Simply Jesus The Life and Ministry of God s Son Lesson 15 Introduction Have you ever paused to appreciate the fact that God longs for you to know Him intimately? That is the great adventure that is yours as a Christian. The Gospels are abounding with picture analogies for the purpose of revealing who Jesus Christ is and how to come into a personal relationship with Him. He is depicted as the Light of the world, the Living Water, the Bread of Life, the One and only way to God, and also as the True Shepherd. This last illustration of the shepherd is one found throughout the Old and New Testament Scriptures; one that would easily be understood by the people of Jesus day whose work force was comprised of eighty percent shepherds. It was through Jesus teaching of the shepherd that the people would come to understand that the scribes and Pharisees were false shepherds who were thieves and robbers, having no regard for the welfare of the sheep, as seen in the example of the blind man who is ousted from the synagogue. Matthew would speak of these individuals as not only refusing to enter the kingdom of heaven themselves, but also trying their best to keep everyone else out. Did you know The word door in John 10:7 and 9 is singular, meaning there is only one way one door to get to God and that is through Jesus Christ. We see similar analogies in the Old Testament, such as the Tabernacle (the place of God s presence) having only one door that led to the altar of sacrifice where the blood was shed for the remission of sins. When God commanded Noah to build an ark to carry him and his family along with the animals, the ark had only one door. Like that of the True Shepherd, once everyone was safely inside, it was the Lord who shut them in (Genesis 6:16). It was nothing short of obedience to God s direction that saved Noah and his family through the impending floodwaters. It is the words of the True Shepherd who offers safety today to all who will listen and obey: I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture (John 10:9). 1
Open your Bible and lesson each day by beginning with a word of prayer. Up Close ~ The chart below represents a reader s guide to the contents of this week s lesson. The topical teachings and/or events covered are followed by the primary scriptural text as well as the supportive parallel passages. You will be able to receive and grasp a well-rounded picture of the story narrative in the Gospel harmony by reading every passage. However, using the bolded text as your point of reference (your anchor text) will allow you to determine the facts, lessons, and personal applications necessary to formulate your own conclusions. Teaching / Event Scripture Text Parallel Passages Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind John 9:1 12 Conflict with the Pharisees John 9:13 41 Jesus the True Shepherd John 10:1 6 Jesus the Good Shepherd John 10:7 16 The Shepherd Knows His Sheep John 10:22 30 First Impressions: Group Discussion Reflect for a moment on the passages you have just read. Respond by recording your first impressions from your initial reading of the text. Be prepared to share one of your impressions with your discussion group. Heartbeat: John 10:10 NKJV (Memory verse) (Write it out once in the space below. Practice it each time you open your lesson.) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 2
Part One: John 9:1 12 Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind; Conflict with the Pharisees Is there a direct connection between suffering and sin? The answer to that often asked question is found in our story this week in John 9. The story of Jesus healing the blind man from birth is one of the seven miracles that form the centerpiece upon which he later writes (John 20:31), These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John records that Jesus was just doing what He normally did, passing by, when He saw the man blind from birth. 1. What question do His disciples ask Jesus? How does He respond? The disciples wanted to analyze and justify why this man was born blind, but Jesus simply wanted to go to work and heal him (vv. 4 5). Once again Jesus declares Himself to be the light of the world, bending down to spit on the ground and make clay to anoint the eyes of the blind man. It was completely unprecedented and quite unorthodox; but then we never read an instance of healing in the Bible where Jesus used the same method twice! Why was that? Could it be because He didn t want anyone coming up with a formula based on the presumption that it would work every time? The lesson is not so much in the healing but in the Healer; not in the method but in the Messiah for His glory! 2. Once He applied the mud to the man s eyes, what did Jesus tell him to do? v. 7 a. What did the onlookers perceive? Do you think they sought Him with good motives? b. How did the healed man respond to their questions? Such a miracle had never been performed before! The people were astounded; some wanted to know how it happened. Then they brought him to the Pharisees because it was on the Sabbath when Jesus healed him, and he had to confirm he was indeed born blind but now could see. This brought about a fierce interrogation first of the man himself, then his parents, and finally Jesus. 3. In verses 13 17, what stands out to you about the interrogation of the healed man? a. Who did the Pharisees determine Jesus to be based on this miracle? b. Under pressure from the religious leaders, who did the blind man say Jesus was? 3
