9 Yes, I (Jesus said) am the Gate (Door). Those who come in through Me will be saved (find safety, healing, will live). They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose (the evil one) is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich (abundant) and satisfying (overflowing) life. 11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd sacrifices (risks, lays down) His life for the sheep…. 14 I am (Jesus said) the Good Shepherd; I know (and recognize) My own sheep, and they know (and recognize) Me, 15 just as My Father knows Me and I know the Father. So, I sacrifice (give voluntarily) My life for the sheep…. 27 My sheep listen to (obey, hear) My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish (lose that life nor be destroyed). No one can snatch them away from Me, 29 for My Father has given them to Me, and He is more powerful (greater, mightier) than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are One.” John 10:9-11, 14-15, 27-30. New Living Translation 2nd Edition
In
John’s Gospel, Jesus revealed the meaning of real life. John’s Gospel proclaimed
Jesus as the Author and Giver of life and the Light of the world like
His Father (John 1:4-5, 9; John 4:10, 12; John 11:25-26; John 12:35-36, 44-47;
John 14:6; 1 John 1:1-2; see also Psalm 36:9; Psalm 56:13; Acts 3:15). Jesus’ glorious
Father is the LORD of heaven and earth and Giver of life (e.g., see Isaiah
42:5; Acts 4:24-25; Acts 14:15; Acts 17:24). The living LORD God gives all humankind
life and breath, and humans live and move and have our being through Him (e.g.,
see Genesis 2:7; Acts 17:25-26, 28). For as the living LORD God has life in
Himself, so He has granted His Son Jesus to have life in Himself (e.g., see;
John 5:21, 25-26; 1 John 5:11; 20).
Jesus
is Life and the Divine Logos (see John 1:1-5). He gives real life to everyone
that obeys and follows Him (e.g., see John 1:4-5; John 10:10-11, 27-28; John
11:25-26). In his Gospel, John explained to everyone that Jesus is the Door and
the Way into His Heavenly Father’s gracious now and for all eternity (John
10:7, 9-10; John 11:25-26; see also Psalm 28:8-9; John 1:51; John 3:3-8; John
14:6). John wrote his Gospel to let everyone know Jesus is the Good Shepherd,
and He ALWAYS cares for His sheep (John 10:2, 11, 14-16; see also Psalm 23:1;
Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:11-12; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 7:17).[1] In
this Gospel, John gave several examples from Jesus’ public ministry on earth to
show Jesus as the Giver of Life and Good Shepherd.
In
chapter 9, Jesus opened and healed a man who was born completely blind (see
John 9:1-12, 14, 18-20, 24). After his healing, the blind man confessed Jesus
as Christ (means the promised Jewish Messiah of God) because Jesus healed and
delivered him from his blindness (John 9:10-12, 15, 22, 25, 27, 30, 38; see
also Luke 4:18-19).[2]
Following the blind man’s confession of Jesus, the religious leaders threw him out
of the synagogue (John 9:22, 34; see also Luke 6:22; John 12:42; John 16:2).
Jesus heard the man formerly blind had been cast out and ex-communicated from
the synagogue, and He came to him (see John 9:35). Some Pharisees were with
Jesus after He healed the blind man (see John 9:40).[3]
Jesus
taught the Pharisees that He is the Good Shepherd, and He leads everyone that
believes and trusts in Him into real life, safety, and salvation (John 10:11, 14-16;
John 3:15-18, 31, 36; see also Psalm 23:1; Acts 4:12). Jesus is God’s grace and
stairway to heaven because He is the begotten Son of God (e.g., see John 1:14,
16-18, 34, 48, 51). As God’s only begotten Son, Jesus is the only way to God’s
salvation, safety, and mercy (see John 1:18; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians
2:18; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16). As the Good Shepherd, Jesus is rules and
protects of His sheep, and His faithful sheep listen, follow, and obey Him as
their Ruler and Protector (John 10:3-5, 27-29; see also Micah 5:2, 4; Matthew
2:6; 1 Peter 2:24-25). Jesus’ sheep (disciples) knows their Shepherd, and they
listen to His voice and follow Him (John 10:3-5, 14, 16, 26-27; see also Matthew
7:21-23). As a Good Shepherd, Jesus calls His own sheep by name, and He leads,
provides, and guides them (John 10:3; see also Luke 19:5; John 1:42).
Centuries
earlier, the Old Testament prophets predicted the LORD would come and care for
His flock (e.g., see Ezekiel 34:11-16, 23-24, 31; Micah 5:2-4; Zechariah 11:7).
The Old Testament prophets predicted the coming Messiah, and the prophets
called Him a Shepherd from King David’s family line (e.g., see Jeremiah 30:9;
Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24-25; Hosea 3:5). The prophet Isaiah wrote of a
beautiful prediction of the LORD gathering His lambs in His arms, carrying them
in His bosom, and gently leading them into good pasture (Isaiah 40:11; see also
Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7; John 10:9-10). The New Testament writers
revealed Jesus as the Good Shepherd and Messiah predicted from King David’s
family line (Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:32-33; John 10:11, 14-16; Romans 1:3-4; 2
Timothy 2:8; Revelation 22:16). As the Good Shepherd, Jesus taught His Holy
Father’s Word, healed the sick, and proclaimed the Good News of God’s Kingdom
(e.g., see Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 9:35-36).
Jesus
informed the listening Pharisees that His true sheep run away and will not
listen to a stranger’s voice (see John 10:5, 8). According to Jesus, the
stranger’s voice is those in partnership with the evil one, and they are the thieves, robbers, and hirelings (see John 10:1, 5, 8,
12-13). In the Holy Scriptures, the thieves, robbers, and hirelings are the false
messiahs, false teachers, and false prophets (e.g., see Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Jeremiah
14:14; Jeremiah 23:16; Matthew 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22; 1 John 4:1). These
workers of evil come to God’s people in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are
ferocious wolves that hurt, harm, and exploit God’s people (e.g., see Matthew
7:15; Mark 12:40; Acts 20:29-30; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 Peter 2:1-3).
In
fact, these lying thieves, robbers, and hirelings do not care, love, nor
protect the sheep but only care for themselves, their position, and their
selfish needs (see John 10:13; see also Isaiah 56:11; Ezekiel 34:2-4; Mark
12:38-40; John 11:49-53). These false religious leaders only tend the sheep for
money, selfish, and financial gains and not for pure and committed love for the
sheep (e.g., see Titus 1:11; 2 Peter 2:1-3). They only peddle the word of God
for profit because they are greedy and jealous (e.g., see Matthew 21:12-13; Luke
16:14; 2 Corinthians 2:17).
