminthethunderwesawhiminthelightning,thetempestandtheblizzard,
andwewereafraid.SowhenyoutellusthatthegreatSpiritisourFather,thatis
verybeautifultous."Theoldmanpaused,andthenhewenton,asaglimpseof
glorysuddenlyshoneonhim."Missionary,didyousaythatthegreatSpiritisyour
Father?""Yes,"saidthemissionary."And,"saidthechief,"didyousaythatheis
theIndians'Father?""Idid,"saidthemissionary."Then,"saidtheoldchief,likea
manonwhomadawnofjoyhadburst,"youandIarebrothers!"
TheonlypossibleunityformenisintheircommonsonshipwithGod.Intheworld
thereisdivisionbetweennationandnationinthenationthereisdivisionbetween
classandclass.Therecanneverbeonenationandtherecanneverbeoneclass.
Theonlythingwhichcancrossthebarriersandwipeoutthedistinctionsisthe
gospelofJesusChristtellingmenoftheuniversalfatherhoodofGod.
(ii)IntheKingJamesVersionthereisamistranslation.Ithas:"Thereshallbeone
foldandoneshepherd."ThatmistranslationgoesbacktoJeromeandtheVulgate.
AndonthatmistranslationtheRomanCatholicChurchhasbasedtheteachingthat,
sincethereisonlyonefold,therecanonlybeoneChurch,theRomanCatholic
Church,andthat,outsideitthereisnosalvation.Buttherealtranslationbeyondall
possibledoubtasgivenintheRevisedStandardVersion,is:"Thereshallbeone
flock,oneshepherd,"or,evenbetter,"Theyshallbecomeoneflockandthereshall
beoneshepherd."Theunitycomesfromthefact,notthatallthesheepareforced
intoonefold,buttheyallhear,answerandobeyoneshepherd.Itisnotan
ecclesiasticalunityitisaunityofloyaltytoJesusChrist.Thefactthatthereisone
flockdoesnotmeanthattherecanbeonlyoneChurch,onemethodofworship,one
formofecclesiasticaladministration.Butitdoesmeanthatallthedifferentchurches
areunitedbyacommonloyaltytoJesusChrist.
(ii)ButthissayingofJesusbecomesverypersonalforitisadreamwhichevery
oneofuscanhelpJesustorealize.Mencannothearwithoutapreachertheother
sheepcannotbegatheredinunlesssomeonegoesouttobringthemin.Hereisset
beforeusthetremendousmissionarytaskoftheChurch.Andwemustnotthinkof
thatonlyintermsofwhatweusedtocallforeignmissions.Ifweknowsomeonehere
andnowwhoisoutsidehislove,wecanfindhimforChrist.ThedreamofChrist
dependsonusitiswewhocanhelphimmaketheworldoneflockwithhimasits
shepherd.
LOVE'SCHOICE(John10:1718)
10:1718"ThereasonwhymyFatherlovesmeisthatIlay
downmylifethatImaytakeitagain.Noonetakesitfromme,
butIlayitdownofmyownfreewill.Ihavefullauthoritytolayit
down,andIhavefullauthoritytotakeitagain.Ihavereceived
thisinjunctionfrommyFather."
FewpassagesintheNewTestamenttellussomuchaboutJesusinsoshorta
compass.
(i)IttellsusthatJesussawhiswholelifeasanactofobediencetoGod.Godhad
givenhimatasktodo,andhewaspreparedtocarryitouttotheend,evenifit
meantdeath.HewasinauniquerelationshiptoGodwhichwecandescribeonlyby
sayingthathewastheSonofGod.Butthatrelationshipdidnotgivehimtherightto
dowhathelikeditdependedonhisdoingalways,costwhatitmay,whatGodliked.
Sonshipforhim,andsonshipforus,couldneverbebasedonanythingexcept
obedience.
(ii)IttellsusthatJesusalwayssawtheCrossandtheglorytogether.Henever
doubtedthathemustdieandequallyheneverdoubtedthathewouldriseagain.The
reasonwashisconfidenceinGodhewassurethatGodwouldneverabandonhim.
