November 30, 2010
THE GOOD SHEPHERD VS. THE LION
John 10:1-21
Melissa McKee
Central Truth
The evil one prowls around like a lion and has three things on his agenda: to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus came to this world to give eternal life. Victory is the King's!
Key Verse | John 10:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
John 10:1-21
I Am the Good Shepherd
1 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and 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 does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Dive Deeper | John 10:1-21
I grew up in an amazing Christian home and accepted the Lord at a young age. I have known the Father and followed His Word for the last 26 years and have never experienced true hardship, crisis, or brokenness . . . until last month. Nothing significant has necessarily changed in my life, but my heart has been so heavy and broken towards the darkness of this world. In the last three weeks, I have seen family members commit adultery after 20 years of marriage, high school girls admit that they are anorexic or bulimic, a single mom with three kids on food stamps, friends struggling with sexual purity, and the effects of divorce on kids. I finally fell to my knees when I learned that the person who led me to the Lord at age 7 was accused of child molestation. I cried out to the Lord (it was more like screaming), “GOD! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
I spent an entire day praying, fasting, and searching out God’s Word for answers. I battled with my fleshly emotions and God’s Truth, which resulted in several takeaways. I learned that our flesh is weak, and the evil one comes only to “steal, kill, and destroy.” It is imperative that we live in community with believers who will walk through the yuck of this world with us (Hebrews 10:23-25). His Word is true (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21) and is “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). And God is bigger than my flesh (1 Chronicles 29:11-13), God is more powerful than Satan (Colossians 1:16), God is in control (Job 42:2), and God is good (1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 34:8)!
I can find rest and peace that the Good Shepherd is victorious over the evil one in the boxing ring of this world. John 10:10 says Jesus came to bring life so that we may have it abundantly. “[W]e are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Hallelujah!
Discussion Questions
1. After reading today's passage, what do you learn about His Truth and flawless character? Meditate on these things.
2. Are you constantly asking God to search your heart and reveal any sin area in your life that could "destroy" you?
3. How can you keep from falling into this trap of sin?
4. Thank God for who He is and find rest in your soul! (Jeremiah 6:16, Matthew 11:29)
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What does Jesus call Himself in verse 7?
2. The pasture is a relationship with God (see verse 9), what do you have to go through to get into the “pasture”?
3. Is there any other way to get into the pasture that is right (see John 14:6)?
4. Share with another sheep this week how to go through the gate to get into the pasture.