Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
My footnotes on v.34 refer to Psalm 82:6 which reads, “I said, You are ‘gods’; you are all sons of the Most High”.
Psalm 82 is quite interesting to me because I have just finished reading, “Everything Must Change” which discusses the very issues raised in this psalm.
My footnotes on v.34 refer to Psalm 82:6 which reads, “I said, You are ‘gods’; you are all sons of the Most High”.
Psalm 82 is quite interesting to me because I have just finished reading, “Everything Must Change” which discusses the very issues raised in this psalm.
what an interesting chapter. i wish i could crack the beginning a little better as he speaks of doors and thieves and robbers…
jesus speaks of “those who came before me.” of whom is he speaking?
interestingly enough jesus also says that the “father is greater than all.” which, according to this simple statement, leads me to believe that jesus did not consider himself an equal with the father. hmmm. which i think ties in to jesus’ response when challenged that he was claiming to be god. instead of saying “you’re right” or any such thing, he instead points out that we are all ‘gods’. interesting indeed.
but my favorite part is jesus’ assertion that his own know his voice and will not follow another. how true, how true.
what an interesting chapter. i wish i could crack the beginning a little better as he speaks of doors and thieves and robbers…
jesus speaks of “those who came before me.” of whom is he speaking?
interestingly enough jesus also says that the “father is greater than all.” which, according to this simple statement, leads me to believe that jesus did not consider himself an equal with the father. hmmm. which i think ties in to jesus’ response when challenged that he was claiming to be god. instead of saying “you’re right” or any such thing, he instead points out that we are all ‘gods’. interesting indeed.
but my favorite part is jesus’ assertion that his own know his voice and will not follow another. how true, how true.
I was also wondering about “those who came before me”. There were Zealots who before Jesus’ time tried to overthrow the Romans on several occasions.
When Jesus quotes Psalm 82 it appears that Jesus is backing down on his claims of equality with God. But then by v.39 the Jews are wanting to seize him for blasphamy again. I think that Jesus is trying to get the Jews to put their brains into gear and have a think about the miracles v.38 and how He is able to perform them. In v.21 we find some must have thought about this.
I wonder why John bothered to tell us it was winter v.22? I guess it helps all those theologians who like to work out a timeline.
I was also wondering about “those who came before me”. There were Zealots who before Jesus’ time tried to overthrow the Romans on several occasions.
When Jesus quotes Psalm 82 it appears that Jesus is backing down on his claims of equality with God. But then by v.39 the Jews are wanting to seize him for blasphamy again. I think that Jesus is trying to get the Jews to put their brains into gear and have a think about the miracles v.38 and how He is able to perform them. In v.21 we find some must have thought about this.
I wonder why John bothered to tell us it was winter v.22? I guess it helps all those theologians who like to work out a timeline.
as i read it again this morning, it seems that the jews have a hard time with the concept of jesus being “in the father” and the father being “in jesus”. for some reason, they took this as him saying that he was god, even though it seems that jesus tries to draw a line between him being god(which he does not claim) and actually being the son of god(which he does). but he maintains his unity with the father, and that, once again, seems to be why they want to kill him.
because unity and permeation of the divine seem to me to be concepts more throroughly fleshed out in the NT. and, of course, those writers DID get stoned by the crowds for saying those things. they eventually got jesus as well. it seems to be a concept that god wanted birthed into the world and it was important enough for many to give up their lives for.
as i read it again this morning, it seems that the jews have a hard time with the concept of jesus being “in the father” and the father being “in jesus”. for some reason, they took this as him saying that he was god, even though it seems that jesus tries to draw a line between him being god(which he does not claim) and actually being the son of god(which he does). but he maintains his unity with the father, and that, once again, seems to be why they want to kill him.
because unity and permeation of the divine seem to me to be concepts more throroughly fleshed out in the NT. and, of course, those writers DID get stoned by the crowds for saying those things. they eventually got jesus as well. it seems to be a concept that god wanted birthed into the world and it was important enough for many to give up their lives for.
v.3-5
Very special message!
He calls us out by name!
We will follow Him as we know His voice!
We will run from another voice!
v. 14
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.
v.20
….. Why listen to Him?….
Somethings have not changed…..today we still hear these words.
Praise God ……He did not give-up on us…..He kept calling our name …..until we answered.
v.3-5
Very special message!
He calls us out by name!
We will follow Him as we know His voice!
We will run from another voice!
v. 14
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.
v.20
….. Why listen to Him?….
Somethings have not changed…..today we still hear these words.
Praise God ……He did not give-up on us…..He kept calling our name …..until we answered.
