Gospel of John 09.vp

Session 5: Good Shepherd, Resurrect ion and Li fe, the One Who Came to Die 109

7. One must be spiritually prepared in order to understand Jesus’ meaning in his pictures and stories.

a. Matt. 13.13-14 – This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. [14] Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

b. John 6.52 – The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

c. 1 Cor. 2.14 – The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

B. Jesus defines himself as the door (gate), 10.7-10.

1. “I am the door of the sheep,” 10.7.

2. All who preceded Jesus were thieves and robbers , but God’s true followers did not follow them or listen to them, 10.8.

3. Those entering through Jesus will be saved and receive sustenance , 10.9.

4. The thief’s threefold purpose: to steal, kill, and destroy , 10.10a.

5. Jesus’ purpose: I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly , 10.10b.