Book of John

“ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. “

Let me say this concerning my previous study while it is on my mind - when the Bible warns against a pastor who “ scatters “ God’s sheep, this scattering of God’s sheep is not restricted to a church split, dividing a church congregation against itself or causing church attenders to leave a church. When I was a teenager I personally attended a church that resulted in a split…half the congregation got up and walked out. But this split was not over doctrinal issues.

Scattering God’s sheep has to do with church pastoral led and promoted spiritual decline even to the point of spiritual destruction by pastors willingly compromising the gospel of Jesus Christ, willfully changing the gospel of Jesus Christ to satisfy the lust of the “ itching ears “ of people who insatiably seek only what they want to hear in church sermons in today’s hard economic times, searching for pastors who willingly preach “ another gospel “, enticing church attenders to believe this “ other gospel “ rather than believe the true, one and only gospel of Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately here in America today, people generally do not seek for or even want to hear Biblical truth…only the fantasy of “ another gospel.”

Paul said to the Galatians;

“ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. “   Galatians 1:6-8

It is interesting to me that Paul included himself in this warning;

“ But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you “

In other words, just as Peter who walked and lived with Jesus Christ for 3 years and listened to Jesus’ teaching and saw His miracles, left the gospel of Jesus Christ and returned to the Law, Paul knew it could just as easily happen to him.

And my friend, if it happened to Peter, Barnabas, and many followers of Jesus back in the first century, it for sure can and will happen to many of us in today’s modern 21^st century.

A church leader will scatter God’s sheep by compromising the gospel of Jesus Christ, changing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and willfully rejecting Bible verses that is deemed to be offensive in today’s modern evangelical society or is not considered good for business - that is, considered not to be encouraging enough by today’s standards to draw large crowds, especially in today’s troubled economic times.

My friend, if you care about the truth in the Holy Bible, stay with it, even if it is sometimes rough, cutting to the quick, and cage rattling.

The Holy Bible offers encouragement, hope and something to look forward to, but it also warns of the result of wrong doing, disobedience and lack of faith…especially for born again christian followers of Jesus Christ.

I would suggest that you reject a church pastor who leaves out of his sermons the Biblical truth of judgment, the Biblical truth of apostasy, the Biblical truth of reaping what we sow both good and bad, and the Biblical truth that born again christians will be judged for both the good and the bad we have done in this earthly body when we stand before Jesus Christ at the judgment seat of Christ!

The problem here in America is that no evangelical wants to hear these Biblical truths of the Bible they claim to believe in…only the positive verses that they want to hear.

There is no conviction in evangelicalism since the Holy Spirit is not allowed to convict anyone in evangelical church services nowadays.

We cannot be of “ the faith “ and only believe bits and pieces of it…what we only want to believe.

Let’s continue.

“ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: “

Jesus said in His prayer to the Father;

“ And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. “   John 17:3

According to Jesus, eternal life is knowing God. The only way to know God is through Jesus His Son.

Jesus clearly said;

“ I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. “   John 14:6

We either believe Jesus when He said this or we don’t.

It is our choice.

No one can force us to believe this.

Jesus claimed to be with God the Father even before the world was created;

“  And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. “   John 17:5

Jesus even made this declaration;

“ I and my Father are one. “   John 10:30

“ and I lay down my life for the sheep. “

I know Jesus was murdered by evil people that just hated Him because of Him being Him.

Yes, there are human beings that are that perverted…and sick mindedly glory in their perversion.

However, Jesus made it clear to us that technically nobody took His life from Him.

Jesus declared that He willfully gave His life in death both in this statement in the verse of our study and in another place, which we will get to soon in our study of the book of John;

“ Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. “   John 10:17-18

Now listen up!

You can believe what you want but here is what the Holy Bible teaches about God.

God is one God…but somehow our one God is in 3 persons.

Jesus who is God came to earth and became a human being in the most literal sense, even becoming the flesh, blood and bones with soul, spirit and body as any human being has.

Through this part of God’s existence, as a human being Jesus became obedient unto God His Father, even obedient to the death on the cross.

Through His sacrificial death that God put Himself through in being His own Son Jesus for us, He became His own pleasing sacrifice and payment for the sins we as human beings commit.

This is why God’s only plan for our salvation is through His only begotten Son Jesus because through Jesus as God is God’s only way of justifying us enough to be able to enter Heaven when we physically die…but only in response to us resting our inner faith in Jesus as God’s Son, the only way to Heaven.