Alllifeisbasedonthefactthatanythingworthgettingishardtoget.Thereisalways
apricetobepaid.Scholarshipcanbeboughtonlyatthepriceofstudyskillinany

craftortechniquecanbeboughtonlyatthepriceofpracticeeminenceinanysport
canbeboughtonlyatthepriceoftraininganddiscipline.Theworldisfullofpeople
whohavemissedtheirdestinybecausetheywouldnotpaytheprice.Noonecan
taketheeasywayandenterintogloryorgreatnessnoonecantakethehardway
andfailtofindthesethings.
(iii)IttellsusinawaythatwecannotpossiblymistakethatJesus'deathwas
entirelyvoluntary.Jesusstressesthisagainandagain.Inthegardenhebadehis
wouldbedefenderputuphissword.Ifhehadwished,hecouldhavecalledinthe
hostsofheaventohisdefence(Matthew26:53).HemadeitquiteclearthatPilate
wasnotcondemninghim,butthathewasacceptingdeath(John19:1011).Hewas
notthevictimofcircumstance.Hewasnotlikesomeanimal,draggedunwillinglyand
withoutunderstandingtothesacrifice.Jesuslaiddownhislifebecausehechoseto
doso.
ItistoldthatintheFirstWorldWartherewasayoungFrenchsoldierwhowas
seriouslywounded.Hisarmwassobadlysmashedthatithadtobeamputated.He
wasamagnificentspecimenofyoungmanhood,andthesurgeonwasgrievedthat
hemustgothroughlifemaimed.Sohewaitedbesidehisbedsidetotellhimthebad
newswhenherecoveredconsciousness.Whenthelad'seyesopened,thesurgeon
saidtohim:"Iamsorrytotellyouthatyouhavelostyourarm.""Sir,"saidthelad,"I
didnotloseitIgaveitforFrance."
Jesuswasnothelplesslycaughtupinameshofcircumstancesfromwhichhecould
notbreakfree.Apartfromanydivinepowerhemighthavecalledin,itisquiteclear
thattotheendhecouldhaveturnedbackandsavedhislife.Hedidnotlosehislife:
hegaveit.TheCrosswasnotthrustuponhim:hewillinglyaccepteditforus.
MADMANORSONOFGOD(John10:1921)
10:1921TherewasagainadivisionamongtheJewsbecause
ofthesewords.Manyofthemsaid:"Hehasanevilspirit,and
heismad.Whydoyoulistentohim?"Otherssaid:"Theseare
notthewordsofamanpossessedbyanevilspirit.Canaman
withanevilspiritopentheeyesoftheblind?"
ThepeoplewholistenedtoJesusonthisoccasionwereconfrontedwithadilemma
whichisforeverconfrontingmen.EitherJesuswasamegalomaniacmadman,orhe
wastheSonofGod.Thereisnoescapefromthatchoice.Ifamanspeaksabout
GodandabouthimselfinthewayinwhichJesusspoke,eitherheiscompletely
deluded,orelseheisprofoundlyright.TheclaimswhichJesusmadesignifyeither
insanityordivinity.Howcanweassureourselvesthattheywereindeedjustifiedand
nottheworld'sgreatestdelusion?
(i)ThewordsofJesusarenotthewordsofamadman.Wecouldcitewitnessafter
witnesstoprovethattheteachingofJesusisthesupremesanity.Thinkingmenand
womenineverygenerationhavejudgedtheteachingofJesustheonehopeofsanity
foramadworld.HisistheonevoicewhichspeaksGod'ssenseinthemidstof
man'sdelusions.
(ii)ThedeedsofJesusarenotthedeedsofamadman.Hehealedthesickandfed
thehungryandcomfortedthesorrowing.Themadnessofmegalomaniaisessentially
selfish.Itseeksfornothingbutitsowngloryandprestige.ButJesus'lifewasspent
indoingthingsforothers.AstheJewsthemselvessaid,amanwhowasmadwould
notbeabletoopentheeyesoftheblind.