Moreover,
these lawless thieves, robbers, and hirelings
only come to steal, kill and destroy like their master – the evil one (see John
8:44; John 10:10). Even worse, these evil workers use lying and disruptive
teaching to divide, deceive, and destroy the flock (e.g., see Romans 16:18; 2
Peter 2:1). Even more, these false religious leaders are full of adultery, and they
never stop sinning (e.g., see 2 Peter 2:14). Additionally, these unholy workers
are boastful, prideful, and only flatter others for their own advantage (e.g.,
see 2 Peter 2:18; Jude 1:16). Still more, these worthless shepherds do not care
for the loss, heal the injured, nor feed the hungry (e.g., see Zechariah 11:15-17;
John 9:35). When harm or hurt comes for the sheep, these evil shepherds are
cowards! These wicked shepherds leave the sheep unprotected, defenseless,
and isolated, and they cause the sheep to scatter and suffer hurt and abuse (John
10:12-13; see also Jeremiah 23:1; Jeremiah 50:6; Ezekiel 34:4-6).
As
the Good Shepherd, Jesus protects, guards, and cares for His obedient and
faithful sheep from harm and danger (John 10:15, 17-18, 26-29; see also Matthew
7:21, 24-25; John 6:37, 39; John 8:47; John 17:12; John 18:9; James 1:22-25). Jesus
leads and guides His obedient sheep into safety and security, and
teaches His sheep the right way of living (John 10:7, 9; see also Psalm
25:9-10; Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 21:14; Luke 21:17-19; John 14:6; 2
Corinthians 4:8-10; Hebrews 4:16). Every sheep who come to Jesus find
salvation, gracious green pastures, and abundant life (John 10:9-10, 28; see
also Psalm 23:2-3, 6; John 1:4, 14, 16-17; John 3:16; John 6:27, 39; John 20:30-31;
1 John 5:11). Like His Heavenly Father, Jesus supplies all His sheep’s needs and
wants, so His obedient and faithful sheep lack no good thing (see also
Psalm 23:1; Psalm 34:9-10; Psalm 40:4; Psalm 84:11-12; Psalm 107:9; Philippians
4:19).
Jesus
protects His sheep even when His sheep walk through the darkest valley because
His Spirit comforts His sheep with His peace, just like His Heavenly Father –
Yahweh (John 16:33; see also Psalm 3:6; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 107:13-14; Psalm
138:7; Isaiah 26:3; Isaiah 42:16; Isaiah 43:2-3). Through His
Father’s Name, Jesus keeps His sheep safe and secure (see 17:11-12). Here is the GOOD
NEWS: Jesus loves His sheep, and He promises never to leave nor forsake His
sheep (John 13:1; see also e.g., Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5; John 13:34; Romans
5:8; Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 13:5-6).
In
contrast to the thieves, robbers, and hirelings who take life, Jesus gives
abundant life now and all eternity for His sheep (see John 10:10, 27-28; 1
John 5:11-13). Jesus’ abundant life begins with His forgiveness, love, and
guidance with our repentance of sins and faith in Him as our Lord
and Savior (e.g., see Matthew 1:21; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 10:43; 1 Timothy 2:5). Through
dedication and obedience to Jesus, the sheep find overflowing life and full
access to His Father’s mercy and grace (John 3:15-18, 35-36; John 17:2; see
also Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:14-16). In John’s Gospel, abundant
life is equivalent to eternal life. Gospel writer John described eternal life
not only as life beyond the grave but Kingdom life that is present NOW. Faith
and obedience to Jesus bring meaningful and purposeful life NOW and for
eternity.
Even
more, Jesus’ sheep shall never perish because no one can snatch His sheep from
His and His Father’s hands (John 10:27-29; see also Matthew 25:46; John 6:37;
John 18:9). Jesus and His Heavenly Father hold onto and protects His sheep from
harm and danger because the sheep are secure in Jesus and His Father’s Hand
(John 10:29; see also John 3:16; John 6:37, 39; John 17:12).
Jesus
is the Good Shepherd and our true King (John 10:11; see also Luke 23:2; Acts
17:7). Jesus generously and voluntarily gave His life as a sacrifice on the
Cross for His sheep so they could be made holy, pure, and righteous through
faith in Him (John 10:11, 14-15, 17-18; John 17:19; see also Acts 3:18-19; 2
Corinthians 5:21; Titus 2:13-14). The living LORD God sent His only begotten
Son Jesus as the Passover Lamb to save the world from their sins (John 1:1-3,
14, 18, 29, 36; John 3:15-18, 36; 1 John 3:5; 1 John 4:14; see also Matthew
17:22-23; Luke 9:56). The living LORD God so loves the world, and He wants
everyone saved by repenting of sin and coming to Him and His Son Jesus (e.g.,
see Matthew 4:17; John 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9). Salvation for the world was
Jesus’ worldwide mission (John 4:42; see also Matthew 1:21; Matthew
28:18-20).
Jesus’
death and resurrection were part of God’s overall plan for the salvation of the
world and under God’s full control (e.g., see Isaiah 53:10; Luke 22:22; Acts
2:23). No individual, group, or government had the power to kill Jesus because He
willingly and voluntarily laid down and gave His life as an offering to protect
and care for His sheep (John 10:18; see also Ephesians 5:2, 25-27; Hebrews
7:27; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:10, 12). In other words, John pictures Jesus as
the One that is always in FULL control to save the sheep.
John
makes clear that Jesus’ true sheep include ALL PEOPLE (Jews and non-Jews – Gentiles)
that believe, listen, and obey Him as their Good Shepherd (John 10:16; John 14:15,
21-23; John 15:5, 7, 10; see also Psalm 103:17-18; Proverbs 8:32; Luke 6:47-49;
Luke 8:20-21; Luke 11:28; Galatians 3:28; James 1:22-25). Jesus came to save
Gentiles as well as Jews. As the Good and Chief Shepherd, Jesus unites and
brings together all God’s people – Jews and non-Jews – into one spiritual body,
the Church (see Ephesians 2:14-22). Just as God the Father and His Son
Jesus are One, Jesus wants His faithful and obedient sheep to be one with Him
and His Father (John 5:36; John 10:30, 38; John 14:9-11, 20-21; see also
John 17:20-21). In chapter 17, Jesus prayed passionately to His Holy Father
that His faithful sheep would become one with Him as their Shepherd
(e.g., see John 17:11, 21-24).