My friend, Jesus is incredible! He boggles my mind!

I will continue with verse 16 in the next study.

Wayne Brown

“ But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. “

For those of you who are new to my Bible study, I welcome you to read my series on Bible prophecy.

So far, I have completed seventeen parts.

The texts are entitled Revelation - Part One and so forth, through Revelation - Part Seventeen.

Enjoy!

Let’s continue.

Keep in mind that the Greek word “ thuras “ translated “ door “ can also be translated gate, entrance and portal. It means the same thing.

The Greek word “ thuroros “ translated “ porter “ means a gate warden, a watcher.

The Greek text reads -

“ but the one entering through the door shepherd is of the sheep.

To this one the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep the voice of him hears, and his own sheep he calls by name and leads out them.

When his own all he puts forth, in front of them he goes, and the sheep him follows, because they know the voice of him; ”

Obviously, according to the verse of our last study;

“ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. “   John 10:1

Jesus is telling us is a person who is not of “ the faith.”

Jesus interestingly seems for the moment to refer to pastors and shepherds of His flock in His next statement;

“ But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. “  John 10:2

According to God’s own rule, these pastors and shepherds Jesus refers to in verse 2 are appointed by God.

“ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: “  Ephesians 4:11-12

Since it requires entering through Jesus as the “ door “ to be saved and to be of “ the faith “, some of those who enter are appointed to certain positions within the body of Christ…including being a pastor and/or shepherd.

However, starting with verse 3 through verse 11, Jesus refers to only Himself.

In the verses of our study Jesus claims to be the porter and the voice that His sheep recognize;

“ To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.“  John 10:3-5

Jesus reaffirms this later by saying;

“ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: “  John 10:27

Jesus claims to be the door and the Savior of our soul;

“  I am the door of the sheep: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. “  John 10:9

Jesus claims to be the good shepherd;

“  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. “ John 10:11

Starting in verse 12 Jesus refers to pastors and shepherds as hired hands.

“  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. “   John 10:12-13

The Greek words “ ouk on poimen “  translated “ not the shepherd, “  means not being the shepherd.

In other words, not shepherding the flock as they should.

Jesus states a fact that is contrary to the philosophy of ministry in today’s modern evangelical society.

Jesus said clearly;

“ whose own the sheep are not, “

Notice that Jesus said a flake pastor will scatter His sheep when trouble comes;

“ seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. “  John 10:12

Jeremiah even warned pastors who scatter God’s sheep;

“ Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. “  Jeremiah 23:1-2

Isaiah did not have kind words about pastors and shepherds of God’s people;

“ His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. “   Isaiah 56:10-11

Wow! What would Isaiah say in today’s modern evangelical society!

My friend, listen up!

Jesus clearly is saying that He is the good shepherd to those of us who are His sheep.

Church leaders are hired hands that are like employees of any company…they can change in a heartbeat and lead people astray...doctrinally. Not all, but many of them are as fickle as the wind when it comes to what they believe and teach.

Unfortunately, people worship a church pastor as if he or she is some kind of a god.

I personally know people who do.

I personally know people who call their church pastor " father "...something Jesus clearly warned against!

Jesus said clearly;

"  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and ye are all brethren.

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in Heaven.

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. "   Matthew 23:8-10

While God does appoint church leaders, they are not to be worshiped as a god…nor are they to be the object of our faith. We do not put our inner faith in church leaders.

Our faith is to be put in Jesus Christ.

He is the good shepherd of our soul.

He is the door and the porter who opens the door to anyone who enters and is the only One who can save us from our sins.

I will continue with verse 15 in the next study.

Wayne Brown

**********Note from Wayne***************

I came across another Bible study I did years ago...the first 5 verses of John chapter 2.

Enjoy!

Wayne Brown

“ And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. “

Let’s continue.

“ And the third day “

This probably means the third day after Jesus began His ministry.
As we recall, various Jews were sent to inquire of John the Baptist who he is.
Then the next day after this John the Baptist sees Jesus and declares;
“ Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. “  John 1:29

This was the day John the Baptist saw the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus as confirmation from God which person is the Messiah he was sent to announce to the people.
On this day Jesus had not begun His actual ministry as of yet.
It was the next day that would be counted as Day one when John the Baptist,
this time with 2 of his disciples said again;
“ Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. “   John 1:36-37

As we recall these 2 disciples were John, the writer of this book we are studying, and
Andrew, the brother of Peter.
In turn Andrew brings his brother Peter to Jesus.

