Daily Devotions
John
The background of the teachings of Jesus
Text: John 10 : 1- 21
THE BACKGROUND OF THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS
If only the Jews were to check with the Scriptures, they would realize indeed that Jesus spoke to them from there! He had always maintained that His doctrines were not His. His messages came from His Father. His messages were drawn from the Scriptures directly. Let us recall what Jesus said on the subject of His teachings.
“You search the Scriptures, for in them
You think you have eternal life; and these are they
which testify of Me.
but you are not willing to come to Me that
you may have life.”
John 5:39-40
“It is written in the prophets,
‘And they shall all be taught by God.’
Therefore everyone who has heard and learned
from the Father comes to Me.”
John 6:45
“My doctrine is not Mine,
but His who sent Me.
If anyone wills to do His will,
he shall know concerning the doctrine,
whether it is from God, or whether I speak
on My own authority.
He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory,
but he who seeks the glory of the One who sent
Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.”
John 7:16-18
Several insights were gained from what Jesus said concerning those who rejected Him.
1. They really did not believe in the Scriptures, even if there were knowledge of the content.
2. They did not even know God personally even if they did know about Him theoretically and religiously.
3. They were not walking in the will of God, and thus could not go beyond the most superficial level of understanding.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO TEACH THE WORD OF GOD
We must stand amazed at the spirit of perseverance Jesus displayed in His teaching ministry. Despite rejection after rejection, He sought to teach the multitudes, including the recalcitrant Jews who debated Him at every point. Jesus now chose as His topic, the theme of being a good shepherd. This topic would allow Him to introduce Himself as The Good Shepherd.
THE DOCTRINE OF SHEPHERDING
This doctrine was not unknown to the Jews. The famous 23rd psalm written by the Psalmist David described God as Shepherd.
“The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His Name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:1-3
David was not the only person who wrote about God as his Shepherd. The prophet Isaiah also spoke about how God would shepherd His flock.
“He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young.”
Isaiah 40:11
There is another telling passage that we must make reference to, as we study what Jesus taught concerning Himself as the Good Shepherd. Ezekiel the prophet also spoke on the subject of shepherding! He drew a picture, a sharp contrast between good and bad shepherds.
The rulers of ancient Israel were sometimes called “shepherds”. These were kings, princes, priests etc. People who led others were commonly called “shepherds”. (The word “pastor” comes from the root word “shepherd”).
To those who were bad shepherds, the Lord had these words to say.
“Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds:
‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves!
Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?”
Ezekiel 34:2
God portrayed Himself as the Good Shepherd, in contrast to the wicked ones.
“For thus says the Lord God:
Indeed, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.
As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among
His scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep…”
Ezekiel 34:11-12
Did the Jews understand what Jesus was saying to them as He began His discourse on the subject of shepherding? He had come to seek His sheep!