John’s
Gospel teaches that God the Father and His Son Jesus are One in perfect unity, essence,
and nature (John 10:30, 33, 38; see also Deuteronomy 6:4-6; John 1:1-5, 14, 18;
John 5:17-18; Colossians 2:9-10; Hebrews 1:1-3). Jesus is God (e.g., see John
1:1-5; John 14:9-11; John 17:5; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:6; Colossians
2:9-10; 1 John 5:20). Moreover, Jesus is the promised Jewish Messiah
(Christ) and Son of the living LORD God (e.g., see Matthew 16:16; Mark
14:61-62; Luke 1:29-37; Luke 2:10-11; John 20:30-31; Acts 9:20, 22; Acts 18:5;
Romans 1:3-5; Galatians 4:4). At Jesus’ birth, the holy angels announced Jesus’
titles: Savior, Christ (Messiah, Anointed One), and Lord (Yahweh, or God) (Luke
2:11, see also Matthew 1:21; Acts 2:36). Jesus’ good works and deeds while on
earth bore witness that He was the Son of God and His Heavenly Father was
living and working within Him (John 3:2; John 5:36-37; John 8:29; John 14:10-11;
John 10:25, 30, 36-38; see also Matthew 11:4-6; Acts 2:22; Acts 10:38).
Jesus’
All-Powerful Father sent and appointed His Son Christ Jesus as the Chief and Great
Shepherd of His sheep (John 3:35; John 5:36-38; John 6:29; John 10:28-29; John
17:2, 6, 9, 24; see also Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 5:4). Like God the Father
appointed Jesus as Shepherd, Jesus has commissioned and called His disciples to
continue His good work to feed, teach, and take care of His sheep (John
10:29; see also Matthew 28:18-20; John 21:15-19; Acts 20:28-31; 2 Timothy 3:16-17;
1 Peter 5:1-4).
Interestingly,
Jesus gave His final public teaching in John 10 occurred at the Jerusalem Temple
during the time of the Festival of Dedication (see John 10:22). This
celebration is also known as Hanukkah or the Feast of Lights. This festival
celebrated the cleansing of the Temple under Judas Maccabeus in 164 BC. In 164
BC, Antiochus Epiphanes defiled the Jewish Temple by sacrificing a pig on the Temple’s
altar of burnt offering. Even more, Hanukkah celebrated the sovereign LORD
God’s deliverance, against all human probabilities when Antiochus Epiphanes and
his mighty army tried to destroy the Jews.
Hanukkah
takes place in December, near the time of the Christian Christmas celebration,
and lasts for eight days. Jesus had previously been in Jerusalem for the
Festival of Shelters, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles (see John 7:2).
Then, Jesus preached in various towns in Judea before returning to Jerusalem
for the Hanukkah celebration. John wanted His readers to see that Jesus fulfilled
the festivals’ intentions. Both the Feast of Tabernacles and Hanukkah used
lights during their celebrations, and Jesus is the Light of the world (e.g.,
see John 1:4-5, 9; John 8:12; John 9:5). Even more, Jesus is our Provider and
Shelter from God.
Belief
in Jesus as the Author and Giver of life came to a climax with Lazarus’s
resurrection in chapter 11 (e.g., see John 1:4; John 11:25-26). The
resurrection of Lazarus after four days was Jesus’ seventh and grandest sign.[4] Lazarus’
resurrection revealed Jesus’ highest divine power. Moreover, Lazarus’s
resurrection also anticipated Jesus’ coming death and resurrection from the
dead by His Holy Father (e.g., see Acts 2:24, 32; Acts 4:10; Acts 13:30, 33-34,
37). On the surface, Lazarus’ death appeared hopeless, just like Jesus’ death.
However, the story of Lazarus’s resurrection from complete death revealed that
nothing is too hard for God (e.g., see Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27;
Matthew 19:26; Mark 9:23; Luke 1:37). However, Jesus’ final and greatest
miracle with Lazarus’s resurrection began the chain of events that ultimately
lead to His death (see John 11:46, 53).[5]
Chapter
11 opens with sisters, Mary and Martha asking Jesus to heal their brother
Lazarus from his sickness (see John 11:1-3). Mary and Martha sent a message to
Jesus telling Him that His good friend Lazarus, whom
He loved, was sick (see John 11:3).[6] Jesus
did not immediately answer His friends Mary and Martha’s request for help to
heal their brother, Lazarus. Jesus loved Martha, Mary,
and Lazarus (see John 11:5). Previously, Jesus had visited Mary and
Martha’s home for dinner as He headed to Jerusalem (see Luke 10:38-42). Mary
also anointed Jesus with expensive ointment and wiped His feet with her hair (John
11:2; see also John 12:3).
When
Mary and Martha pleaded for Jesus’ help to heal their sick brother Lazarus, He delayed
His help for two days and stayed in the wilderness (John 11:5-6; see also John
10:40-42). One would expect that Jesus would have immediately moved since He
loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. John made clear that Jesus made His journey as
He determined and according to God’s will and not at other dictates (e.g., see John
2:1-5; John 7:3-10). Even more, Jesus was living in the wilderness with His
disciples after the Jews tried to seize Him earlier in Jerusalem (see John
10:39).
Jesus
informed His disciples that the purpose of His delay and Lazarus’s sickness was
not death but for God’s glory so the works of God might be displayed through
Him (John 11:4, 40; see also John 9:3; John 10:38; John 17:24). Lazarus’s death
and resurrection would visibly display Jesus’ glory as the Giver of life and the
Son of God (John 11:4, 15; see also John 10:36; Acts 3:15). Jesus worked the
good works and deeds of His Holy Father through Him (e.g., see John 4:34; John
9:3-5; Ephesians 2:10; Acts 10:38).
After
some delay, Jesus returned to Bethany, located in the Judea region (John 11:7).
Bethany was a short distance from Jerusalem, approximately 2 miles or 3
kilometers (see John 11:18). Jesus’s disciples objected and were fearful of
Jesus returning to Jerusalem (see John 11:8). In Judea, the Jewish leaders tried
to stone and kill Jesus because He declared that He was One with God as His Son
(John 11:8; see also John 8:59; John 10:30-31, 38-39). Thus, Jesus was
experiencing increased anger against Him. Because of these threats and
hostility from the Jewish leaders, Jesus withdrew and left Jerusalem and went
away across the Jordan to the place where John the Baptizer had been baptizing (see
John 10:40-42).[7] Some
scholars have noted because of the Jewish hostility in Jerusalem against His
life, Jesus delayed His return to Jerusalem, therefore revealing Jesus’
humanity. Nevertheless, Jesus informed His disciples that He would courageously
return to Judea because He was walking in the light of His Heavenly Father’s
will to resurrect Lazarus from complete death (see John 11:9-14). Jesus
returned to Bethany during the last week of His life.
When
Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been died in the tomb for four days
(see John 11:17, 39).[8] When
Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at
home (see John 11:20). Martha expressed faith in Jesus by saying if He had been
there her brother Lazarus would not have died (see John 11:21, 37). Later, Mary
also expressed to Jesus that her brother Lazarus would still be alive if He had
been there (see John 11:32). Some scholars see an implied scolding, anger, and
rebuke from both Martha and Mary for Jesus’ delay in not healing their brother
when they plead for His help. However, Martha and Mary had confidence in Jesus’s
power to heal sickness and death (John 11:22, 32; see also Matthew 9:18-26; Matthew
11:4-6; Mark 5:21-42; Luke 7:11-17, 22; Luke 8:41-56). Jesus’ glorious Father
always answers Jesus’ prayers (see John 9:31; John 11:22, 41).