This is when Jesus actually began His ministry.
Day 2 Jesus left the Jordan area excitedly to find Philip and then Philip in turn brings Nathanael to Jesus.
Let us remember that these Jews believed without question that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One of God, the Son of God, the Lamb of God. As with us today however, these disciple’s faith was later challenged by circumstances that were so depressing that some of them began to question if Jesus was the Messiah or not.

We must not kid ourselves… if this could happen to these men who walked with Jesus for 3 years and heard Him speak and witnessed the miracles He performed abundantly from day to day for 3 years, then our faith today can certainly be challenged as well, as Jesus already told us it would.

Mark later said;

“ Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. “ Mark 16:14
Always remember, our inheritance of eternal salvation in heaven hinges on our continuance in “ the faith “.
This is one reason Paul warns us to examine ourselves to see if we are in “ the faith “.

If we think because we were once saved that we can live like the world in the pleasures of sin and still keep our inner faith in “ the faith “, then we better think twice.

“ there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. “

Day 3 Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding festival, which sometimes lasted a week back then.

Jesus’ mother was there and she was concerned about the fact they had no wine.
The Greek word “oinou” translated “wine” can be interpreted to mean either unfermented or fermented juice from the grape meaning either no alcohol in the juice or could have alcohol in the juice.
One Bible commentator who does not believe this wine was fermented expresses the idea that the meaning of the word “oinou” has to be interpreted within the context of moral circumstances.
To say that the “wine” in this particular wedding festival was non-alcoholic is only conjecture.

“ Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. “

Notice Jesus calls His mother “woman”.
Many people have a problem with Jesus calling His mother “woman”. In their minds they cannot imagine salvation without Jesus’ mother involved.

Jesus might have called her " woman " to show that she is not to be as revered as many people make her up to be.
On one occasion when people were telling Jesus that His mother and family wanted Him He said;

“ And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. “   Mark 3:33-35

Many people cannot associate salvation with Jesus alone because according to their doctrine Mary the mother of Jesus is also required for salvation. As a matter of fact according to many people, Mary became God, making her greater than her Son Jesus, in being what they call the “ mother of God “.

Jesus knew in the future there would be people that would come about who would put emphasis on His mother that would make Him alone not sufficient for salvation.

When Jesus said He is the only way to Heaven, He did not say He and His mother.

He meant only Himself as being the only way to Heaven.

“ mine hour is not yet come. “

It is not sure what Jesus was referring to here about His hour has not yet come. He was already beginning His ministry having started the process of organizing His disciples.

“ His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. “

These were Mary’s last recorded words. She knew in her heart that Jesus is special and told the people to obey Him, and to do whatever He said.
Even Mary knew that Jesus has the words of eternal life. It is too bad most people since then do not believe like Mary did. She knew Jesus is enough for salvation.

It is sad that most human beings refuse to believe Jesus is enough for salvation.

People who add anyone or anything to Jesus as a requirement to be saved and in order to make it to Heaven...are not saved and on their way to Heaven, according to Jesus!

I will continue with verse 6 in the next study.

Wayne Brown

************Note from Wayne********************

I was reading through my old study from many years ago on John 2:6-11 and thought I would let you read it.

Enjoy!

Wayne Brown

John 2:6-11

“ And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.
And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew
the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when
men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. “

Let’s continue.

As you recall in our last study of verses 1-5 we learned that Jesus’ mother Mary knew how important her Son is and knew He could bail them out of a predicament at this wedding feast.
We also saw that Jesus shows Mary His mother no preferential treatment just because she is His mother.

We should learn from this.

Rather, Jesus said His true “family” is anyone who does the will of the Father in Heaven.

“ And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying
of the Jews, “

The Greek word “ katharismon” translated “purifying” means a ceremony of cleansing
or washing before and after meals as a custom of the Jews.
The 6 water pots were probably used to wash hands before eating.

“containing two or three firkins apiece. “

The Greek word “metretes” translated “firkins” means measures and actually in the Greek reads - “metretes duo e treis” meaning in English…measures 2 or 3.
“ Metretes “ is a measurer which is a species of measure used for liquids, containing 72 sextarii or slightly less than 9 gallons. These 6 water pots each would hold about 9 gallons of water.
It is interesting that Jesus used the very pots the Jews used for washing their hands before
eating in their ‘cleansing ceremony’, that might have been a type of religious observance
as well for the wine He was about to create that they would be drinking from.

