João 10
F.B. Meyer · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 10
Meyer says each sheep "has some special name, often suggested by a deformity or a peculiarity in its appearance. And as he mentions it, the bearer, proud to be noticed, comes from among the eager, pressing crowd, and passes out from the fold to where the shepherd awaits it, beyond its containing wails." Meyer's comment on "special name" for deformed sheep (that's all of us beloved!!! Crippled by the fall! Raised by the Spirit to walk in newness of life! Ro 6:4+) reminds me of the great promise in Revelation 22:4+ that we "will see His (OUR SHEPHERD'S) face, and His name will be on (OUR) foreheads!" As His sheep, who are also overcomers, Jesus promises "I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new (kainos - brand new) name." (Rev 3:12+) Hallelujah! Here is a video of a sheep actually being called by his name "Madison." Watch his response! THOUGHT- Praise God, Jesus knows our names beloved! The question is this -- Do we come when He calls? Or has unconfessed sin made us hard of hearing? Lord God, take the wax of sin out of our ears, that we might ever be attentive to the Shepherd's call to follow Him wherever He goes. In His Name and for Your glory. Amen. Warren
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Meyer - "THE FOUR-FOLD CLUSTER" John 10:3-4. THE FIGURE is borrowed from a fold in some mountain valley, where the flock has rested through the hours of darkness, protected from robbers by the deputy-shepherd (the porter), and from wolves by the barriers of the enclosure. At last the morning arrives, and with it the shepherd. He comes to the portal. The porter knows his step, and voice, and knock; and opens to him without a moment's hesitation. The very sheep, more docile and sagacious than those of our northern climes, give evident signs that they, too, know that their own true shepherd has come, for "they hear his voice." The shepherd then proceeds to call them out by name. For each he has some special name, often suggested by a deformity or a peculiarity in its appearance. And as he mentions it, the bearer, proud to be noticed, comes from among the eager, pressing crowd, and passes out from the fold to where the shepherd awaits it, beyond its containing wails. "He calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out." Thus at last the whole flock emerge from the fold and stand there, in the wild mountain-pass; while the giant forms of the hills, hushed with unbroken silence, covered by bracken and gorse, and haunted by wild game, rise around. When the shepherd has thus put forth his own sheep, "he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers." It is said that cases of dispute about the ownership of sheep are still settled in the East by putting the flock in the midst of a large field, and by letting the rival claimants call to them from opposite sides, it being a well-known fact that a sheep will always run to that side of the field on which the true shepherd stands. In all this there is an exquisite parable of the dealings of the Saviour with us. Who is there that does not know something of the shelter and comfort of the Fold? That home, with all its calm and happy associations; that situation, held so long that its duties have become a sort of second nature; that competence, hardly earned, and large enough to promise years of ease, these are instances of sheltering folds in which we rest. But we may not rest in them for ever. The grass about a fold is eaten down, and worn with incessant treading; and it is therefore very different to that which, bathed in dew, carpets the mountain sides. And so the true Shepherd comes at length, to bring us out of the fold to where the fresh, bright, mountain breezes breathe freely, and life is luxury in the exhilarating air. It is a matter of daily experience. Changes are permitted to pass and repass over our lives, which break up our homes, scatter our nests, shatter our schemes, and drive us forth to the untried and novel experiences which we dread. But in all these changes there is always the personal presence and superintendence of the Good Shepherd, who neither slumbers nor sleeps. (Ps 121:3-4+) "He calleth His own sheep by name." It is a searching enquiry for us each "Am I one of His own sheep?" For if that is settled in the positive, it involves an untold wealth and weight of blessing. Given to Him, in the eternal ages, by the Father; rescued from the wolf at the cost of the Shepherd's life; endowed with eternal life, so that they can never perish; safe within the hollow of the guarding hand of Jesus, from which neither man, nor devil, can pluck them forth; known intimately and familiarly by Him who loves unutterably; led in to rest, as well as out to work--no mortal tongue can tell or human mind imagine all that Jesus is or does for those whom He designates as His own sheep. But this is clear and unmistakable, that the Good Shepherd has an intimate and individual knowledge of us each. He knows us