Jesus was sent by his Father to the lost sheep of the house of Israel only (Matthew 15:24)Matthew 15:24XWaiting for response but he knew that later the Gentiles would have the same opportunity to follow him, therefore he said concerning them: “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” v.16.John 10:16XWaiting for response
Like the man born blind, true disciples of Christ believe the witness of the Father’s works which Jesus did, but many others did not v.25.John 10:25XWaiting for response The miracles proved that God was Jesus’ Father, who “is greater than all”, and Jesus plainly declared his Father was greater than everyone else, including himself. Jesus acted in unity with his Father so that he could say: “I and my Father are one”. This statement is often taken out of context to assert that Jesus and his Father are equal, even though this idea is diametrically opposed to Jesus’ declarations concerning his Father’s superiority.
The Pharisees misunderstood Jesus’ words and accused him of blasphemy, saying: “Thou, being a man, makest thyself God” v.33.John 10:33XWaiting for response This was a false accusation, and Jesus immediately refuted it, showing from the scriptures v.34John 10:34XWaiting for response that many people are called gods (same word as God v.33).John 10:33XWaiting for response The LORD himself called the rulers he appointed over Israel, to whom also he gave his word, “gods” v.35John 10:35XWaiting for response (Psalms 82:6).Psalms 82:6XWaiting for response How then could it be blasphemy for Jesus to say he was the Son of God? v.36.John 10:36XWaiting for response He declared he was “the Son of God” but never “God the Son”, which is a later invention of men. He did say: “the Father is in me, and I in him” v.38John 10:38XWaiting for response which enraged those who did not understand his speech, and they tried to kill him v.39John 10:39XWaiting for response but he escaped out of their hand v.40.John 10:40XWaiting for response Many came to him and believed vs.41-42,John 10:41-42XWaiting for response but since then many also have wrested such statements as “I and my Father are one” and “the Father is in me, and I in him” to make him equal with God. This is false, but we can readily understand that Jesus spoke of unity and intimacy, and this will be experienced also by the saints with Jesus and God, as Jesus prayed to his Father: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” John 17:21.John 17:21XWaiting for response
This chapter continues the conversation (from the previous chapter) between Jesus and the Pharisees relating to the man born blind in which Jesus declared himself “the shepherd of the sheep” v.2.John 10:2XWaiting for response His sheep hear his voice and follow him v.4,John 10:4XWaiting for response and clearly the blind man was in this category but his opponents were not v.26.John 10:26XWaiting for response Jesus is the good shepherd who gave his life for the sheep v.11John 10:11XWaiting for response in accordance with his Father’s will v.15John 10:15XWaiting for response who therefore loves him v.17.John 10:17XWaiting for response He gave his life that his sheep “might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” v.10.John 10:10XWaiting for response Our lifespan now is only “three score years and ten” but after the resurrection the saints will live throughout the Millennium and beyond. Jesus will give them “eternal life; and they shall never perish” v.28.John 10:28XWaiting for response