John 10:1-7
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. BUT HE WHO ENTERS BY THE DOOR IS THE SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them again, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.' "
Is Jesus both the door and the shepherd in this context? In the previous chapter, we see what a sinful response Israel's current shepherds presented to Jesus' healing a blind man on the Sabbath. It is my understanding that Jesus was rebuking their shepherding and giving criteria to those He would be calling to shepherd the sheep. "For many are called, but few chosen." (Matthew 20:16) A "called one" becomes a "chosen one" by pointing his/her compass directly at Jesus Christ. Seek Him. Knock on His door. Ask of Him. There is much to learn to become a chosen one as Jesus doesn't send out novices. "Not a novice (new convert), lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil." (1 Timothy 3:6) Based upon a review of things, novices are not just new converts but converts who will not allow the chastening of the Lord in their hearts. They are immature. They are not receiving help nor are they are in a position to help others past where they have been helped. They are trying to enter the sheepfold apart from the door whether they know it or not. The door is with Him, through Him and in Him and includes His transformation of who you are: your soul. "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things, and be in health just as YOUR SOUL PROSPERS (3 John 2).
There is a reason Jesus says to the messenger of the church at Laodicea, "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire(the place in our development where the impurities are separated from purity) that you may be rich (in Christ) (Revelation 3:18)...It is because we need it!
Whether you are called to the ministry or serving in His kingdom in some other capacity, don't try to climb up some other way! Point your compass squarely at Him. He is faithful who promises!
Is Jesus both the door and the shepherd in this context? In the previous chapter, we see what a sinful response Israel's current shepherds presented to Jesus' healing a blind man on the Sabbath. It is my understanding that Jesus was rebuking their shepherding and giving criteria to those He would be calling to shepherd the sheep. "For many are called, but few chosen." (Matthew 20:16) A "called one" becomes a "chosen one" by pointing his/her compass directly at Jesus Christ. Seek Him. Knock on His door. Ask of Him. There is much to learn to become a chosen one as Jesus doesn't send out novices. "Not a novice (new convert), lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil." (1 Timothy 3:6) Based upon a review of things, novices are not just new converts but converts who will not allow the chastening of the Lord in their hearts. They are immature. They are not receiving help nor are they are in a position to help others past where they have been helped. They are trying to enter the sheepfold apart from the door whether they know it or not. The door is with Him, through Him and in Him and includes His transformation of who you are: your soul. "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things, and be in health just as YOUR SOUL PROSPERS (3 John 2).
There is a reason Jesus says to the messenger of the church at Laodicea, "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire(the place in our development where the impurities are separated from purity) that you may be rich (in Christ) (Revelation 3:18)...It is because we need it!
Whether you are called to the ministry or serving in His kingdom in some other capacity, don't try to climb up some other way! Point your compass squarely at Him. He is faithful who promises!
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