by our name. In the wilderness wanderings, the Almighty God uttered words to Moses, which have ever seemed to me to involve a weight of meaning greater far than appears upon their surface. "And the Lord said to Moses, I will do this thing also that thou has spoken: for thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name." (Ex 33:12+) There is a depth of significance in these words which cannot be expressed, and can only be realized by the glad soul to whom they are spoken. What intimacy! what familiarity! what dignity and glory! None but a friend could call his friend by name! And what must it not be, to be the friend of Deity itself! Yet all this is sure for any one of us, whom Jesus knows and calls by name. The prophet compares the starry hosts to a flock of sheep, scattered through the fields of space. "Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names, by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth." But surely one, for whom Christ died, is worth more to Him than all the hosts of heaven! And if the stars are so safe, because He is responsible to maintain and guide them, shall not we too be equally safe, whom He calleth by name? Would He have entered into such an intimate relationship with us, if that were not to issue in an eternal union? There is one sure sign of the true sheep: "they know His voice." They can distinguish its sweet tones among all other sounds; and to hear is to obey. "He leadeth them out." In heaven He is said to feed the redeemed as a flock, and to lead them to living fountains of water; i.e., from one fountain to another, deeper and deeper into the heart of Heaven. But this gracious ministry is equally His work on earth. He is always leading us out from the old into the new; out from the familiar to the untried; out from the attained to the unattained; out from experiences and confessions, which have become familiar, to the glorious possibilities of Christian living. These leadings come in many delicate and tender ways--by circumstances, by friendships, by books, by passages of Scripture; but when they come, it will well repay us to obey and follow. There is no experience in the Blessed Life into which Jesus will not lead us, if only we are faithful to the slightest intimation of His will. He putteth forth His own sheep." Ah, this is bitter work for Him and us--bitter for us to go; but equally bitter for Him to cause us pain. Yet it must be done. It would not be conducive to our true welfare to stay always in one happy and comfortable lot. He therefore puts us forth. The nest is broken up, that the young fledglings may be compelled to try their wings and learn to fly. The fold is deserted, that the sheep may wander over the bracing mountain slopes. The labourers must be thrust out into the harvest; else the golden grain would spoil. Take heart!--it could not be better to stay, when He determines it otherwise. And if the loving hand of our Lord puts us forth, it must be well. On, in His name, to green pastures, and still waters, and mountain heights! He goeth before them." Whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him--each difficulty and complication; each wild beast or wilder robber; each yawning chasm or precipitous path. Faith's eye can always discern His majestic presence in front; and when that cannot be seen, it is dangerous to move forward. Bind this comfort to your heart: that the Saviour has tried for Himself all the experiences through which He asks you to pass; and He would not ask you to pass through them unless He was sure that they were not too difficult for your feet, or too trying for your strength. The Breaker always goes up before us. The Woodsman hews a path for us through the trackless forest. The broad-shouldered Brother pushes a way for us through the crowd. And we have only to follow. This is the Blessed Life not anxious to see far in front; not careful about the next step; not eager to choose the path; not weighted with the heavy responsibilities of the future: but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time. On a First-Name Basis He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. —John 10:3 Today's Scripture: John 10:1-16 Whenever I visit the Korean Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, I notice that the people seldom refer to one another by their first name. They speak formally of each other and to each other—Mr. Kim, Mr. Pyen, Mrs. Hugh. One day I asked Mr. Pyen about this custom. He replied, “Only when we know people intimately do we use their first name.” Perhaps that’s why I responded negatively when the head of a religious organization wrote me asking for my financial support. He began, “Dear Dennis,” and signed his letter, “Bob.” It was an impersonal form letter dressed in the garb of familiarity. Jesus calls us by name because He knows us so well. That’s the picture we get in John 10. When an oriental shepherd was with the same flock for many years, he developed a close relationship with each animal. He would give them descriptive