1 Jesus said:
I tell you for certain that only thieves and robbers climb over the fence instead of going in through the gate to the sheep pen. 2-3 But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out.
4 When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice. 5 The sheep will not follow strangers. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice, and they run away.
6 Jesus told the people this story. But they did not understand what he was talking about.
7 Jesus said:
I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep. 8 Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. 9 I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.
10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest. 11 I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep. 12 Hired workers are not like the shepherd. They don’t own the sheep, and when they see a wolf coming, they run off and leave the sheep. Then the wolf attacks and scatters the flock. 13 Hired workers run away because they don’t care about the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me. 15 Just as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I give up my life for my sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them together too, when they hear my voice. Then there will be one flock of sheep and one shepherd.
17 The Father loves me, because I give up my life, so that I may receive it back again. 18 No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.
19 The people took sides because of what Jesus had told them. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon in him! He is crazy! Why listen to him?”
21 But others said, “How could anyone with a demon in him say these things? No one like that could give sight to a blind person!”
Read John 10:1-21 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
If Jesus was anything, He wasn’t a pushover. He didn’t seem to be interested in keeping everyone happy, but instead challenged many of their deeply held beliefs. As the sermon Jesus spoke ended, the crowd was divided. Some said Jesus was crazy and mad; others said that crazy people cannot heal people.
One group placed the traditional beliefs of that time over experience. The other group placed experience over the traditional beliefs of that time. We can look back on that time period and easily say that those who placed experience ahead of their traditional beliefs were correct, but is this the best course of action for us today?
In today’s time period, I think that both perspectives are flawed, while at the same time as both being necessary. Placing traditional beliefs ahead of experience is a flawed perspective because if these beliefs are never questioned and/or realigned, we are never able to course correct as culture shifts happen. Placing experience ahead of traditional beliefs is a flawed perspective because we lack the anchor to guide us through ever changing experiences – not to dwell on the idea that everyone’s experience is different.
Both traditional beliefs and experiences are necessary, but they don’t always blend nicely. In places where they don’t blend, more prayer and study is necessary. In some cases, the belief is more valid, and it gives us a better frame of mind to see the experience through. In other cases, we realize that there is a different, less traditional way to look at the belief that fits more closely within the context of our experience.
Jesus came and challenged the traditional beliefs because He knew there was a different, better way to live and believe. The miracles He displayed were signs from God that backed up His claims. Miracles were the main reason the one side of the crowd believed, but the miracles were only the very first step of where Jesus wants to lead people to.
Jesus’ miracles were given so people present would take notice and give glory to God. Jesus wants to lead people into a clearer understanding of God’s love and His desire for a relationship with them – and a relationship with each one of us too! His miracles were the first step, but a life saving relationship is the goal.
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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