Before
the events with Lazarus, Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in Jewish synagogues,
proclaiming the Good News of God’s Kingdom, and healing every kind of
disease and sickness among the people (e.g., see Matthew 4:23; Luke 4:40-44;
Luke 6:17-19; Luke 7:21). The Synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark, and Luke –
revealed Jesus as the Healer from Galilee.[9]
Throughout Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee, Jesus healed many who had
diseases, sicknesses, and evil (unclean) spirits, and He gave sight to many who
were blind (e.g., see Matthew 8:14-16; Matthew 14:14; Mark 1:29-34). Jesus healed
the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others. The people were
amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the disabled made well, the lame
walking, and the blind seeing (e.g., see Matthew 12:22-23; Matthew 15:29-31;
Matthew 21:14; Luke 5:24; John 9:1-9). With just His word, Jesus made blind
receive sight, the lame walk, those who had leprosy were cleansed, the deaf
heard, and the dead were raised cast (e.g., see Matthew 9:27-33; Mark 1:32-34; Mark
3:10-12; Luke 7:7, 21-23; John 10:21).
News
about Jesus spread from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the
region across the Jordan followed Him, and He healed them all (e.g., see Matthew
4:24-25; Matthew 9:31; Matthew 12:15-16; Matthew 19:2; Luke 4:40). People
brought to Jesus all who were ill with various diseases, suffering severe pain
and demon possession, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and Jesus
healed them all (e.g., see Matthew 4:24; Matthew 19:2). Wherever Jesus went into
villages, towns, or countryside, the people brought the sick to Him, and all
who touched Jesus’ cloak were healed (e.g., see Mark 6:54-56). Therefore, many
people were amazed by Jesus, and they came to believe that Jesus was the long-awaited
Jewish Messiah (Christ) (e.g., see Mark 5:20; John 2:11, 23; John 7:31; John
10:40-42; John 20:30-31).[10] Like
His Heavenly Father in the Old Testament, everyone who sought the Lord Jesus in
their trouble was saved from their distress, healed, and rescued from the grave
(e.g., see 2 Kings 20:5-6; Psalm 30:2-3; Psalm 103:2-5; Psalm 107:19-20; Psalm
147:3; John 10:30, 38).
Thus,
Jesus fulfilled what was predicted by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah: “He
took our illnesses and bore our diseases” (see Isaiah 53:4). The prophet Isaiah
prophesied and predicted the Servant of God would surely come to take and
absorb our illnesses, disabilities, pain, suffering, and disease (see Isaiah
53:4). The living LORD God anointed His Son Jesus as His Servant with the Holy
Spirit and power (e.g., see Acts 10:38). Jesus went around doing good and
healing all who were under the power of evil because God was with Him (Luke
4:14-19; see also Isaiah 61:1-2; John 3:2; Acts 2:22).
Jesus
informed Martha that her brother Lazarus would come back to life (see John
11:23). Then, Martha said to Jesus that her brother Lazarus would rise to life again
at the Resurrection Day at the end of the age (John 11:24; see also Daniel
12:1-2; Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Revelation 20:11-15). Martha’s
statement of an end-time resurrection was in keeping with Jesus’ beliefs as
well as the beliefs of Pharisees and most Jews (e.g., see John 5:21, 25-29; John
6:39-44; Acts 23:6-8).
Jesus
said to Martha that He is the Resurrection and the Life for all
who believe in Him (see John 11:25-26). Thus, Jesus assured Mary and Martha
that the power at the end of the age is accessible NOW through faith in Him! John
wanted to ensure His readers that the moment they place their faith in Jesus,
they experience NOW in the present life the blessings of the age to come (John
1:4; John 3:15-17, 36; John 5:21, 24; John 6:39-40, 44, 57; John 10:10; John
14:6; see also 1 Corinthians 15:21-22). Even if a believer of Jesus experiences
physical death, ALL believers of Jesus will experience eternal life and never
die (John 11:25-26; see also John 6:50-51; John 8:24, 51). Jesus is the Bread
of Life, and He holds the keys to life and death (see John 6:35, 47-48, 50-51;
Revelation 1:18).
At
John 11:25-26, Jesus gives the CLEAREST expression of realized
eschatology because He declared, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life.
The resurrection and the life are Kingdom ideas. Thus, Jesus took Martha’s future
hope and proclaimed to Martha that the power to raise the dead to life was in
their midst. Throughout John’s Gospel, John wanted his readers to know that the
power at the end of the age when death is reversed and replaced with life is
realized in the present NOW with belief in Jesus (e.g., see John 11:25-26)!
Next,
Martha made a great declaration of faith in Jesus (see John 11:27). First,
Martha states that Jesus is the Christ, that is the Messiah of the Jewish
expectation (John 11:27; e.g., see also Matthew 1:1, 17; Matthew 16:16; Luke
2:10-11; John 1:20, 41; John 4:25-26; Acts 2:36; Acts 3:20; Acts 9:22; 1 John
5:1). Second, Martha called Jesus the Son of God (John 11:27; see also
John 1:34, 49; John 5:19; John 20:31; 1 John 5:20). For many in first-century
Palestine, Jesus was only considered a Jewish Rabbi (e.g., see Mark 10:51; John
1:38, 49; John 3:1-2; John 4:31; John 6:25; John 9:2; John 20:16). However,
Martha acknowledged Jesus was not only a Jewish Rabbi but the Son of God!
Moreover, others including John the Baptist, Nathanael, Peter, the blind
beggar, and Jesus Himself affirmed that He is the Son of the living God (e.g.,
see John 1:34, 49; John 5:25; John 6:69; John 9:35, 38; John 10:36; John
20:30-31). Third, Martha called Jesus the One that has come into the
world (John 11:27; see also John 3:31; John 6:14). Indeed, Jesus is the
long-awaited Deliverer (Coming-One) sent from God to accomplish God’s salvation
for the world (e.g., see Matthew 1:21; John 1:29, 36; John 6:14; John 18:37).
Then,
Jesus saw Mary and some Jews comforting her weeping for Lazarus’s death (see
John 11:33). When Jesus saw this weeping, He became angry, troubled, and deeply
moved in His Spirit and asked where Lazarus was buried (see John 11:33-34, 38).
Tears came to Jesus’ eyes as He wept for His dear friend Lazarus (see John
11:35).[11] Jesus’
love and weeping for Lazarus revealed His humanity. John’s Gospel wanted to show
that Jesus was both Divine and human (e.g., see John 1:1-5, 14).[12] The
Jews saw how much Jesus loved His dear friend Lazarus (see John 11:3, 36). However,
some Jews at Lazarus’ death noted that Jesus healed a blind man, but He could
not keep Lazarus from dying (John 11:37; see also John 9:6-7). Once again,
Jesus was deeply moved (see John 11:38).
