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THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVES LIFE
A. Introduction: We are working on a new series about why Jesus came into this world, according to the New
Testament. The New Testament was written by eyewitnesses of Jesus, or close associates of eyewitnesses.
1. In the last two lessons we looked at a specific statement Jesus made about why He came to earth. It was
recorded by John, one of Jesus’ earliest and closest followers. Jesus said: I am come that they might
have life and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10, KJV).
a. In some Christian circles today, this verse is interpreted to mean that Jesus came to give us a great
life in this life—a problem-free life of success and prosperity where all our dreams come true.
b. We pointed out in the last two lessons that that is not what Jesus meant or what the first Christians
heard. When we examine Jesus’ words in context, we find that He wasn’t talking about the quality
of our life in this life. He was talking about eternal life, the uncreated life in God Himself.
2. Almighty God created human beings to become His sons and daughters by partaking of Him—His
Spirit, His life—through faith and trust in Him. Eph 1:4-5
a. However, all human beings have chosen independence from God through sin. Because of our sin,
all human beings are cut off from God, who is Life and the source of all life. Paul, another
eyewitness, wrote: We are “dead, doomed forever because of (our) many sins” (Eph 2:1, NLT),
b. Because of sin, this world (humanity and the earth itself) is infused with a curse of death: When
Adam (the first man) sinned, sin entered the entire human race. His sin spread death throughout all
the world, so that everything began to grow old and die, for all sinned (Rom 5:12, TLB).
1. Mankind’s problem is not lack of success or abundance in this life. Mankind’s biggest
problem is that we’ve all failed in our moral obligation to obey our Creator. We are guilty of
sin before a holy God, cut off from God (dead in sin), and there is nothing we can do about it.
2. The Second Person of the Trinity (Jesus) took on a human nature (or incarnated) and was born
into this world so that He could die as a sacrifice for sin: For only as a human being could he
die, and only by dying could he break…the power of death…and deliver those who have lived
all their lives as slaves to the fear of death (Heb 2:14-15, NLT).
c. We have more to say tonight about what it means that Jesus came to give us life more abundantly.
B. Jesus’ statement about abundant life is found in the Gospel of John. John stated that he wrote his gospel “so
that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life
(zoe)” (John 20:31, NLT).
1. The New Testament was originally written in Greek. The Greek word translated life is zoe. John used
the word zoe thirty-three times in reference to the life that Jesus gives (including in John 10:10).
a. Zoe means life as God has it in Himself, and life as Jesus has in Himself—absolute or perfect
uncreated life. Through faith in Jesus, men and women become partakers of this life. John 5:26
b. John opened his gospel with this statement: In him (the Word, Jesus) was life (zoe) and the life
(zoe) was the light of men (John 1:4, KJV). John called Jesus the light of men because He brings
true knowledge of God, who is the source of all life—created and uncreated.
2. John next used zoe when he quoted Jesus’ words: God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (zoe) (John 3:16, KJV).
a. Note that Jesus contrasted life (zoe) with perishing. The Greek word that is translated perish means
to destroy fully, to lose, or be deprived of. To perish means to die physically, but it also means to
be eternally separated from God who is life (zoe).
b. There’s no greater destruction that can come to a human than to be lost to your created purpose,
which is to partake of God’s Spirit and life and live with Him forever as His son or daughter.
1. Jesus died to bring an end to both death of the body and eternal separation from God, by
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giving us life. Paul wrote: (Jesus) abolished death and brought life (zoe) and immortality to
light through the gospel (His death, burial, and resurrection) (II Tim 1:10, NLT).
2. Jesus came into the world to die as a sacrifice for sin and make it possible for human beings to
to receive eternal life into their being right now (God’s Spirit and life). And, He came to open
the way for all who believe on Him to live with God forever in His home (everlasting life).
c. There is a present and a future aspect to eternal life. When we believe on Jesus, God indwells us by
His life and Spirit now, in this life. Ultimately, He’ll give life to our bodies and make them
incorruptible and immortal—beyond the touch of corruption and death.
1. Paul, in the context of resurrection of the dead, wrote: The last enemy to be destroyed is death
(I Cor 15:26, NLT)…Then shall come to pass what is written: Death is swallowed up in life”
(I Cor 15:54, ESV).
2. Paul was quoting a passage written by the prophet Isaiah about what we call the second coming
of Jesus: In that day he (the Lord Almighty) will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of
death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will
wipe away all tears (Isa 25:7-8, NLT).
