The Gospel of John: John 10.1-18

Read and meditate on John 10.7-10.
The sheepfold of the Lord is the place of safety, security, and life, and Jesus is the door.

                                  ⁷Once again
He said, “I say to you in truth, I am
the sheepfold door, ⁸and all the others who
have come are thieves and robbers. The sheep do
not hear their voice. ⁹I am the door, and he
who enters by Me will be saved, and he
will come and go and find green pasture. ¹⁰For
the thief comes but to kill and steal, no more;
but I have come so that they may have life.
I’ve come that they may have abundant life.”

- John 10.1-10

Reflect
1.  Most sheepfolds don’t have an actual door or gate, just an opening to let the sheep in and out. Typically, the shepherd himself sits in the doorway, and is thus the “door of the sheep” (v. 8). Why do you think Jesus considered this an apt metaphor for Himself?Complete this prayer: Lord, I know I’m coming in and going out through You when…

2.  In Jesus’ day – and even through all of Israel’s history – “thieves and robbers” had been prowling among the sheep, proffering false views of safety, security, and life. To whom was Jesus referring here? How were they stealing, killing, and destroying the Lord’s sheep? Do such “thieves and robbers” exist still today? Explain. Lord, I can recognize “thieves and robbers” by…

3.  What do sheep do in green pastures? What are the green pastures of the Lord’s sheep? Why must we go through Jesus to get there? Feed me, Lord, in the green pastures of Your Word, and I will…

4.  What did Jesus mean by “life” and “have it more abundantly”? How would you describe the life Jesus offers us to an unbelieving friend? Let me know more of Your abundant life, Lord, and I will…

5.  Jesus said those who are saved will “go in and out” through Him. To what does this refer? What does this going in and out through Jesus look like in your life? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.

Summary
“He is the Way, because he leads us through himself. He is the Door who lets us in, the Shepherd who makes us dwell in green pastures, bringing us up by waters of rest and leading us there. He protects us from wild beasts, converts the erring, brings back what was lost and binds up what was broken. He guards the strong and brings them together into the fold beyond with words of pastoral knowledge.” Gregory of Nazianzus (fl. 372-389 AD)

The door of your home provides protection for you and your family. It is also your portal to the outside world, and the way for welcoming guests. Jesus is the Door of the sheepfold. Everything in our lives hinges on Him. How do you experience that?

Closing Prayer
Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
For You have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
I will walk before the Lord
In the land of the living.
I believed, therefore I spoke,
“I am greatly afflicted.”
I said in my haste,
“All men are liars.”
What shall I render to the LORD
For all His benefits toward me?
I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD
Now in the presence of all His people.

Psalm 116.7-14

Psalm 116.7-14 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God Who Reigns Above)
Full well the Lord has dealt with me; my soul from death He delivered.
My weeping eyes, my stumbling feet, He has redeemed forever.
Forever I before His face shall walk with those who know His grace,
And dwell with them forever.

Afflicted, I believe His Word, though lying men would undo me.
What shall I render to the Lord for all His blessings to me?
Salvation’s cup I lift above and call upon the God of love
And pay my vows most truly.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.