(iii)TheeffectofJesusisnottheeffectofamadman.Theundeniablefactisthat
millionsuponmillionsofliveshavebeenchangedbythepowerofJesusChrist.The
weakhavebecomestrong,theselfishhavebecomeselfless,thedefeatedhave
becomevictorious,theworriedhavebecomeserene,thebadhavebecomegood.It
isnotmadnesswhichproducessuchachange,butwisdomandsanity.
ThechoiceremainsJesuswaseithermadordivine.Nohonestpersoncanreview
theevidenceandcometoanyotherconclusionthanthatJesusbroughtintothe
world,notadeludedmadness,buttheperfectsanityofGod.

THECLAIMANDTHEPROMISE(John10:2228)
10:2228ItwastheFestivaloftheDedicationinJerusalem.It
waswintryweather,andJesuswaswalkingintheTemple
precinctsinSolomon'sPorch.SotheJewssurroundedhim.
"Howlong,"theysaidtohim,"areyougoingtokeepushanging
insuspense?IfyoureallyareGod'sAnointedOne,tellus
plainly."Jesusansweredthem:"Ididtellyouandyoudidnot
believeme.TheworksthatIdointhenameofmyFather,these
areevidenceaboutme.Butyoudonotbelievebecauseyouare
notamongthenumberofmysheep.Mysheephearmyvoice,
andIknowthem,andtheyfollowme.AndIgivethemeternal
life,andtheywillneverperish,andnoonewillsnatchthemfrom
myhand."
Johnbeginsbygivingusboththedateandtheplaceofthisdiscussion.Thedate
wastheFestivaloftheDedication.ThiswasthelatestofthegreatJewishfestivals
tobefounded.ItwassometimescalledTheFestivalofLightsanditsJewishname
wasHanukkah.Itsdateisthe25thoftheJewishmonthcalledChislewwhich
correspondswithourDecember.ThisFestivalthereforefallsverynearourChristmas
timeandisstilluniversallyobservedbytheJews.
TheoriginoftheFestivaloftheDedicationliesinoneofthegreatesttimesofordeal
andheroisminJewishhistory.TherewasakingofSyriacalledAntiochusEpiphanes
whoreignedfrom175to164B.C.HewasaloverofallthingsGreek.Hedecidedthat
hewouldeliminatetheJewishreligiononceandforall,andintroduceGreekways
andthoughts,GreekreligionandgodsintoPalestine.Atfirsthetriedtodosoby
peacefulpenetrationofideas.SomeoftheJewswelcomedthenewways,butmost
werestubbornlyloyaltotheirancestralfaith.
Itwasin170B.C.thatthedelugereallycame.InthatyearAntiochusattacked
Jerusalem.Itwassaidthat80,000Jewsperished,andasmanyweresoldinto
slavery.1,800talentsatalentisequalto240Britishpoundswerestolenfromthe
Templetreasury.Itbecameacapitaloffencetopossessacopyofthelaw,orto
circumciseachildandmotherswhodidcircumcisetheirchildrenwerecrucifiedwith
theirchildrenhangingroundtheirnecks.TheTemplecourtswereprofanedthe
TemplechamberswereturnedintobrothelsandfinallyAntiochustookthedreadful
stepofturningthegreataltaroftheburntofferingintoanaltartoOlympianZeus,and
onitproceededtoofferswine'sfleshtothepagangods.
ItwasthenthatJudasMaccabaeusandhisbrotherarosetofighttheirepicfightfor
freedom.In164B.C.thestrugglewasfinallywonandinthatyeartheTemplewas
cleansedandpurified.Thealtarwasrebuiltandtherobesandtheutensilswere
replaced,afterthreeyearsofpollution.Itwastocommemoratethatpurificationof
theTemplethattheFeastoftheDedicationwasinstituted.JudasMaccabaeus
enactedthat"thedaysofthededicationofthealtarshouldbekeptintheirseason
fromyeartoyear,bythespaceofeightdays,fromthefiveandtwentiethdayofthe
monthofChislew,withgladnessandjoy"(1Maccabees4:59).Forthatreasonthe
festivalwassometimescalledtheFestivaloftheDedicationoftheAltar,and
sometimestheMemorialofthePurificationoftheTemple.