4. Not satisfied with the answers they were getting, the Pharisees turn to the man s parents in verses 18 23. Were they rejoicing over their son s healing? What did they have to say? The reason the man s parents were reluctant to side with Jesus is because they would be put out of the synagogue the worst possible consequence for any offender. It would mean being total outcasts forever; there would be no work, so medical assistance, no fellowship, no acknowledgment from anyone in the community. It is a very sad picture indeed. The parents were so intimidated; they were controlled by the fear factor. Once again they turned their attention to the healed man... 5. In your own words, contrast and compare the attitude of the Pharisees with that of the healed man in verses 24 34. Briefly summarize what you see in these verses. Do you sense that the man is taking a stand for his faith? Just minutes old in his belief but he was already growing and testifying of what God had done for him that marvelous day! a. What was the ultimate judgment by the Pharisees for this man? v. 34 Amazing isn t it that a young man who had never been able to see from birth now saw things more clearly than anyone else could see? Though he was obviously blind, in his heart of hearts he was seeking God and when God came to him, he saw Him! If there was anyone that should have recognized the Messiah, it should have been those who knew the Old Testament well. But it was a blind man who experienced for himself the presence and healing power of his Creator. 6. What happened when Jesus heard they had cast the man out of the synagogue? vv. 35 41 What a picture all along, the man who before could not see was listening for the voice of the One that had touched and healed Him. He went from seeker to testifier to preacher to worshipper: Lord, I believe! Thrown out of the religious establishment but thrown into the kingdom of God! Jesus Himself said it best: Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance (Mark 2:17). Are you listening for His voice today? 4
Part Two: John 10:1 30 Jesus the True Shepherd The shepherds of Jesus day most often wore a simple one piece tunic, tied around the waist by a rope. They carried on their backs two bags one containing dried fruits to coax the younger lambs to follow the shepherd until they learned to recognize his voice; another containing rocks to hurl at approaching predators. Their only other equipment consisted of a staff used to protect the sheep and a rod used to correct them when they strayed from the fold. There were two basic types of sheepfolds one inside the city and a different type of enclosure in the wilderness. In verses 1 5 of John 10, reference is made to the city type of sheepfold that was considered a permanent fixture. It was a fenced pen with a gate attached at the front that could be locked at night with a guard at the door. 1. In speaking of a true shepherd, what would distinguish him from all the rest? vv. 1 5 a. What did the doorkeeper do when he saw the shepherd coming? b. What would the shepherd do each day? c. What makes the sheep follow him out? Will they follow a stranger? Why or why not? Jesus used this illustration (v. 6), but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. He had all the right credentials the Messianic prophesies of the Old Testament that foretold of His coming, but most refused to believe both the declaration and demonstration of His words and works revealing God s great love and mercy for all. In verses 7 14, Jesus refers to the other type of sheepfold the temporary shelter built by the shepherd in the wilderness when the sheep had to be protectively housed for the night. This type of enclosure might consist of branches, rocks and whatever dried brush was available. 2. Here Jesus references His role as the Good Shepherd by contrasting the false ones. Cross connect the following verses where Jesus repeatedly uses the words I Am. What does He say about Himself? a. v. 7 b. v. 9 c. v. 11 d. v. 14 5
3. What do you read about the false shepherds the thieves and robbers? a. v. 8 b. v. 10 Look closer ~ Just like the false shepherds spoken about here in John 10, God makes His own pronouncement upon those He considers thieves and robbers. Look up the following references and summarize what you glean below. Jeremiah 23:1 2 Ezekiel 34:1 5 4. The ultimate purpose of the thief is destruction. Zechariah 11:16 17 are a prophecy about the antichrist; what do these verses indicate about him? 5. In addition to the thief, there is another who watches after the sheep but he, too, is not reliable. Who is he and why can he not be depended upon? John 10:12 13 6. How does Jesus express the giving of His life in verses 15 18? a. What does He declare about the blending of Jews and Gentiles in the future church? 7. Using verses 25 30 as your reference, what does Jesus say about... a. His works? b. His sheep? c. His relationship to the Father? d. His promise to His sheep? 6
In the Old Testament days, if you wanted to approach God, you had to present a perfect lamb as a sacrifice to be slain on the altar. It had to be absolutely spotless, without any blemish. The priest would carefully inspect it for any imperfection to be sure it met the strict criteria. Today if you want to come close to God, He looks at the sinless perfect life and sacrifice of His Son on your behalf. And when He looks at you He sees Jesus! It s not exactly a compliment for God s people to be referred to as sheep because they are among the dumbest of animals slow to learn and quick to stray. But you, as a sheep, get to choose whom you will follow: the thief, the hireling, or the True Shepherd. Be careful which voice you listen to; only one will lead you on the path to eternal life! 7
Behold & Be Transformed What did you see as you beheld God s Son? How does beholding (looking upon) Him, motivate you to change your thoughts, habit, attitude, speech or actions? Pause... What is the most significant lesson you have learned this week? Ponder... How will you put it into practice? Pray... Write out your prayer and be specific. 2013 Janis J. Vance, All Rights Reserved. Used by permission. 8
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