names like “Brown-leg” or “Black-ear.” And when he called them, they responded to his voice. My Shepherd is the Lord who knows my needs, And I am blest; By quiet streams, in pastures green, He leads And makes me rest. —Psalter You’re not just a number computers can trace; Christ knows your need, your name, and your face. God's Favorites He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. — John 10:3 Today's Scripture: John 10:1-18 After my first daughter was born, I loved her so much that it almost hurt. I foolishly feared I might not be able to love our next child as much, or that I might have to divide my love between them to be fair. But when our second daughter arrived, I joyfully discovered that I loved her as intensely as I loved our first child, yet uniquely. That discovery reminded me that our great God is capable of loving each of His children totally without taking any love away from His other children, for He loves each one uniquely. Therefore, every believer who asks for God’s help will receive it as completely as if there were no others needing His attention. In Jesus’ life and teaching, we find ample evidence of this. In John 10, He declared that He is “the good shepherd” who calls, cares for, and knows His own sheep by name and is known by them (vv.3,11,14). Jesus then likened this relationship between shepherd and sheep to the relationship He enjoys with His Father (v.15). How special we are to Him! I've found a Friend, O such a Friend! He loved me ere I knew Him; He drew me with the cords of love, And thus He bound me to Him. —Small To renew your love for Christ, review His love for you. Called by Name He calls his own sheep by name. John 10:3 Today's Scripture & Insight: John 10:1–11 When I first meet a new group of students in the college composition class I teach, I already know their names. I take the time to familiarize myself with their names and photos on my student roster, so when they walk into my classroom I can say, “Hello, Jessica,” or “Welcome, Trevor.” I do this because I know how meaningful it is when someone knows and calls us by name. Yet to truly know someone, we need to know more than that person’s name. In John 10, we can sense the warmth and care Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has for us when we read that He “calls his own sheep by name” (v. 3). He knows even more than our name. He knows our thoughts, longings, fears, wrongs, and deepest needs. Because He knows our deepest needs, He has given us our very life—our eternal life—at the cost of His own. As He says in verse 11, He “lays down his life for the sheep.” You see, our sin separated us from God. So Jesus, the Good Shepherd, became the Lamb and sacrificed Himself, taking our sin on Himself. When He gave His life for us and then was resurrected, He redeemed us. As a result, when we accept His gift of salvation through faith, we are no longer separated from God. Give thanks to Jesus! He knows your name and your needs! By: Dave Branon Dear Lord, thank You for knowing my name and for knowing exactly what I need. Thank You for dying for my sin and for rising from the grave to defeat death and give me eternal life with You. God’s knowledge of us knows no bounds. He Calls Us By Name He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. — John 10:3 Today's Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7 Hearing our name spoken makes an impression on us one way or another. Whenever my mother asked in an authoritative voice, “Haddon William Robinson, what are you doing?” I knew she wasn’t seeking information. But hearing “Haddon William Robinson” read in stately tones as I strode across the platform at graduation had a very different feel. Names convey a sense of who we are and how others relate to us. Before the Messiah came into the world, He declared, “The Lord has called Me from the womb; . . . He has made mention of My name” (Isa. 49:1). That demonstrated the special relationship the Messiah had to God the Father. What is even more exciting is that this relationship extends through Jesus to us. Because of Christ, we who trust in His completed work on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins have been adopted into the family of God (Rom. 8:15; Eph. 1:5). When we trust Christ as our Savior and Lord, He calls us by name (Jn. 10:3). What a privilege! And what a comfort to those of us who place our faith in Christ! God loves us more than we can imagine. He has sworn never to let us go (Jn. 10:27-30). Do you hear Him calling you? By: Haddon W. Robinson When I heard the Savior call my name, I was sinking deep in sin and shame; Now my life will never be the same, Since I heard the Savior call my name. —Hess You're not just a number computers can trace; Christ knows your need, your name, and your face. More Than Good Advice He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. — John 10:3 Today's Scripture: John 10:1-15 A few years ago, I was invited to speak on the subject of guidance. In my preparation, I opened my