Butaswehavealreadyseen,ithadstillanothername.Itwasoftencalledthe
FestivalofLights.ThereweregreatilluminationsintheTempleandtherewerealso
illuminationsineveryJewishhome.InthewindowofeveryJewishhousetherewere
setlights.AccordingtoShammai,eightlightsweresetinthewindow,andtheywere
reducedeachdaybyoneuntilonthelastdayonlyonewasleftburning.Accordingto
Hillel,onelightwaskindledonthefirstday,andonewasaddedeachdayuntilonthe
lastdayeightwereburning.Wecanseetheselightsinthewindowsofeverydevout
Jewishhometothisday.
Theselightshadtwosignificances.First,theywereareminderthatatthefirst
celebratingofthefestivalthelightoffreedomhadcomebacktoIsrael.Second,they
weretracedbacktoaveryoldlegend.ItwastoldthatwhentheTemplehadbeen
purifiedandthegreatsevenbranchedcandlestickrelit,onlyonelittlecruseof
unpollutedoilcouldbefound.Thiscrusewasstillintact,andstillsealedwiththe
impressoftheringoftheHighPriest.Byallnormalmeasures,therewasonlyoil

enoughinthatcrusetolightthelampsforonesingleday.Butbyamiracleitlasted
foreightdays,untilnewoilhadbeenpreparedaccordingtothecorrectformulaand
hadbeenconsecratedforitssacreduse.Soforeightdaysthelightsburnedinthe
TempleandinthehomesofthepeopleinmemoryofthecrusewhichGodhadmade
tolastforeightdaysinsteadofone.
Itisnotwithoutsignificancethatitmusthavebeenveryclosetothistimeof
illuminationthatJesussaid:"IamtheLightoftheworld."Whenallthelightswere
beingkindledinmemoryofthefreedomwontoworshipGodinthetrueway,Jesus
said:"IamtheLightoftheworldIalonecanlightmenintotheknowledgeandthe
presenceofGod."
Johnalsogivesustheplaceofthisdiscussion,Solomon'sPorch.Thefirstcourtin
theTempleprecinctswastheCourtoftheGentiles.Alongtwosidesofitrantwo
magnificentcolonnadescalledtheRoyalPorchandSolomon'sPorch.Theywere
rowsofmagnificentpillars,almostfortyfeethighandroofedover.Peoplewalked
theretoprayandmeditateandRabbisstrolledthereastheytalkedtotheirstudents
andexpoundedthedoctrinesofthefaith.ItwastherethatJesuswaswalking,
because,asJohnsayswithapictorialtouch,"itwaswintryweather."
THECLAIMANDTHEPROMISE(John10:2228continued)
AsJesuswalkedinSolomon'sPorchtheJewscametohim."Howlong,"theysaid
tohim,"areyougoingtokeepusinsuspense?Tellusplainly,areyouorareyounot
God'spromisedAnointedOne?"Thereisnodoubtthatbehindthatquestionweretwo
attitudesofmind.Therewerethosewhogenuinelywishedtoknow.Theywereonan
eagertiptoeofexpectation.Buttherewereotherswhobeyondadoubtaskedthe
questionasatrap.TheywishedtoinveigleJesusintomakingastatementwhich
couldbetwistedeitherintoachargeofblasphemywithwhichtheirowncourtscould
dealorachargeofinsurrectionwithwhichtheRomangovernorwoulddeal.