Jesus
came to Lazarus’ tomb (see John 11:38). At this point, Lazarus had been dead
for four days (see John 11:39). Once more, Jesus informed Martha that she would
see a wonderful miracle from God’s glory if she only believed (John
11:40; see also Mark 9:23). Jesus looked up to His glorious Father in prayer
(John 11:41; see also John 17:1). In praying, Jesus confessed thanksgiving that
His Holy Father always hears His prayers (John 11:42; see also 1 Timothy 2:5). Then
Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out,” and Lazarus returned to life (see John 11:43-44).
Truly, Jesus can bring the dead to life (John 5:25; see also Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-42; Luke 7:11-17; Luke 8:41-56).
After Lazarus’s miraculous resurrection from death, many Jews believed in
Him (John 11:45; see also John 2:11, 23; John 7:31; John 12:11).
Earlier,
Jesus had proclaimed that all in the tombs would hear His voice and again live
(John 5:25; see also Luke 7:14-15; Ephesians 2:1, 4-5). All those who have done
good will rise to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to
the resurrection of judgment (John 5:28-29; see also Matthew 25:46). The Holy Scriptures
are clear: The Lord will reward each one
of us for the good works we do while on earth (e.g., see Matthew 16:27; 2
Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 6:8). The living LORD God and
His Son, Jesus reward everyone for doing good (e.g., see Psalm 62:12;
Ephesians 6:8; Colossians 3:23-25; Revelation 22:12). Everyone who seeks and
obeys the Lord Jesus will live because in Jesus is Life now and for
eternity for His sheep (e.g., see John 1:4; John 3:15-17, 36; John 6:57-59;
John 14:6; Romans 2:6-8; 1 John 1:1-2; 1 John 5:11-13, 20). Like His Heavenly
Father, Jesus holds the keys of life and death (Revelation 1:18; see also
Deuteronomy 32:29; 1 Samuel 2:6; Psalm 68:20; John 11:25-26; John 17:2-3). Jesus
is the Giver of life (e.g., see John 1:4; John 3:15-16, 36; John 4:14, 36; John
6:27, 33, 35, 40, 47-48, 51, 53-54; 68; John 8:12; John 10:10, 25, 28; John
14:6).
However,
not everyone applauded and praised Jesus for Lazarus’ resurrection. Some Jews went away to the Pharisees and
reported Jesus’ miracle (see John 11:46). Afterward, the chief priests and
Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin[13]
council to plot and scheme how they would arrest and kill Jesus (John 11:47, 53,
57; see also Matthew 26:3-4). The chief priests and Pharisees could not deny
Jesus and His many miraculous signs that revealed God’s glory within Him
(John 11:47; see also John 2:11, 23; John 3:2; John 6:2, 14; John 12:37). However,
the chief priests and Pharisees feared the whole nation would follow Jesus, and
then the Romans would take over the Jewish government (see John 11:48). Even worse,
these religious leaders feared they would lose their Temple and their positions
with Roman (see John 11:48).
Caiaphas,
who was High Priest that year, said that it would be better for Jesus to die
for the people and not let the whole nation perish (John 11:49-50; see also
John 18:14). Unbeknown to Caiaphas, his words expressed the Christian faith’s central
doctrine — Jesus’ atoning and substitutionary death for our sins and
reconciliation with His Father, the LORD (e.g., see John 3:16; Romans 3:24-26;
Hebrews 2:9). Jesus’ death would not be only for Israel, but for all God’s children
scattered around the world so they could become one with Jesus as Chief
Shepherd as predicted by the Old Testament prophets (John 11:51-52; John
10:16; John 12:32; John 17:11, 21-22; see also Isaiah 49:6; Jeremiah 31:10; Ezekiel
34:23; Ephesians 2:14-17).
Because
of Lazarus’s resurrection from the dead, many Jews accepted and believed in
Jesus (John 11:45; see also John 2:11, 23; John 7:31; John 12:9-11). So, the
Jewish leaders began plotting and scheming to arrest and kill Jesus and His
friend Lazarus (see John 11:53; John 12:9-11, 17-18).[14] From the
Prologue, John declared that Jesus came unto Him own Jewish people as their Promised
Messiah, but many rejected Him (John 1:11; see also Isaiah 53:3; John 3:11, 32;
John 5:43).
After
the Jew leadership’s plotting and scheming, Jesus left Jerusalem and went into wilderness
country to a city called Ephraim with His disciples (John 11:54; see also John
10:40-42). The Jewish Passover celebration was near (see John 11:55). Many
people arrived in Jerusalem wanting to see Jesus (see John 11:55-56).[15] In
John’s Gospel, this was Jesus’ third and final Passover attendance (see also
John 2:13; John 6:4). Jesus was popular with the crowds, and His fame reached
beyond Jerusalem and into the surrounding cities (e.g., see Matthew 4:25; Mark
3:7-8; Luke 6:17; Luke 8:4; John 6:15). Meanwhile, the chief priests and
Pharisees had officially announced that anyone seeing Jesus must report Him
immediately so that they could arrest Him (see John 11:57).
Jesus
did return to Jerusalem for this third and final Passover (see John 12:12-15).
At this Passover, Jesus would lay down His life and become the Passover Lamb on
Calvary Cross for the sins of the world (e.g., see John 1:29, 36; John 10:15,
17-18; John 15:13; John 19:17-27; 1 Peter 2:24). Before His sacrificial death
for the sins of the world, Jesus taught His closest disciples in the Upper Room
(see John 13:1-16:33). Then, Jesus prayed for His disciples in chapter 17.
1 After saying
all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour
has come. Glorify Your Son so He can give glory back to You. 2 For You
have given Him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one You
have given Him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life — to
know (and understand) You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You
sent to earth…. 10 All, who are Mine, belong to You, and You
have given them to Me, so they bring Me glory…. 15 I am not asking You
to take them out of the world, but to keep (and protect) them safe from the
evil one…. 20 I am praying not only for these disciples but also for
all who will ever believe in Me through their message. 21 I pray
that they will all be one, just as You and I are One — as You are in Me, Father,
and I am in You. And may they be in Us so that the world will believe You
sent Me. 22 I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may
be one as We are One. John 17:1-3, 10, 15, 20-22, New Living
Translation 2nd Edition
John 17 records
Jesus’ greatest prayer ever prayed on earth and the greatest prayer
recorded anywhere in the Holy Scriptures. This prayer has often been called the
“High Priestly” prayer or the Lord’s prayer. Moreover, this prayer is Jesus’ longest
recorded prayer, and Jesus spoke this prayer just before His death on the
Cross. Jesus prayed His supreme prayer after He declared to His disciples that in
Him, they may have peace in this world because He has overcome the world (John
16:33; see also John 14:27; John 20:19, 21, 26; Colossians 3:15).