Yes He keeps calling our name. I love that poem, The Hound Of Heaven which expresses that thought so well.
Jon, Although Jesus never says, “I am God”. He also never says, “I am not God” so I’m wondering if our concept of God isn’t big enough. Btw which writers “DID get stoned by the crowds”?
Yes He keeps calling our name. I love that poem, The Hound Of Heaven which expresses that thought so well.
Jon, Although Jesus never says, “I am God”. He also never says, “I am not God” so I’m wondering if our concept of God isn’t big enough. Btw which writers “DID get stoned by the crowds”?
paul was stoned several times. and although they didn’t kill him, they did leave him for dead thinking that they had. and although we are not sure, it is assumed paul was later martyred for his beliefs and preaching.
peter was crucified upside down. and while this is not stoning, i can’t believe it was less painful.
tradition holds that john also had several (and i can believe painful) attempts made on his life. however, they were not successful. things like forcing him to drink poison and placing him in a vat of boiling oil were tried, but to no avail.
i’m sure if i dug deeper, i would find more stories. technically, they were not all stoned, or maybe they were unsuccessfully like paul, but they were certainly persecuted for their beliefs and preaching in extreme measure.
paul was stoned several times. and although they didn’t kill him, they did leave him for dead thinking that they had. and although we are not sure, it is assumed paul was later martyred for his beliefs and preaching.
peter was crucified upside down. and while this is not stoning, i can’t believe it was less painful.
tradition holds that john also had several (and i can believe painful) attempts made on his life. however, they were not successful. things like forcing him to drink poison and placing him in a vat of boiling oil were tried, but to no avail.
i’m sure if i dug deeper, i would find more stories. technically, they were not all stoned, or maybe they were unsuccessfully like paul, but they were certainly persecuted for their beliefs and preaching in extreme measure.
oic, I thought stoned as in stoned to death.
oic, I thought stoned as in stoned to death.
v.34-36 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’? If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?
It seems Jesus was pointing out how inconsistent the Jews were and how they used Scripture for their own purposes.
v.34-36 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’? If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?
It seems Jesus was pointing out how inconsistent the Jews were and how they used Scripture for their own purposes.
v.3-4 He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Jesus calls, we follow. God initiates the relationship, we respond.
v.3-4 He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Jesus calls, we follow. God initiates the relationship, we respond.
v.7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
Jesus is both the Shepherd and the gate. Sometimes shepherds in Israel would sleep in the gateway so it is not strange for Jesus to be both.
v.7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
Jesus is both the Shepherd and the gate. Sometimes shepherds in Israel would sleep in the gateway so it is not strange for Jesus to be both.
v.16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Jesus seems to be referring to Gentiles as the “other sheep” and his intention for there to be one flock. This would suggest that it is not God’s intention to have a Jewish church and a Gentile church.
v.16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Jesus seems to be referring to Gentiles as the “other sheep” and his intention for there to be one flock. This would suggest that it is not God’s intention to have a Jewish church and a Gentile church.
v. 19-21 The Jews who heard these words were again divided…But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Even Jesus himself did not convince everyone. Likewise today not everyone will be convinced.
v. 19-21 The Jews who heard these words were again divided…But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Even Jesus himself did not convince everyone. Likewise today not everyone will be convinced.
v.30-31 I and the Father are one.” Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him.
Jesus statement, “I and the Father are one” was a claim to deity which is why they tried to stone him. As we saw in chapter 5, a claim to be God’s son or to being one with God, was a claim to deity since, in that culture the son was seen as an extension of his father.
v.30-31 I and the Father are one.” Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him.
Jesus statement, “I and the Father are one” was a claim to deity which is why they tried to stone him. As we saw in chapter 5, a claim to be God’s son or to being one with God, was a claim to deity since, in that culture the son was seen as an extension of his father.
v.24-25 “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. ”Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe.”
Interesting that if people don’t want to believe, they will keep asking. I find this with atheists. They tell you they don’t believe and then keep bringing the subject of faith up.
v.24-25 “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. ”Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe.”
Interesting that if people don’t want to believe, they will keep asking. I find this with atheists. They tell you they don’t believe and then keep bringing the subject of faith up.
v.27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life…
Eternal life is a gift, we don’t earn it.
v.27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life…
Eternal life is a gift, we don’t earn it.
v.42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.
Perhaps, reaping the benefit of John the Baptist’s ministry.
v.42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.
Perhaps, reaping the benefit of John the Baptist’s ministry.
v.26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
Belief is not connected to doctrine, or evidence so much as it is connected to attitude.
v.26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
Belief is not connected to doctrine, or evidence so much as it is connected to attitude.