Jesus'answerwasthathehadalreadytoldthemwhohewas.True,hehadnotdone
soinsomanywordsfor,asJohntellsthestory,Jesus'twogreatclaimshadbeen
madeinprivate.TotheSamaritanwomanhehadrevealedhimselfastheMessiah
(John4:26)andtothemanbornblindhehadclaimedtobetheSonofGod(John
9:37).Buttherearesomeclaimswhichdonotneedtobemadeinwords,especially
toanaudiencewellqualifiedtoperceivethem.ThereweretwothingsaboutJesus
whichplacedhisclaimbeyondalldoubtwhetherhestateditinwordsornot.First,
therewerehisdeeds.ItwasIsaiah'sdreamofthegoldenage:"Thentheeyesofthe
blindshallbeopened,andtheearsofthedeafunstoppedthenshallthelameman
leaplikeahart,andthetongueofthedumbsingforjoy"(Isaiah35:56).Everyone
ofJesus'miracleswasaclaimthattheMessiahhadcome.Second,therewerehis
words.MoseshadforecastthatGodwouldraiseuptheProphetwhomustbe
listenedto(Deuteronomy18:15).TheveryaccentofauthoritywithwhichJesus
spoke,thewayinwhichheregallyabrogatedtheoldlawandputhisownteachingin
itsplace,wasaclaimthatGodwasspeakinginhim.ThewordsanddeedsofJesus
wereacontinuousclaimtobetheAnointedOneofGod.
ButthegreatmajorityoftheJewshadnotacceptedthatclaim.Aswehaveseenin
Palestinethesheepknewtheirownshepherd'sspecialcallandanswereditthese
werenotofJesus'flock.Inthefourthgospelthereisbehinditalladoctrineof
predestination,thingswerehappeningallthetimeasGodmeantthemtohappen.
JohnisreallysayingthattheseJewswerepredestinednottofollowJesus.
SomehoworotherthewholeNewTestamentkeepstwooppositeideasinbalance
thefactthateverythinghappenswithinthepurposeofGodandyetinsuchaway
thatman'sfreewillisresponsible.Thesehadmadethemselvessuchthattheywere
predestinednottoacceptJesusandyet,asJohnseesit,thatdoesnotmakethem
anythelesstobecondemned.
ButthoughmostdidnotacceptJesus,somedidandtothemJesuspromisedthree
things.
(i)Hepromisedeternallife.HepromisedthatiftheyacceptedhimasMasterand
Lord,iftheybecamemembersofhisflock,allthelittlenessofearthlylifewouldbe
goneandtheywouldknowthesplendourandthemagnificenceofthelifeofGod.

(ii)Hepromisedalifethatwouldknownoend.Deathwouldnotbetheendbutthe
beginningtheywouldknowthegloryofindestructiblelife.
(iii)Hepromisedalifethatwassecure.Nothingcouldsnatchthemfromhishand.
Thiswouldnotmeanthattheywouldbesavedfromsorrow,fromsufferingandfrom
deathbutthatinthesorestmomentandthedarkesthourtheywouldstillbe
consciousoftheeverlastingarmsunderneathandaboutthem.Eveninaworld
crashingtodisastertheywouldknowtheserenityofGod.
THETREMENDOUSTRUSTANDTHETREMENDOUSCLAIM(John10:2930)
10:2930MyFather,whogavethemtome,isgreaterthanall
andnoonecansnatchthemfromthehandoftheFather.Iand
theFatherareone.
Thispassageshow'satoneandthesametimethetremendoustrustandthe
tremendousclaimofJesus.
HistrustwassomethingwhichtracedeverythingbacktoGod.Hehasjustbeen
speakingabouthissheepandhisflockhehasjustbeensayingthatnoonewillever
snatchhisownfromhishand,thatheistheshepherdwhowillkeepthesheepfor
eversafe.Atfirstsight,andifhehadstoppedthere,itwouldhaveseemedthat
Jesusputhistrustinhisownkeepingpower.Butnowweseetheothersideofit.It
ishisFatherwhogavehimhissheepthatbothheandhissheepareinhisFather's
hand.JesuswassosureofhimselfbecausehewassosureofGod.Hisattitudeto
lifewasnotselfconfidence,butGodconfidence.Hewassecure,notinhisown
power,butinGod's.Hewassocertainofultimatesafetyandultimatevictory,not
becausehearrogatedallpowertohimself,butbecauseheassignedallpowerto
God.