concordance to look up the word guidance, expecting to find a long list of verses promising guidance from God. To my surprise, guidance wasn’t there. Instead, I found the word guide and a number of verses promising that God Himself would be the guide of His people. This discovery added fresh insight to my Christian pilgrimage. I was reminded that people who are blind need guide dogs, not guidance dogs! Even if dogs were capable of talking, how unsatisfactory it would be if they were mere bystanders, shouting warnings to the blind from a distance: “Careful now! You’re approaching a hole. Watch out for the curb!” No, these mute but faithful creatures escort their sightless companions every step of the way, being their eyes and steering them safely along precarious pathways. Some people want God to be like a glorified advice bureau. But when our sight is dim and our way is dark, as it often is, we need more than good advice—we need the Good Shepherd to lead us (John 10:3,11). As we follow Christ each day, we’ll have all the guidance we’ll ever need. By: Joanie Yoder Though guidance is our need each day We need not search to find our way; We only need a faithful Guide And strive to stay close by His side. —D. De Haan Looking for guidance? Follow Christ, your Guide. Marvin Rosenthal, writing in Israel, My Glory (in his article "Elohim"), tells about a mother who was asked by a census taker how many children she had. She responded, "Well, there's Billy and Harry and Martha and—" "Never mind the names," the man interrupted. `Just give me the number!" The mother, becoming indignant, replied, "They haven't got numbers, they've all got names." . That's the way it is in our relationship with the Lord. Paul, writing to Timothy, gave the assuring word that "the Lord knows those who are His" (2Ti 2:19). And Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep" (John 10:14). We're not just numbers to Him. He calls us by name! —R. W. D. GOD KNOWS EACH WINDING PATH I TAKE, AND EVERY SORROW, PAIN, AND ACHE. John 10:4 "When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. BGT John 10:4 ὅταν τὰ ἴδια πάντα ἐκβάλῃ, ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν πορεύεται καὶ τὰ πρόβατα αὐτῷ ἀκολουθεῖ, ὅτι οἴδασιν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ· KJV John 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. NET John 10:4 When he has brought all his own sheep out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. CSB John 10:4 When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. ESV John 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. NIV John 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. NLT John 10:4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. he goes ahead: John 12:26 13:15 14:2,3 De 1:30 Mic 2:12,13 Mt 16:24 1Co 11:1 Eph 5:1 Php 2:5-11 Heb 6:20 12:2 1Pe 2:21 4:1 5:3 because they know his voice: John 10:8,16 3:29 18:37 Song 2:8 5:2 John 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries "I shall not want" SHEEP ONLY FOLLOW THEIR SHEPHERD When he puts forth (ekballo) all his own (idios), he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow (akoloutheo) him because they know (eido) his voice (phone) - Puts forth is the verb ekballo, which is somewhat ironic. Why do I say that? Recall Jesus is almost certainly addressing the Pharisees from John 9, and it was the Pharisees that had "put...out" (ekballo) the healed blind man from the synagogue (Jn 9:34-35+)! Here the shepherd puts them forth (ekballo) or pushes them out of the sheep fold. A T
João 10
Meyer - John 10:41 John did no miracle; but all things that John spake of this Man were true. This is full of rare interest and beauty. John the Baptist had been dead some two years at least, and the memory of good men is apt quickly to pass from the mind of their contemporaries, especially when they are eclipsed by some greater successor. Who thinks of the morning star when the sun has risen! But as the crowds came back again on the spot so closely identified with Christ’s forerunner, he was recalled to mind; and they used of him the words ascribed to them in our text. Your life may be without miracle. — It may pass on with nothing to distinguish it above the lives of myriads around. There is no sensation-making note in your voice; no extraordinary intellectual calibre in your mind; no aptitude for wielding vast influence over the crowds. The years pass on with even monotony. Life is one dead level. But mind you speak true words of Jesus Christ. — Point to Him and say, Behold the Lamb of God! Say of Him, This is He that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. Announce Him as the Bridegroom, and be content to be the Bridegroom’s friend. Say that He has his winnowing-fan and axe in hand. Be careless what men think of your accent, your gestures, your way of stating the truth; but go on bearing witness to what you have known, tasted, and handled of the Word of Life. After your death, your words may come to mind again, and be the means of bringing