Scripture to Read: John 10:6–9
Jesus’ disciples listened to Jesus, but according to John 10:6, This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. Jesus’ followers did not get the point that Jesus made to them. Jesus treated His followers with incredible kindness and grace and therefore said in John 10:7–9, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” In Jesus’ day, the sheep pens in the pastures did not have doors, but the shepherd acted as the door. The shepherd would sit in the opening and even sleep there to make sure the sheep stayed in and that the wolves stayed out. Jesus told His disciples that He was the door and that all of the religious leaders, the Pharisees of His day, were thieves (liars and deceivers) and robbers (full of violence and destruction). The Pharisees were tools in the hands of Satan and the spiritual forces of wickedness. This is why Jesus told them in John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil.” Jesus also made the point that His faithful followers would no longer listen to the false teachers. Once His followers heard Jesus and knew the Truth, they were set free from the lies of the Pharisees (John 8:31–32).
Challenge & Application
• Why did Jesus have to further explain his illustration to His followers?
• What must we do to be sure we’re not led astray by false teachers?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!