Nowwecometothesupremeclaim."IandtheFatherareone,"saidJesus.What
didhemean?Isitabsolutemystery,orcanweunderstandatleastalittleofit?Are
wedriventointerpretitintermsofessenceandhypostasisandalltherestofthe
metaphysicalandphilosophicnotionsaboutwhichthemakersofthecreedsfought
andargued?Hasonetobeatheologianandaphilosophertograspevenafragment
ofthemeaningofthistremendousstatement?
IfwegototheBibleitselffortheinterpretation,wefindthatitisinfactsosimple
thatthesimplestmindcangraspit.LetusturntotheseventeenthchapterofJohn's
gospel,whichtellsoftheprayerofJesusforhisfollowersbeforehewenttohis
death:"HolyFather,keeptheminthyname,whichthouhastgivenme,thatthey
maybeone,evenasweareone"(John17:11).Jesusconceivedoftheunityof
ChristianwithChristianasthesameashisunitywithGod.Inthesamepassagehe
goeson:"Idonotprayfortheseonly,butalsoforthosewhobelieveinmethrough
theirword,thattheymayallbeoneevenasthou,Father,artinme,andIinthee,
thattheyalsomaybeinus,sothattheworldmaybelievethatthouhastsentme.
TheglorywhichthouhastgivenmeIhavegiventothem,thattheymaybeoneeven
asweareone"(John17:2022).Jesusissayingwithsimplicityandaclaritynone
canmistakethattheendoftheChristianlifeisthatChristiansshouldbeoneashe
andhisFatherareone.
WhatistheunitywhichshouldexistbetweenChristianandChristian?Itssecretis
love."AnewcommandmentIgivetoyou,ThatyouloveoneanotherevenasIhave
lovedyou,thatyoualsoloveoneanother"(John13:34).Christiansareonebecause
theyloveoneanotherevenso,JesusisonewithGodbecauseofhisloveofGod.
Butwecangofurther.Whatistheonlytestoflove?Letusgoagaintothewordsof
Jesus."Ifyoukeepmycommandments,youwillabideinmylovejustasIhave
keptmyFather'scommandmentsandabideinhislove"(John15:10)."Ifaman
lovesme,hewillkeepmyword"(John14:2324)."Ifyouloveme,youwillkeepmy
commandments"(John14:15)."Hewhohasmycommandmentsandkeepsthem,he
itiswholovesme"(John14:21).
Hereistheessenceofthematter.Thebondofunityislovetheproofofloveis
obedience.Christiansareonewitheachotherwhentheyareboundbylove,and
obeythewordsofChrist.JesusisonewithGod,becauseasnoothereverdid,he
obeyedandlovedhim.HisunitywithGodisaunityofperfectlove,issuinginperfect

obedience.
WhenJesussaid:"IandtheFatherareone,"hewasnotmovingintheworldof
philosophyandmetaphysicsandabstractionshewasmovingintheworldof
personalrelationships.Noonecanreallyunderstandwhataphraselike"aunityof
essence"meansbutanyonecanunderstandwhataunityofheartmeans.Jesus'
unitywithGodcamefromthetwinfactsofperfectloveandperfectobedience.He
wasonewithGodbecausehelovedandobeyedhimperfectlyandhecametothis
worldtomakeuswhatheis.
INVITINGTHEACIDTEST(John10:3139)
10:3139TheJewsagainliftedupstonestostonehim.Jesus
saidtothem:"Ihaveshowedyoumanylovelydeeds,which
camefrommyFather.Forwhichofthesedeedsareyoutrying
tostoneme?"TheJewsansweredhim:"Itisnotforanylovely
deedthatweproposetostoneyouitisforinsultingGod,and
becauseyou,beingaman,makeyourselfGod.""Doesitnot
standwritteninyourlaw,"Jesusansweredthem,"'Isaidyou
aregods'?Ifhecalledthosetowhomthewordcamegodsand
thescripturecannotbedestroyedareyougoingtosayabout
me,whomtheFatherconsecratedanddespatchedintothe
world:'YouinsultGod,'becauseIsaid:'IamtheSonofGod'?If
IdonotdotheworksofmyFather,donotbelieveme.ButifI
do,evenifyoudonotbelieveme,believetheworks,thatyou
mayknowandrecognizethattheFatherisinme,andIamin
theFather."Theyagaintriedtolayviolenthandsonhim,buthe
evadedtheirgrasp.
