NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition - Flipbook - Page 45
page 1819
9:40
Rom 2:19
9:41
John 15:22
10:2
Acts 20:28
10:4
Ps 80:2
John 10:27
10:6
John 16:25
10:7
John 14:6
10:8
Jer 23:1-2
Ezek 34:2-3
10:9
Ps 118:20
John 14:6
10:10
John 5:40
Acts 20:29
2 Pet 2:1
10:11
Isa 40:11
Ezek 34:11-16, 23
Heb 13:20
1 Pet 2:25
1 Jn 3:16
Rev 7:17
J ohn 1 0
39Then Jesus told him,* “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the
blind and to show those who think they see* that they are blind.”
40Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying
we’re blind?”
41“If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” J
esus replied. “But you remain guilty
because you claim you can see.
Jesus Is the Good Shepherd (151)
“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than
going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2But the one who
enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for
him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name
and leads them out. 4After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and
they follow him because they know his voice. 5They won’t follow a stranger; they will
run from him because they don’t know his voice.”
6Those who heard J
esus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7so
he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came
before me* were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9Yes, I
am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.* They will come and go freely
and will find good pastures. 10The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My
purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12A
hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because
10
9:38-39a Some manuscripts do not include “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. Then
Jesus told him.
9:39b Greek those who see.
10:8 Some manuscripts do not include before me.
10:9 Or will
find safety.
as he recognized Jesus first as a prophet (9:17) and then as his Lord.
When we turn to Jesus, we begin to see him differently. The longer we
walk with him, the better we will understand who he is. Peter tells us to
“grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”
(2 Peter 3:18). If you want to know more about Jesus, keep trusting him
in every area of life.
9:40-41 The Pharisees were shocked that Jesus accused them of
being spiritually blind. Jesus was saying that only blindness (stubbornness and stupidity) could excuse their behavior. To those who
remained open to Jesus and recognized how sin had blinded them from
knowing the truth, he gave spiritual understanding and insight. But he
rejected those who refused to turn from their arrogant, self-satisfied,
and judgmental attitudes.
10:1 At night, sheep were often gathered into a sheepfold to protect
them from thieves, weather, and wild animals. The sheepfolds were caves,
sheds, or open areas surrounded by walls made of stones or branches.
The shepherd often slept across the doorway of the fold to protect the
sheep. Just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, Jesus, the Good Shepherd,
cares for his flock (those who follow him). The prophet Ezekiel, in predicting the coming of the Messiah, called him a shepherd (Ezekiel 34:23).
10:3-5 Jesus’ sheep recognize his voice. A person’s voice conveys more
than words; it conveys intent. Sometimes it speaks warmth, comfort,
and encouragement. Sometimes it provides a warning. Ancient Middle
Eastern shepherds were known for calling each of their sheep by name,
and each sheep would respond to its own name. When we read Jesus’
words in the Gospels, we must listen for the caring Shepherd behind
them. Jesus knows your name. Hear his call.
10:7 In the sheepfold, the shepherd functioned as a gate, letting the
sheep in and protecting them. Jesus is the gate to God’s salvation for
us. He offers access to safety and security. He protects us. Some people
resent those who believe that Jesus is the gate, the only way of access to God. But Christians did not make the requirement to believe
in Jesus a lone—he did. Because Jesus created the world, he has the
right to declare how we should come to him. Since Jesus is God’s Son,
why should we seek any other way or want to customize a different
approach to God? Jesus provides the entry point to God, and he is our
caring master. Are you following his lead? (Also see the notes on 14:6.)
10:10 In contrast to the thief who takes life, Jesus gives life. The life
he gives to us is abundantly rich and satisfying. It is eternal, although it
begins immediately when you turn to follow him. Life in Christ is more
deeply meaningful than life without him because of his overflowing
forgiveness, love, and guidance. Have you accepted Jesus’ offer of life?
10:11-12 A hired hand tends the sheep for money, while the shepherd
does it out of love. The shepherd owns the sheep and is completely
devoted to them. Jesus is not merely doing a job or performing a duty;
he loves us and has even laid down his life for us. False teachers and
false prophets do not have this commitment.
10:11, 14 Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd. This would
remind Jews of Ezekiel’s scathing rebuke through which God had castigated the evil leaders of Israel (Ezekiel 34:1-6). Immediately after this,
God had said he would take charge as the Good Shepherd (see Ezekiel
34:7-31). Jesus clearly identified himself with God by using this title.
Mediterranean
Sea
N
GALILEE
SAMARIA
Jerusalem
JUDEA
IDUMEA
Sea of
Galilee
Jordan River
9:39
Luke 4:18
•
PE
RE
A
Dead
Sea
0
0
20 mi
20 km
MINISTRY EAST
OF THE JORDAN
Jesus had been in
Jerusalem for the
Festival of Shelters
(7:2); then he
preached in various
towns, probably
in Judea, before
returning to Jerusalem for Hanukkah
(the Festival of
Dedication). He
again angered the
religious leaders,
who tried to arrest
him, but he left the
city and went to the
region east of the
Jordan to preach.