I’m not sure if Jesus meant anything by doing it this way or not but to me it is interesting that He would use the same water pots.

“Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. “

These people knew something unique was about to happen but probably not sure what, so they took advantage of the situation and filled those pots to the top.

If I had been there, I would have done the same.

“And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.
And they bare it. “

Can you imagine what was going through the heads of these people just after pouring ordinary water in these pots and Jesus telling them to serve it to the governor to drink? This was water from the pots they used for washing hands.

“When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not
whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew the governor of the
feast called the bridegroom,
And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and
when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good
wine until now. “

When Jesus turned the water into wine is not for sure because by the time it reached
the mouth of the governor of the feast it was for sure wine.
The Greek word “methusthosin” translated “ have well drunk ” means intoxicated, drunken.
While there are Bible commentators who will try to tell you that the Greek word “methusko” has 2 meanings - one being to become drunk and the other to be satisfied from drinking without being intoxicated… this is not true. There are not 2 meanings for the Greek word “methusko”.
The actual form usage of “ methusko “ in this verse being “methusthosin” actually means to become drunken and intoxicated.

There are not 2 meanings for the Greek word “oinou” either.

“and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;)"

The people who took the water to the governor knew Jesus was the one who turned the water into wine and when... the exact moment He did, since they were carrying it.

“ This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; "

The Greek word “ semeion” translated “miracles” means signs.
The Greek phrase “archen ton semeion” actually means beginning of 'the signs'.
What is meant here in this verse is that Jesus began on this day in Cana to confirm His being sent by God with 'the signs', this being the first sign.
The Bible says this was Jesus’ first sign or miracle.

“and his disciples believed on him. “

Again Jesus’ disciples put their faith in Him.
If you are a born again believer, which means you are an adopted son or daughter of God by faith, be happy for this.
The world is searching for happiness.
If you are born again into the family of God you will know in your heart what your purpose for living is. You do not need to go out and spend $24.95 on a book to tell you what your purpose for being here is.
A person who does not know Jesus might buy such a book, along with all the other self-help books that are out there but a born again christian who is saved should already know in his or her heart what the purpose for being here is.

One can find answers in the book known as the Holy Bible and in having a one on one relationship with Jesus.
If you have a personal relationship with Jesus you will know that your relationship with Jesus is the purpose of existence.
My dad would say…” Life’s the pits and then you die. “ It does not have to be that way but I certainly understand what he meant.  LOL
Jesus even said that life has its daily hardships and we should take each day at a time because there are enough troubles in one day, we don’t need to add to it by worrying about tomorrow.
This present life with all its troubles will help us appreciate Heaven all the more when we get there.
I cannot imagine not having Jesus in my life. I was saved at a very young age and I guess
because of this I never needed to know what my purpose driven life was all about. I just never needed to know what my purpose in life was because I knew Jesus and knew He lived in my heart from the moment I knelt at the altar in church and prayed and felt Him come inside me and He was as real as holding my wife in my arms and feeling her love and that was enough for me just in knowing this. I did not need to know anything else. I never lived a perfect sinless life but because I was born again and Jesus lived inside me I never felt lost, not knowing what on earth I was here for and where I was headed and never needed to know what my purpose of existence is.
I was saved when I was a child and lived with one foot in Heaven and the other in the world much of my life. No matter how sinful I became though, I never renounced my faith in Jesus.
But I also knew that I could not keep that up for too long because a born again christian
living in sin and 'keeping the faith' is not a good mixture. Something will have to eventually change…either he will come to repentance and change his lifestyle or he will change his faith and follow other gods. Sometimes I would go to the nightclubs on Saturday night and then go to church the very next morning.

This is why I teach so much against a born again christian living in sin and come against sin in the church so much because all those wasted years I was living without
God’s best for me. God will not fully bless us if we are living in disobedience unto Him. It is hard to live in faith when we are living in disobedience… it just doesn’t work. Answers to prayer are hindered when our heart is not right with God.

He is tolerant, patient and loving yes, but He will not give us His best in our life if we choose to live in sin.