Even more, this
chapter has been called Jesus’ intercessory prayer for His disciples who would
form His Church (see John 17:6-26). In this chapter, Jesus interceded and prayed
to His Heavenly Father for His current and future disciples (see also Romans
8:34; Hebrews 4:14-16). In the three previous chapters, Jesus taught His
closest disciples (later known as apostles) in the Upper Room at His final
Passover meal (see John 13:1-16:33). In this wonderful prayer, Jesus prayed for
His glory through His sacrificial death as the Passover Lamb so that He may
glorify His Father (John 17:1-5; see also John 1:29, 36; Ephesians 5:25-26).
Then, Jesus interceded and prayed to His Heavenly Father for His sheep’s protection,
joy, holiness, unity, and ultimate glory (see John 17:11, 17, 21-24). JESUS
LOVES HIS SHEEP (John 13:1, 34; John 15:12; John 17:26; see also Romans
5:8; Romans 8:37; Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 4:10-11; Revelation 1:5).
To begin His excellent
prayer, Jesus looked up towards heaven and confirmed that His
Heavenly Father had given Him authority over the entire human race – every man
and woman on the earth (John 17:1-2, 6; see also Matthew 11:27; Matthew
28:18; John 3:35; Acts 10:42-43; Acts 17:31; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:2). Notably,
Jesus lifted His eyes towards heaven and fixed His eyes on His Holy and
Sovereign Father for help (John 17:2; see also Psalm 123:1; Psalm 141:8; Isaiah
66:1-2; Mark 6:41; Mark 7:34; John 11:41). Moreover, in this chapter, Jesus repeatedly
stated that His sheep are His Father's gift to Him as His Son (see John 17:2,
6, 9, 11-12, 24). Then, Jesus acknowledged His sacrificial death to give
eternal life to the sheep that His Heavenly Father had given Him (John 17:2;
see also John 3:15-16, 35-36; John 6:47; John 10:28). All is of God!
This is the way to
the real and eternal life: knowing and believing in Jesus’s Heavenly
Father – the one and only true living God, and Himself as the Christ sent from His
Father (John 17:3; see also John 5:44; Jeremiah 10:10; John 20:30-31; Romans
16:27; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 John 5:20). Truly knowing and understanding the living
LORD God and His Son Jesus mean accepting the LORD (Yahweh, who is the Great I
AM) that demonstrates dependable and faithful love and brings fairness, mercy,
goodness, and righteousness to the earth (Jeremiah 9:23-24; see also Exodus
34:6-7; Psalm 51:1; Isaiah 61:8; Micah 7:18). The LORD rejoices in those who follow
and do His fairness, goodness, and love in the world towards others (e.g., see
Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 9:24; Micah 6:6-8; John 13:34-35; Romans 13:8-10).
While on earth, Christ
Jesus revealed His Father and His Father’s Name and Nature to the world (see John
17:6, 26). Jesus demonstrated His Righteous Father’s compassion, kindness,
grace, truth, and justice during His public ministry (e.g., see Exodus 34:5-7;
Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 15:32; Mark 6:34; Mark 8:2-3; John 1:14,
16-17; John 14:6). The Old Testament proclaimed the living LORD God’s Name as
the Great I AM, and His Name means grace, mercy, patience, truth, and justice (see
Exodus 3:14-15; Exodus 34:5-7; Nehemiah 9:17). One of the ministries of Jesus
was to make known His Holy Father in the world as the Great I AM incarnate –
human flesh (e.g., see John 1:14, 18; John 6:35; John 8:12; John 10:11; John
14:6). Jesus’ good works and good teaching testified about His Father’s Name
and Nature (e.g., see John 5:36; John 10:25).
While on earth,
Jesus revealed and proclaimed His Holy Father’s Name and Glory by completing
the work His Heavenly Father gave Him to accomplish (John 17:1, 4; see also John
1:14, 18; John 4:34; John 5:36). Now, Jesus prayed that His Heavenly Father would
bring Him into the glory shared before the world began (John 17:5, 24; see also
Proverbs 8:23; John 1:1-2; John 16:28; John 8:28; Philippians 2:6).
Moreover, Jesus taught
His Father’s commands to the sheep His Father gave Him (see John 17:6-8, 14, 17,
19). The gift of Jesus was His Father’s word to His disciples. Jesus’s faithful
sheep accepted and obeyed the Heavenly Father’s word taught by Jesus, because
they knew and believed Jesus came from His Father (John 17:6-8; see also John
6:69; John 16:30). Even more, Jesus taught His Father’s word (commandments) to
His disciples because He knew His Father’s word led to eternal life, holiness,
and joy (John 17:8, 13-14, 17, 19; see also John 6:63, 68; John 8:28; John
12:49-50; John 14:24, 31; John 15:15). Obedience to Jesus’ commands brings
joy, freedom, and holiness (John 17:13-14, 17; see also Psalm 51:8, 12; John
8:31-32; John 15:3, 10-12).[16]
The Heavenly Father’s word is truth that makes Jesus’ sheep joyful, free, and
holy (see John 17:13, 17).
Next, Jesus
prayed for the obedient sheep His Heavenly Father had given Him (see John
17:2, 9, 20). The obedient sheep are Jesus’ disciples, and they belong to His
Father (see John 17:2, 6, 9-10, 20, 24). These obedient sheep bring Jesus’s
glory in the world because His life is on display in their daily lives (see
John 17:10). In other words, the world is reached through His disciples, and Jesus
prayed for His disciples in this task (John 17:18; see also Matthew 28:18-20). As
His Father sent Him into the world, Jesus sends His sheep into the world (John
17:3, 8, 18, 21, 23, 25; see also Matthew 28:19; John 3:17; John 6:29, 57; John
10:36; John 11:42; John 20:21).
Jesus prayed to
His Heavenly Father for His sheep’s protection, care, and safety by the power
of His Heavenly Father’s Name as He sent His sheep into the world (John 17:11,
15-16; see also John 20:21). The living LORD God’s Name is a strong tower of
protection (e.g., see Psalm 20:1; Psalm 54:4; Proverbs 18:10). God is our
refuge, strength, and ever-present help in times of trouble (e.g., see Psalm
46:1; Daniel 3:28-29; Nahum 1:7).