TotheJewsJesus'statementthatheandtheFatherwereonewasblasphemy.It
wastheinvasionbyamanoftheplacewhichbelongedtoGodalone.TheJewish
lawlaiddownthepenaltyofstoningforblasphemy."Hewhoblasphemesthename
oftheLordshallbeputtodeathallthecongregationshallstonehim"(Leviticus
24:16).SotheymadetheirpreparationstostoneJesus.TheGreekreallymeansthat
theywentandfetchedstonestoflingathim.Jesusmettheirhostilitywiththree
arguments.
(i)Hetoldthemthathehadspentallhisdaysdoinglovelythings,healingthesick
feedingthehungry,andcomfortingthesorrowing,deedssofullofhelpandpower
andbeautythattheyobviouslycamefromGod.Forwhichofthesedeedsdidthey
wishtostonehim?Theiranswerwasthatitwasnotforanythinghehaddonethat
theywishedtostonehim,butfortheclaimhewasmaking.
(ii)ThisclaimwasthathewastheSonofGod.TomeettheirattackJesususedtwo
arguments.ThefirstisapurelyJewishargumentwhichisdifficultforusto
understand.HequotedPsalms82:6.Thatpsalmisawarningtounjustjudgesto
ceasefromunjustwaysanddefendthepoorandtheinnocent.Theappeal
concludes:"Isay,'Youaregods,sonsoftheMostHigh,allofyou.'"Thejudgeis
commissionedbyGodtobegodtomen.Thisideacomesoutveryclearlyincertain
oftheregulationsinExodus.Exodus21:16tellshowtheHebrewservantmaygo
freeintheseventhyear.AstheKingJamesVersionhasit,Exodus21:6says"Then
hismastershallbringhimuntothejudges."ButintheHebrew,thewordwhichis
translatedjudgesisactually'Elohiym(Hebrew#430),whichmeansgods.Thesame
formofexpressionisusedinExodus22:9Exodus22:28.Evenscripturesaidof
menwhowerespeciallycommissionedtosometaskbyGodthattheyweregods.
SoJesussaid:"Ifscripturecanspeaklikethataboutmen,whyshouldInotspeak
soaboutmyself?"
Jesusclaimedtwothingsforhimself.(a)HewasconsecratedbyGodtoaspecial
task.Thewordfortoconsecrateishagiazein(Greek#37),theverbfromwhich
comestheadjectivehagios(Greek#40),holy.Thiswordalwayshastheideaof
renderingapersonoraplaceorathingdifferentfromotherpersonsandplacesand
things,becauseitissetasideforaspecialpurposeortask.So,forinstance,the
Sabbathisholy(Exodus20:11).Thealtarisholy(Leviticus16:19).Thepriestsare
holy(2Chronicles26:18).Theprophetisholy(Jeremiah1:5).WhenJesussaidthat
Godhadconsecratedhim,madehimholy,hemeantthathehadsethimapartfrom

othermen,becausehehadgivenhimaspecialtasktodo.TheveryfactthatJesus
usedthiswordshowshowconscioushewasofhisspecialtask.(b)Hesaidthat
Godhaddespatchedhimintotheworld.Thewordusedistheonewhichwouldbe
usedforsendingamessengeroranambassadororanarmy.Jesusdidnotsomuch
thinkofhimselfascomingintotheworld,asbeingsentintotheworldHiscoming
wasanactofGodandhecametodothetaskwhichGodhadgivenhimtodo.
