Scripture Snippets [Insights from John]

 

CHAPTER 10

• In this chapter Jesus starts off by saying that robbers and thieves climb over the fence to get into the sheepfold instead of coming in by the gate (v.1). Jesus goes on to say that He is the gate to the sheep (v.7). It makes me think of all the religious teachers and spiritual philosophy that comes our way on a daily basis. We must ask ourselves is it coming through to us through the gate (Jesus) or is it  “jumping over the wall” to capture our interest and attention?

• The purpose of the thief (Satan) is to kill, steal, and destroy.  The purpose of the shepherd (Jesus) is to bring life, life more abundantly. (v.10)

• Our salvation is secure. No on can snatch us out of the hand of Jesus, the shepherd because God gave us to Jesus (v.29).

• Jesus mentions at least twice, to consider His actions not just His words (v. 25, 37-38)

CHAPTER 12

• V. 11 states that because on account of him [Lazarus], many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus. This indicates that because of Lazarus being raised from the dead, people were believing in Jesus. So doesn’t this contradict the story in Luke 16 where the Rich Man asks Abraham,

30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”?

One thing to consider is that the passage said the priests were convinced to now kill Lazarus too because of this event (v.10). So this event reflects more a situation of a heart issue and whether that would cause a person to believe and have faith or to turn away and rage. In the Luke 16 parable, Jesus was describing a heart issue of someone who won’t believe, even if they see a miracle. 

Additionally, just because someone has a surface level belief, it does not mean they also have a repentant faith. It’s possible some believed, like the rocky soil (Matt 13:5) but did not continue in their belief.

• It’s interesting to note that in vv. 42 and 43, we find out that some of the Jewish leaders also believed but because they loved human praise more than praise from God they wouldn’t admit it. I believe from other passage, Nicodemus (John 3) and Joseph of Arimathea (John 19) were secret disciples. 

Q. So how does that kind of example seem to comport with Matthew 11:33, which says that, “But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”?

A. Technically, they never denied him from what we read, they just were not very open to telling people. Later on, we see them doing things that would have shown their allegiance to Jesus. Nicodemus defended Jesus when he was speaking the Jewish council of leaders (Jn 7:50–51) and publicly helped with His burial and Joseph laid his reputation on the line when he asked Pilate to bury Jesus’ body.