souls to the Lamb of God. — As corn-seeds, buried in mummy-cases, now bloom on English soil, so may words be carried in the memory through long years, and bear fruit after the speakers death. What an epitaph for the grave of a Christian minister or teacher! James Butler - COMMENDATION John 10:41 “Many resorted unto Him and said, John did no miracle but all things that John spoke of this man were true” (John 10:41). The comments and conduct of those that came to Christ at the time of our text were a high commendation of the ministry of John the Baptist. FIRST—THE FEATLESSNESS OF JOHN’S MINISTRY “John did no miracle.” This is not a criticism of John the Baptist. It is a statement that describes with accuracy the work of John the Baptist. While His ministry was something special, it did not include the sensational miracle business. We, today, must have miracles or we reject the minister. He must perform the sensational or we do not want him. However, most of us are in the ordinary. We do not work miracles. But that is not a deficiency. You can accomplish much and have a sterling performance in life without ever coming close to a miracle. In order to be a saint in the RCC you must have performed some miracle. They do not realize that many great saints of God never performed miracle one. It is not necessary to perform a miracle in order to have a life of success in God’s sight. John the Baptist certainly had a great ministry, yet it did not include any great feats of miracles. SECOND—THE FIDELITY OF JOHN’S MINISTRY “All things that John spoke of this man were true.” This says much about the fidelity of John’s ministry. You do not have to work miracles to have an honest and faithful ministry. But you must have a truthful message. It is not always easy to speak the truth about Jesus. Many are the preachers who preach what the people want to hear, not what is the truth. John’s popularity with Herod disappeared because John dared to speak the truth about morality and Herod’s adulteress marriage. Speaking the truth is more important than miracles. Speaking the truth says you are faithful. Anyone can have a spectacular day and do great feats but it takes character to speak the truth about Jesus. Many of the famous healers, who claim healing miracles, are men who do not speak the truth about Jesus or much of anything else. Speaking the truth is a high commendation. Lack of miracles is not a criticism. THIRD—THE FRUITFULNESS OF JOHN’S MINISTRY “Many resorted unto Him.” John prepared the way for Christ. He did not work miracles but he spoke the truth about Jesus. This eventually resulted in many coming to Christ, as our text reports. The next verse said that many believed on Him. Many times speaking the truth does not cause a church to have record breaking attendance overnight. But later it will result in people coming to Christ. So the emphasis of your ministry does not need to be in doing the spectacular and sensational in a short period of time but to have a truthful message about Christ. Such a ministry will not be well received today, for our day and many of our churches want miracles and are not interested in the message. But speaking the truth about Jesus is the important thing in your ministry. J J Knap - Loins Girded - John Did No Miracle John 10:41 Does the verse that precedes our text not contain a world of thoughts, when we read that Jesus went across the River Jordan to the place where John had baptized during his life, to stay there for a while? He wanted to wander through the well-known region where the footsteps of the Baptist remained, with whom He had been so close, to concentrate on the memory of him who had prepared His way, but who had fallen already by the sword of the executioner. The region was still full of John, just like our house can be full of one of us who has been taken away from our side; it touches us deeply to see here that Jesus’ love reaches beyond the grave. How much everything reminded of the Baptist can be learned from the multitude that followed Jesus, when it is remarked: “John did no miracle: but all things that John spoke of this man, that is spoken of Jesus, were true.” It is a lovely confession that addresses us. It is an enviable judgment that the voice of the people pronounced upon one of the Lord’s servants! John did no miracles. He did not cleanse lepers, did not cure any sick and did not revive any dead. He completed his calling in all simplicity. Nothing in his life was surprising, exceptional, nothing that would blind the eyes… but after his death it was admitted: Everything that John had told of Jesus was true! Most of us, much like John, are very common people, in whose lives there is nothing miraculous that attracts the attention of the large multitudes. We do not excel by special gifts or shattering talents, that might make the world speak of us. Nothing special. Nothing exceptional. Nothing shocking that might bring our name upon everyone’s lips. Only forgotten citizens, who fulfil their everyday obligations and who