I AM: Discovering the Nature of Jesus!
Tuesday, March 9, 2004
My Prayer Today
Dear Jesus, I praise and worship you this day. Thank you for your goodness and faithfulness to me. Help me to listen only to your voice. I also as that you would help me also to be able to discern your voice in others that I listen to. Grant me the grace to follow you in every activity and circumstance that I am now facing. I know that you are the true "Door" to God, and I want to honor you in every way. I need you this day. In Your name I pray, Amen.
God's Word Today
John 10:1-10
"I assure you, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! For a shepherd enters through the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't recognize his voice." Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what he meant, so he explained it to them. 'I assure you, I AM the gate for the sheep,' he said. 'All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness."
Reflecting on God's Word
When Jesus said in verse eight that "all others who came before me were thieves and robbers", who was he referring to?
Why does Jesus equate these people to "thieves and robbers?"
Why does Jesus use the word "all others" as opposed to just "some others?"
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
Read Jeremiah 23:1-4, Isaiah 56:10-11, and Ezekiel 34:1-10. Based upon the passages, what was God's attitude towards the "shepherds" of Israel?
According to these passages, why does God have this attitude towards the "shepherds" of Israel?
Understanding God's Purpose
If Jesus says "all others who came before me were thieves and robbers," how does Jesus contrast himself with them?
Do the "true sheep" listen to these thieves and robbers? Why or why not?
What makes Jesus worth listening to?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
Who are the people you listen to for advice in daily living?
Are these people listening to the voice of the True Shepherd?
Thoughts
The people we listen to each day for advice have a significant impact on our lives. When we call up a friend on the telephone, correspond with someone on the Internet, or listen to a pastor or teacher, they all help to form us into what we are today. We become essentially what and who we listen to. This makes it very important how we filter those who have input in our lives, and how we respond to each of the advice that they give us. For if these persons are not listening to the voice of Jesus -- the True Shepherd -- then we must always be cautious about taking wisdom from these persons. It does not mean that "non-Christians" do not have wisdom, but we must remember that when Jesus is not Lord of their lives, they are at least a fool in that area.
In John 10:8, Jesus says that "all others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them." He is saying that all the religious leaders and Pharisees of Israel were false shepherds and thieves. Their character and their identity was far from the character of God, and therefore they attempted to lead people astray. Jesus contrasts himself with them by saying that he is the "Door" and the "True Shepherd." Only the "true sheep" are those who listen to him -- and those who speak for him. In our lives today, who are the voices that we listen to? Are they listening to the voice of Jesus? If not, we need to be intentional about filtering who we listen to. Take time this day to talk with people who proclaim Jesus as Lord -- and glean from the wisdom that they have obtained by following the True Shepherd and the only Door to salvation.
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