(John 10:1-21)
Do not let the title of this blog turn you off to reading...we expect that it's slightly controversial. PLEASE continue reading!
This week at home group we really examined the question of who Jesus is based on His teaching in the first section of John chapter 10. He begins in parable form explaining His relationship with people through a shepherds relationship with his flock of sheep. Jesus then makes a bold claim (as usual) in explaining to the people that He is the shepherd and they are the sheep. If they know His voice they will follow Him and only Him.
This is such a powerful metaphor because essentially Jesus is claiming here that He is the ONLY way through which people can truly enter into salvation and eternal life. Thus once again making Himself equal with God. Anyone else that might claim to be the way or convince the sheep (people) to follow them is nothing but a liar and a thief.
But here's where the passage gets really good! In verse 10 Jesus says this,
"The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it to the fullest."
Not only does the good shepherd come and willingly lay down His life for any that are a part of His flock, He also comes that they may live lives full of blessing and hope and eventually enter into eternity, simply because they are His and He loves them.
So, when people ask, "What's in it for me," the answer should be absolutely nothing. We are sinful and wretched without Christ. BUT because of His immense love and loyalty and sacrifice, not only is there salvation in Him, there is also life to the fullest for us!
Jesus is our Good Shepherd, the one who willingly gave His life so that we could live and not die in our sins and who loves us enough to bless us far beyond what we deserve! That's who Jesus is and that's what's in it for us!
Here are some things to reflect on throughout this week...
1. Spend some time really thinking about that statement, "life to the fullest." What are some ways that you have seen this in your own life and how has life with Jesus been fuller than life without Him?
2. What does it actually mean for Jesus to be the ONLY way to salvation? Why is this such a difficult claim to make then and even now?
CHALLENGE:
This week, really spend some time thinking about what it means to hear Jesus' voice and follow it only. Do you know what His voice sounds like? Would you be able to hear it even amongst a crowd of other voices luring you in other directions? Spend some time in prayer asking that God would teach you to hear His voice clearly and to follow it wherever it might lead and for strength to trust that He will always lead you into "life to the fullest."
*Feel free to post any and all questions related to our discussion tonight in the comment area below. You can also share anything you learn while pondering the questions or engaging in the challenge. We are so excited to encourage each other and grow even more in our studying of God’s word throughout the week! This is a conversation! This is Transit Continued.
I am still just in awe of this idea that Jesus wants to give me life to the fullest...although I deserve absolutely nothing from him! Not ONLY did he give his life to save me and give me life rather than death, his sacrifice and grace is enough to bless me in this lifetime AND beyond! AHHHHH cannot get over that!
ReplyDeleteAlso loving that my shepherd is a GOOD shepherd...not just any old shepherd just getting his job done. He calls me by name...knows me and knows just how to lead me and guide me. He's not sitting at the front of the pasture texting and catching up on facebook, he's walking around talking with His sheep, checking in on them and making sure they are feeling loved and cared for...amazing...
This week I am feeling so challenged to spend some time relearning His voice. I want to know it and recognize it and LOVE it and be always listening for it. For myself, I've decided to take a break from television or shows I watch online so that I can spend some extra time just practicing listening to His voice. I am SO excited to hear from Him again and remember the sound of His voice :)
"Life to the fullest"... I think Tirza really hit the nail on the head during church when she said that this means a life that fully realizes its potential, a life that fully recognizes its purpose and drive. There is such freedom in understanding this, and obviously this sort of glorious "hyper-life" is only unlocked through Christ.
ReplyDeleteI love your comment, Rachel, about giving up TV for a bit to relearn God's voice. That's challenging! Thanks for sharing.
I love all of these words. Especially when Joshua said "freedom". I love how much freedom I am able to have when I truly discover the love of God and how much He looks out for me. As my shepherd, He straight up does everything in His power to make sure that I am safe. And when I feel safe I have the freedom to have "life to the fullest". I love that!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd Rachel, that is a great idea of shutting down the distractions to focus on learning how to hear God's voice. There are so many things that we could turn off or get out of our lives to help us learn this. Any other ideas of things that we could do to learn His voice?