go out every morning to their monotonous daily tasks. We may sometimes think that our lives pass without leaving a single trace, and sometimes envy enters our soul, when we hear of men and women who glitter like first class stars on the firmament of the world. It should not be so. A life without sign, that continues in all simplicity, may be of greater blessing than a life full of miracles, of talent, or of genius, that makes a perplexing impression on the multitude. As long as it is a life that knows the communion with the Lord our God! As long as it is a life that gives a clear testimony of the love of Christ! As long as our mouth overflows with the praise of our Saviour! What reason of holy thankfulness shall it be if our child, our brother or sister shall testify, long after our death, from personal experience of heart: “He did no miracle, but all things that he said of Jesus were true!” Streams in the Desert - “John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.” (John 10:41.) YOU may be very discontented with yourself. You are no genius, have no brilliant gifts, and are inconspicuous for any special faculty. Mediocrity is the law of your existence. Your days are remarkable for nothing but sameness and insipidity. Yet you may live a great life. John did no miracle, but Jesus said that among those born of women there had not appeared a greater than he. John’s main business was to bear witness to the Light, and this may be yours and mine. John was content to be only a voice, if men would think of Christ. Be willing to be only a voice, heard but not seen; a mirror whose surface is lost to view, because it reflects the dazzling glory of the sun; a breeze that springs up just before daylight, and says, “The dawn! the dawn!” and then dies away. Do the commonest and smallest things as beneath His eye. If you must live with uncongenial people, set to their conquest by love. If you have made a great mistake in your life, do not let it becloud all of it; but, locking the secret in your breast, compel it to yield strength and sweetness. We are doing more good than we know, sowing seeds, starting streamlets, giving men true thoughts of Christ, to which they will refer one day as the first things that started them thinking of Him; and, of my part, I shall be satisfied if no great mausoleum is raised over my grave, but that simple souls shall gather there when I am gone, and say, “He was a good man; he wrought no miracles, but he spake words about Christ, which led me to know Him for myself.”—George Matheson. “THY HIDDEN ONES” (Psa. 83:3.) “Thick green leaves from the soft brown earth, Happy springtime hath called them, forth; First faint promise of summer bloom Breathes from the fragrant, sweet perfume, Under the leaves. “Lift them! what marvelous beauty lies Hidden beneath, from our thoughtless eyes! Mayflowers, rosy or purest white, Lift their cups to the sudden light, Under the leaves. “Are there no lives whose holy deeds— Seen by no eye save His who reads Motive and action—in silence grow Into rare beauty, and bud and blow Under the leaves? “Fair white flowers of faith and trust, Springing from spirits bruised and crushed; Blossoms of love, rose-tinted and bright, Touched and painted with Heaven’s own light Under the leaves. “Full fresh clusters of duty borne, Fairest of all in that shadow grown; Wondrous the fragrance that sweet and rare Comes from the flower-cups hidden there Under the leaves. “Though unseen by our vision dim, Bud and blossom are known to Him; Wait we content for His heavenly ray— Wait till our Master Himself one day Lifteth the leaves.” “God calls many of His most valued workers from the unknown multitude.” (Luke 14:23.) John 10:42 Many believed in Him there. BGT John 10:42 καὶ πολλοὶ ἐπίστευσαν εἰς αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ. KJV John 10:42 And many believed on him there. NET John 10:42 And many believed in Jesus there. CSB John 10:42 And many believed in Him there. ESV John 10:42 And many believed in him there. NIV John 10:42 And in that place many believed in Jesus. NLT John 10:42 And many who were there believed in Jesus. NRS John 10:42 And many believed in him there. NJB John 10:42 and many of them believed in him. NAB John 10:42 And many there began to believe in him. YLT John 10:42 and many did believe in him there. MIT John 10:42 As a result, many believed in him there. John 2:23 4:39,41 8:30 11:45 12:42 John 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MANY BELIEVED! Many believed (pisteuo) in Him there - Rejected by the Jewish leaders, He is now received by many Jews. This is a wonderful way to end this chapter. We can only hope that this "many" was not like the "many" in John 8:30-31+ whose belief was merely a profession of belief and not a possession of (personal relationship with) the One believed. THOUGHT - I share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with many individuals and am surprised at how many affirm "I believe in Jesus," but on further discussion they manifest