SoJesussaid:"Intheolddaysitwaspossibleforscripturetospeakofjudgesas
gods,becausetheywerecommissionedbyGodtobringhistruthandjusticeintothe
world.NowIhavebeensetapartforaspecialtaskIhavebeendespatchedintothe
worldbyGodhowcanyouthenobjectifIcallmyselftheSonofGod?Iamonly
doingwhatscripturedoes."Thisisoneofthosebiblicalargumentstheforceofwhich
itisdifficultforustofeelbutwhichtoaJewishRabbiwouldhavebeenentirely
convincing.
(iii)Jesuswentontoinvitetheacidtest."Idonotaskyou,hesaidineffect,"to
acceptmywords.ButIdoaskyoutoacceptmydeeds."Awordissomethingabout
whichamancanarguebutadeedissomethingbeyondargument.Jesusisthe
perfectteacherinthathedoesnotbasehisclaimsonwhathesays,butonwhathe
isanddoes.HisinvitationtotheJewswastobasetheirverdictonhim,notonwhat
hesaid,butonwhathedidandthatisatestwhichallhisfollowersoughttobeable
andwillingtomeet.Thetragedyisthatsofewcanmeetit,stilllessinviteit.
PEACEBEFORETHESTORM(John10:4041)
10:4041AndhewentawayagaintotheothersideofJordan,to
theplacewhereJohnfirstusedtobaptizeandhestayedthere.
Andmanycametohim,andtheykeptsaying:"Johndidno
signbuteverythingJohnsaidaboutthismanistrue."Andthen
manybelievedinhim.
ForJesusthetimewasrunningoutbutheknewhishour.Hewouldnotrecklessly
courtdangerandthrowhislifeawaynorwouldheincowardiceavoiddangerto
preservehislife.Buthedesiredquietnessbeforethefinalstruggle.Healwaysarmed
himselftomeetmenbyfirstmeetingGod.Thatiswhyheretiredtotheothersideof
Jordan.Hewasnotrunningaway:hewaspreparinghimselfforthefinalcontest.
TheplacetowhichJesuswentismostsignificant.HewenttotheplacewhereJohn
hadbeenaccustomedtobaptize,theplacewherehehimselfhadbeenbaptized.It
wastherethatthevoiceofGodhadcometohimandassuredhimthathehadtaken
therightdecisionandwasontherightway.Thereiseverythingtobesaidforaman
returningeverynowandthentotheplacewherehehadthesupremeexperienceof
hislife.WhenJacobwasupagainstit,whenthingshadgonewrongandbadly
wrong,hewentbacktoBethel(Genesis35:15).WhenheneededGod,hewentback
totheplacewherehehadfirstfoundhim.Jesus,beforetheend,wentbacktothe
placewherethebeginninghadhappened.Itwouldoftendooursoulsaworldofgood
tomakeapilgrimagetotheplacewherewefirstfoundGod.
EvenonthefarsideofJordantheJewscametoJesus,andtheytoothoughtof
John.Theyrememberedthathehadspokenwiththewordsofaprophetbuthad
donenomightydeeds.TheysawthattherewasadifferencebetweenJesusand
John.ToJohn'sproclamationJesusaddedGod'spower.Johncoulddiagnosethe
situationJesusbroughtthepowertodealwiththesituation.TheseJewshadlooked
onJohnasaprophetnowtheysawthatwhatJohnhadforetoldofJesuswastrue,
andmanyofthembelieved.
Itoftenhappensthatamanforwhomagreatfutureispainted,andwhosetsoutwith
thehopesofmenuponhim,disappointsthatfutureandbeliesthesehopes.But
JesuswasevengreaterthanJohnhadsaidhewouldbe.Jesusistheoneperson
whoneverdisappointsthosewhosettheirhopesuponhim.Inhimthedreamalways
comestrue.
Barclay'sDailyStudyBible(NT)
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BibliographyInformation
Barclay,William."Commentaryonjohn10"."WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudyBible".
"http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsb/print.cgi?bk=42&ch=10&vs=1".1956
1959.
20012015,StudyLight.org
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