Notably, Jesus
did not pray for His Father to remove His sheep from the world, but He prayed
for His Father’s protection and care of the sheep from the evil one (John 17:9,
15). While on earth, Jesus protected and guarded His faithful sheep against the
evil one so that no one was lost (John 17:12, 15; see also John 6:39; John
10:28; John 18:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Jude 1:24-25). The only sheep that was
lost was Judas Iscariot because he chose the evil and destructive path, as the
Scriptures foretold (John 17:12; see also Matthew 7:13-14; John 13:18, 26-27). As
Jesus prepared to return to heaven, He prayed to His Heavenly Father to keep His
obedient sheep safe and guarded from Satan’s evil power in the world through
His Spirit (see John 17:14-16). Jesus’ protection by the Holy Spirit comes to
His sheep as they faithfully obey Him and His Father’s commands (see
also John 14:15-21, 23-24; Acts 5:31).
In the concluding
session, Jesus continued His intercessory prayer not only for His current disciples
but also for all future sheep who would believe in Him through His
disciples’ message and testimony (John 17:9, 20; see also John 4:39). Jesus
prayed that His faithful and obedient sheep would be one with Him and His
Heavenly Father (see John 17:21). As stated earlier in chapter 10, Jesus
knew in the future other believing sheep would be gathered as His disciples,
and He would become their Shepherd (John 10:16; John 11:52; see also Jeremiah
32:36-38).
As one, Jesus
prayed that His sheep would be united in one heart, action, and mind just
as He and His Heavenly Father are One (John 17:11, 21-24; see also Jeremiah
32:39-41; John 10:30, 38; John 14:9-11; 1 Corinthians 6:17). Jesus wanted to keep
His sheep in unity and away from discord, division, and strife. Disunity
and discord hurt the Body of Christ. Moreover, Jesus prayed that His obedient disciples
would be in Him and His Heavenly Father as One through the indwelling of the
Holy Spirit (John 17:11, 21; see also John 10:30, 38; John 14:9-11; 15-17,
20-21, 23). With this mutual indwelling, Jesus would impart into His disciples His
heavenly joy, blessings, strength, power, and fellowship that comes from His
Heavenly Father (e.g., see John 15:4-5; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:33; 1 John 1:3).
Even more, Jesus gives His faithful sheep the glory His Heavenly Father gave
Him (see John 17:22). The purpose of Jesus’ glory was so
His disciples would walk and live in unity as Him and His Heavenly Father so
His disciples can reflect His glorious light in the world (John 17:22-24; see
also 2 Corinthians 3:18). The Old Testament predicted future prosperity and
blessings for Jesus’ united sheep (e.g., Jeremiah 32:41-44). Jesus prayed that
the mighty love His Holy Father gave Him would be in His faithful sheep as He lives
and abides inside His faithful sheep (John 17:25-26; see also John 15:4-7, 9, 15).
The living LORD
God is faithful, and He has called EVERYONE into fellowship with His Son, Jesus
Christ our Lord (e.g., see 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:3). Everyone that continually
and faithfully obeys Jesus and His Father’s commands belong to the one Body
of Christ by the Holy Spirit (e.g., see John 14:23; John 17:8; Romans 8:9-11; 1
Corinthians 6:17; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:19; 1 John
3:24; 1 John 4:15). Even more, our obedience to the teaching of the living LORD
God and His Son Jesus bring life and unity with Jesus (e.g., see John 12:49-50;
Ephesians 5:30; 1 John 2:24-25).
The Resurrected Christ
Jesus is the Head of the Church, and He is the Savior of His Body, the Church
(see Ephesians 5:23). Jesus loves and cares for the Church, and He gave up His
life for the Church to make the Church holy, clean, and washed by the cleansing
of God’s word (see Ephesians 5:2, 25-27, 29). In the Church, we become members
of Jesus’ Body (see Ephesians 5:30).
Do Jesus’
protection and love give believers permission to continue sinning and doing the
works of the evil one? NO! The living LORD God calls ALL PEOPLE to repent (turn
from evil and turn to Him as their God) (e.g., see Acts 17:30; Titus 2:11-12). God’s
people are not to follow the evil and sinful ways of the world (see 1 John
5:18-19). We are saved by grace for good works to bring God glory and not to
continue the path of sin and evil (e.g., see Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians
2:8-10; Romans 6:1-2, 11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17; Titus 2:11-12).
Sin separates us from God and His protection (e.g., see Isaiah 1:15; Isaiah
59:2). No one who genuinely loves and accepted Christ Jesus keeps on sinning
and doing evil deeds (e.g., see Romans 6:11-12; 1 John 2:3-6, 29; 1 John 3:6-7,
9; 1 John 5:18; 2 John 1:9; 3 John 1:11).
The living LORD God and His Son Christ Jesus have
called the sheep to live good, holy, and pure lives (e.g., see Ephesians 5:1; 1
Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Christ Jesus died for the sheep’s sins on
the Cross so His sheep would flee and die to sins, obey His teaching,
and live daily for God’s glory, goodness, and righteousness (e.g., see
Romans 12:21; 2 Timothy 2:19; Hebrews 12:1; 1 Peter 2:24-25; 1 John 2:6; 2 John
1:9). The Holy Father and His Son Jesus call the sheep to live a life filled
with love and follow the example of Christ Jesus, who walks in the good Light
(e.g., see John 13:34-35; Ephesians 5:2, 8-9, 14-15). Such evil and dark deeds
as sexual sins, dishonesty, corruption, drunkenness, prejudice, dirty and foul
talk, and greed (covetousness) have no place among God’s people (e.g., see
Ephesians 5:3-4, 11-12, 18). No one continuing in such evil deeds and works
will enter into the Kingdom of the Messiah and of God nor receive God’s Holy
Spirit (e.g., see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5; 1
Thessalonians 4:3-8; Revelation 21:8). In fact, God’s anger and wrath fall on
everyone who lives and does these evil deeds and works (e.g., see, Romans 1:18;
Ephesians 5:6-7). A person’s evil actions and words really show they are enemies
of Christ Jesus and His teaching (e.g., see Philippians 3:17-18). Their daily
lives and actions reveal they live only for this world goods and not for the
Kingdom of God (e.g., see Philippians 3:19-20).
Christ Jesus
taught His disciples to obey His teaching because His teaching came from His
Holy Father (e.g., see Matthew 7:28-29; Mark 1:27; Mark 2:2; John 7:16-17; John
8:28, 31-32; John 12:49-50; John 14:10, 24; John 15:10). The Holy Father’s
blessings come to those to hear and obey His and His Son, Jesus’ teaching
(e.g., see Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Luke 8:21; Luke 11:28). The Resurrected Christ
Jesus and His Holy Father come to live in Jesus’ disciples as they love and
obey Jesus’ teaching (e.g., see John 14:15-17, 21, 23).
LET EVERYONE
OBEY AND FOLLOW THE GOOD SHEPHERD, JESUS!
References
Amplified Bible
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987).
Apologetics Study Bible:
Understanding Why You Believe (Nashville, TN:
Holman Bible Publishers, 2012).
ESV Study Bible,
English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).