Most born again christians turn to books other than the Bible to find answers. Their relationship with the Lord has grown cold and the Bible is no longer enough for them…nor is Jesus enough for them anymore.
They feel like the Lord is not listening to them anymore but the truth is they are the ones who have left their “ first love “ which was Jesus, when they first got saved.
The Bible is not enough anymore for these christians who have grown cold.
But if you are saved and not habitually practicing sin as a lifestyle, then you can have confidence in taking life by the tail and living life to its fullest, not as the world teaches living life to its fullest but as the Bible teaches it.

Jesus said He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
When we pray we can have confidence that God will hear us and give us the desires of our heart if our heart is clean before Him and if our heart does not condemn us.
As a child of God we have authority over satan even though he is the god of this world.
Greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world…remember this verse?
We do not have to live in defeat over worrying about losing our job. Someday we will be our employer’s boss.

Jesus promised this!

And until then Jesus will take care of His own.
We always knew our parents would take care of us when we were kids and I hope your childhood was as good as mine. I always knew mom and dad would come through.

We can have this same comfort with our Lord, knowing He will always come through. Never in my life has the Lord failed to come through for me.

While I was a fool He was wise. I reaped for my sinful lifestyle yes, but I never skipped a meal, never had to sleep out on the streets, and always had clothes.

He never let me win the lottery all the times I asked Him to help me and for obvious reasons, but He always met my needs and He still does.
If our heart is clean before Him and does not condemn us, He will do more for us than meet our daily needs.
Jesus promised us that the miracles He did we can do and can do more.

I will continue with verse 12 in the next study.

Wayne Brown

“ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. “

Let’s continue.

 “ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. “

To understand this parable we must stay with the focus of attention Jesus is drawing us to…which happens to be Himself.

The “ door “ Jesus refers to here He later declares to be Himself.

“ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. “  John 10:9

The “ sheepfold, “ is quite obviously those who follow Jesus.

Jesus often refers to people who follow Him as sheep.

“ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: “   John 10:27

So, Jesus is presenting Himself as not only the “ door “ but also as the Shepherd of His sheep.

Peter said;

“ For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.  “  1 Peter 2:25

The Greek word “ poimen “ often translated “ shepherd “ can be translated either as pastor or shepherd and is understood as both in the same in the religious realm.

As Paul describes the position of a church leader as a pastor appointed by God;

“  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; “  Ephesians 4:11

Jesus describes the person in this position in this parable as a hired employee;

“ But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. “ John 10:12-13

The Greek word “ misthotos “ translated “ hireling “ means wage worker, hired servant and can be referred to either in a good or bad sense.

In reality, in a sense we as followers of Jesus Christ are all wage workers.

Jesus clearly said;

“ When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. “   Luke 14:12-14

Jesus also described the Kingdom of God as in the sense of conducting business with those of us who follow Him;

“  For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. “ Matthew 20:1-16

Continuing on with the verse of our study today…

“ but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. “

Here, Jesus admits there will be people who will try to get into Heaven any way other than through Jesus Himself.

Jesus said;

“ And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. “       Matthew 11:12

“ The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. “    Luke 16:16

The Greek word “ biazetai “ translated “ presseth  “ means the same as in Matthew 11:12, to force violently.

What Jesus is getting at in all this is that people who will not believe Him to be the only way to Heaven and will rather choose to attempt to go to Heaven through their own means - that is, believing anyone or anything but Jesus, according to Jesus is an act of violence.

Attempting to enter Heaven by any means other than Jesus, Jesus describes this as a violent attempt to enter Heaven.

In other words, anything outside of Jesus as a means for a person to enter Heaven, any faith or belief other than in Jesus for a person as a means to enter Heaven, this person is considered by Jesus to be;

“ the same is a thief and a robber. “

Yes, Jesus Himself said;

“ but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. “

Paul stays with this teaching of Jesus by saying;

“ And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.  “  2 Timothy 2:5

To sum all this up, everyone wants to go to Heaven. Everyone has his or her own plan how to get to Heaven after physical death.

One man wanted his shotgun to be buried with him in his casket after he died.

His reasoning behind this was…” If saint Peter does not let me into Heaven, I'll blast my way in. “

But believing Jesus and His claim to be the only way to Heaven, like this man and his shotgun, most people will not do.

This is why Jesus said;

“ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. “    Matthew 7:13-14

I will continue with verse 2 in the next study.

Wayne Brown