no indicators of the validate that they are truly in a personal relationship with Him. For example, they often express little or no desire to "hear His voice" in His Word, which raises a serious question about whether they are truly His disciples (based on Jesus' Own criterion in John 8:31-32+)! Remember, if one has truly been born again, and "is in Christ, he/she is a new (kainos - brand new, never existed before) creature; the old things passed away; behold, new (kainos) things have come." (2Co 5:17+). If there has never been a point in your life where "the old things passed away" and "new things have come," then you would be wise to take Paul's test in 2Co 13:5+! Your eternal destiny is at stake! Warren Wiersbe closes out this great chapter in Jesus' life with several questions: Have you responded personally to our Lord's three great declarations recorded in this chapter? He is the Door. Have you "entered in" by faith so that you are saved? He is the Good Shepherd. Have you heard His voice and trusted Him? After all, He laid down His life for you! He is the Son of God. Do you believe that? Have you given yourself to Him and received eternal life? Remember His stern warning: "If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24+). QUESTION - What are some of the signs of genuine saving faith? ANSWER - This is one of the most important questions in the Christian life. Many believers doubt their salvation because they don’t see signs of genuine faith in their lives. There are those who say we should never doubt our decision to follow Christ, but the Bible encourages us to examine ourselves to see if we are truly “in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5+). Thankfully, God has given us ample instruction for how we can know for sure that we have eternal life. The first epistle of John was actually written for that purpose, as it states in 1 John 5:13+, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." There is a series of tests in 1 John that we can use to examine ourselves and our faith. As we look at them, remember that no one will perfectly fulfill all of them all the time, but they should reveal a consistent trend that characterizes our lives as we grow in grace. 1. Do you enjoy having fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people? (1 John 1:3+) 2. Would people say you walk in the light, or walk in the darkness? (1 John 1:6-7+) 3. Do you admit and confess your sin? (1 John 1:8+) 4. Are you obedient to God’s Word? (1 John 2:3-5+) 5. Does your life indicate you love God rather than the world? (1 John 2:15+) 6. Is your life characterized by "doing what is right"? (1 John 2:29+) 7. Do you seek to maintain a pure life? (1 John 3:3+) 8. Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life? (1 John 3:5-6+) [Note: this refers to not continuing in sin as a way of life, not a total absence of sin.] 9. Do you demonstrate love for other Christians? (1 John 3:14+) 10. Do you "walk the walk," versus just "talking the talk"? (1 John 3:18-19+) 11. Do you maintain a clear conscience? (1 John 3:21+) 12. Do you experience victory in your Christian walk? (1 John 5:4+) If you are able to truthfully answer "Yes" to these questions (or a majority of them, and are working on the others), then your life is bearing the fruit of true salvation. Jesus said that it is by our fruits that we are known as His disciples (Matthew 7:20+). Fruitless branches—professing believers who do not display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23+) are cut off and thrown into the fire (John 15:6). A genuine faith is one that not only believes in God (the demons themselves do that - James 2:19+), but leads to open confession of sin and obedience to Christ’s commands. Remember, we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9+), but our works should display the reality of our salvation (James 2:17-18+). Genuine saving faith will always produce works; a faith that is perpetually without works is no faith at all and saves no one. In addition to these confirmations, we need to remember God’s promises and the reality of the war we are in. Satan is just as real as Jesus Christ, and he is a formidable enemy of our souls. When we turn to Christ, Satan will look for every opportunity to deceive and defeat us. He will try to convince us that we are unworthy failures or that God has given up on us. When we are in Christ, we have the assurance that we are kept by Him. Jesus Himself prayed for us in John 17:11 that the Father would "protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one." Again in verse 15, He prayed, "keep them from the evil one." In John 10:27-29+, Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand." If you hear and obey the voice of Jesus, then you are one of His sheep, and He will never let you go. Jesus gave a wonderful word picture here of Christians securely held within His loving hands and the Father’s almighty hands wrapping themselves around His, giving us a double assurance of eternal security. GotQuestions.org