Life
Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House,
1971).
Message Bible
(Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2002).
New Student Bible
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).
Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago,
IL: Moody, 1995).
The Living Bible Paraphrase
(Tyndale House, 1971).
Zondervan NIV Study Bible
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).
Morris,
Leon. The Gospel According to John, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans,
1995).
Dr.
Loyd Melton, Ph.D., Senior Professor of the New Testament (Due West, SC:
Erskine Theological Seminary, Summer 2020).
Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament
(Victor Books, 1989).
[1]
Some of the greatest people named in the Bible were shepherds by occupation:
Abel, the patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses, and David, to name a
few. Also, the Heavenly Father used shepherds as His first evangelist to
announce His Son Jesus’ birth (see Luke 2:8-9, 15-20).
[2]
In the New Testament, the Hebrew word
Messiah translates the Greek word for Christos or Christ, which means Anointed
One (see Matthew 1:17). Messiah (Hebrew term) and Christ (Greek term) both mean
“Anointed One” (John 1:41; see also John 4:25). For the Jews, the Messiah was
the same as “Son of God” (see Matthew 26:63-64; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 22:67-70).
Moreover, when the Jews spoke about their Messiah, they were also thinking of
the King from David’s family line who would come to deliver them and establish
God’s Kingdom (see Matthew 1:1, 16-17).
[3]
The Pharisees were deeply devoted to the Holy Scriptures and earnestly desired
a righteous life. Some Pharisees became believers in Jesus, including the
Nicodemus and the apostle Paul (e.g., see John 3:1-5; John 7:50; Acts 15:5;
Acts 23:6; Acts 26:5; Philippians 3:5).
[4]
Jesus did more than seven miracles (e.g., see John 20:30; John 21:25). However,
John identified seven miraculous signs of Jesus to reveal Jesus’ identity and
glory as God’s Son (e.g., see John 1:14; John 2:11; John 17:4). The six other
signs John noted included Jesus turning water into wine (see John 2:1-11);
Jesus healing the royal official’s son (see John 4:46-54); Jesus healing the
diseased man at Bethesda (see John 5:1-15); Jesus feeding the 5,000 (see John
6:1-15); Jesus walking on the water (see John 6:16-21); and Jesus giving sight
to a blind beggar (see John 9:1-41).
[5]
Some critics have noted that the Synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark, and Luke –
do not include Jesus’ greatest miracle with Lazarus’s resurrection. However,
the Synoptic Gospels include other stories of Jesus’ miracle of raising the
dead to life (e.g., see Matthew 9:18-26; Matthew 11:5, Mark 5:22; Luke 7:11-17,
22; Luke 8:41).
[6]
Some biblical scholars have noted that Jesus’ friend Lazarus was the “beloved
one” of Jesus because of John 11:3, 5, 11, 36 referencing Lazarus as His dear,
close, and good friend whom He loved.
[7]
Even though Jesus left Jerusalem and cross the Jordan, many people followed and
believed in Him (see John 10:40-41).
[8]
John’s reference that Lazarus had been dead for four days was significant.
There was a Jewish belief that the soul and spirit stayed near the grave for
three days, hoping to return. By the fourth day, the soul completely leaves the
body. The only hope for Lazarus’s resurrection was God’s divine power.
[9]
Biblical scholars refer to Matthew, Mark, and Luke as the Synoptic Gospels. The
Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell essentially the same storyline of Jesus
that begins with Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee and ends with Jesus’ Passion
story in Jerusalem. However, John’s Gospel does not follow the same storyline
as the Synoptic Gospels. Instead, John’s Gospel supplements Jesus’ public
ministry in Galilee with Jesus’ many activities and miraculous signs in
Jerusalem and Jesus’ attendance of several Jewish festivals. Most of John’s
stories and content are absent from the Synoptic Gospels and unique to John’s
Gospel. Such stories as Jesus' miracle of changing water into wine at Cana in
John 2 and Nicodemus's story in chapter 3 are not included in the Synoptic
Gospels. Also, Jesus’ contact with the Samaritan woman in John 4 and the
resurrection of Lazarus in chapter 11 are all unique to John’s Gospel and not included
in the Synoptic Gospels. The Passion Week – Jesus’ last week before His death
on Calvary’s Cross – is essentially the same in all four Gospel messages.
[10]
In the New Testament, the word Messiah translates the Greek word for Christos
or Christ, which means Anointed One (see Matthew 1:17). Messiah (Hebrew term)
and Christ (Greek term) both mean “Anointed One” (John 1:41; see also John
4:25). For the Jews, the Messiah was the same as “Son of God” (see Matthew
26:63-64; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 22:67-70). Moreover, when the Jews spoke about
their Messiah, they were also thinking of the King from David’s family line who
would come to deliver them and establish God’s Kingdom (see Matthew 1:1,
16-17).
[11]
John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the English Bible, though 1 Thessalonians
5:16 is shorter in the Greek.
[12]
Some scholars have not that chapter 11 of John’s Gospel is a work of art by
John. John revealed Jesus’ human vulnerability who is suffering the loss of His
friend, Lazarus. Also, John revealed Jesus’ divine nature with His power to
raise Lazarus from death.
[13]
The Sanhedrin was the supreme Jewish council. This council had 70 elders and
was patterned after Moses’ 70 elders.
[14]
Interestingly, John’s statement at John 11:53 contradicts Synoptic Gospels’
claim – Matthew, Mark, and Luke. According to the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus'
cleansing of the Temple from greedy religious leaders was the reason the Jewish
leaders finally decided to kill Jesus (e.g., see Matthew 21:12-16; Mark
11:15-18; Luke 19:45-47). Nevertheless, both John and the other Gospels
recognize a series of events eventually sealed Jesus’ arrest and death (e.g.,
see Matthew 21:46; Matthew 26:3-4; Mark 3:6; Mark 12:12; Mark 14:1; John 5:18;
John 7:1, 19, 25, 32; John 8:59; John 10:31).
[15]
The Passover is one of Israel’s three great yearly festivals, the other two
were Pentecost and Tabernacles (see Deuteronomy 16:16). Passover celebrated the
Jews’ deliverance and redemption from Egyptian slavery by God. At Passover, God
“passed over” the Jews’ homes during God’s tenth and final plague against the
Egyptians, and He brought death to the Egyptians’ firstborn. The Passover
celebration took place yearly at the Temple in Jerusalem. This was a weeklong
festival — the Passover was one day, and the Festival of Unleavened Bread
lasted the rest of the week. To learn more about the annual Jewish Passover
celebration, read Exodus 12:14-40; Exodus 23:15; Leviticus 23:4-8; Numbers
28:16-25; and Deuteronomy 16:1-8.
[16]
Jesus obeyed His Father’s commands (e.g., see John 8:55; John 15:10).