3. Last week, to help us get the context for what Jesus meant by the life He has come to give, we looked at
how Jesus used the phrase eternal and everlasting life leading up to His statement in John 10:10.
a. Jesus said that the time is coming when the dead will hear His voice and live (zao) (John 5:25). He
told a woman at a well that the life He gives becomes an unending source of life (zoe) within a
person (John 4:14). The Lord told people that if anyone drinks from Him, rivers of living (zao)
water will flow out from within them (John 7:37-39). Jesus called Himself the Bread of life (zoe)
who takes away hunger and thirst (John 6:35).
b. Words fall short when we try to explain and fully understand how a transcendent Being (Almighty
God) interacts with finite beings. But through these word pictures, Jesus conveyed the idea that He
will indwell those who believe on Him, and by His indwelling life and Spirit, abolish death in them.
C. Most of John’s gospel focuses on the six months leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. In that
period of time, the religious leadership of Israel became increasingly hostile toward Jesus for, among other
things, healing on the Sabbath and calling God His Father. John 5:16-18; 7:1; 8:59; 10:31; 11:53; etc.
1. In the fall of AD 29 (less than six months before the crucifixion), Jesus went up to Jerusalem to celebrate
the annual Feast of Tabernacles. At the feast He made this statement publicly: I am the Light of the
world (John 8:12). Then, on the Sabbath Day, Jesus healed a man blind since birth (John 9).
a. The leadership accused Jesus of making false claims about Himself and said He had a devil (John
8:13; 48). The Pharisees excommunicated the man Jesus healed of blindness and called Jesus a
sinner and a blasphemer, saying that His power was from Satan (John 9:16; 34).
1. At that point Jesus told the Parable of the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18). Through the
parable, Jesus presented Himself as Israel’s True Shepherd in contrast to the religious rulers.
2. They were false shepherds who don’t care for the sheep and use them for their own purposes.
Jesus made His statement about bringing abundant life in the context of this parable.
b. We’ll say more about the parable in a moment. The point for now is that given the setting in which
Jesus made His statement, it makes no sense that He suddenly turned around and told the crowd that
they can have a vacation home on the Sea of Galilee because He’s come to give them abundant life.
2. Jesus then left Jerusalem and went to Bethabara to preach the gospel. About mid-January, His friend
Lazarus fell ill. Jesus remained in Bethabara until Lazarus died (possibly around the 18th of January).
a. Lazarus lived in Bethany, a town about two miles from Jerusalem. Jesus went to Bethany and
raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus used the word eternal life (zoe) in connection with this miracle.
1. In a conversation with Lazarus’ sister Martha, Jesus told her: Your brother will rise again, to
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which she answered: Yes, everyone will rise on resurrection day. John 11:24
2. Jesus responded: I am the resurrection and the life (zoe). Those who believe in me, even
though they die like everyone else, will live (zao) again. They are given eternal life (zao) for
believing in me and will never perish (be separated from God) (John 11:25, NLT).
b. Because of this miraculous resurrection, many people in the area believed on Jesus as the Messiah,
and the Pharisees made plans to kill not just Jesus, but Lazarus as well. John 12:10-11
3. Just before Passover in spring of AD 30, Jesus entered Jerusalem for the final time, riding on a donkey’s
colt in fulfillment of prophecy as to how Israel’s King would come to them. John 12:12-14; Zech 9:9
a. Later that week, on Thursday, Jesus celebrated the Passover meal (the Last Supper) with His twelve
apostles. John’s gospel gives a lengthy account of things Jesus said to them as He prepared the
apostles for the fact that He was soon going to leave them.
b. Note some key points from Jesus’ words that relate to our topic. Jesus told them that He was going
to His Father’s home to prepare a place for them so that they could be with Him forever. John 14:1-5
1. When the apostles said that they didn’t know where He was going or how they would get there.
Jesus responded: I am the way, the truth, and the life (zoe) (John 14:6, NLT).
2. Jesus is the way because, through His death, He will open the way for them (and all who believe
on Him) to come to God. Jesus is the truth because, since He Himself is God, He is the perfect
revelation of God. Jesus is the life because He is the one who gives life (zoe) to men.
3. Jesus told them that He would not leave them alone, promising that He and the Father would
send the Holy Spirit to them—For he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as
orphans; I will come to you (John 14:17-18, NIV).
A. Jesus was assuring them that just as my Father indwells me as I stand before you tonight I
will indwell you when we send the Holy Spirit to dwell in you.
B. Jesus further told them: When I am raised to life you will know that I am my Father, and
you are in me, and I am in you (John 14:20, NLT).
4. Jesus also made some specific comments about His provision for them in this life. We could
do an entire lesson on those statements (another time). Just note that neither have anything to
do with an abundant (prosperous, successful) life in this life.
A. John 14:27—I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give
isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled and afraid (NLT).
B. John 16:33—I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you
will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world
(NLT).
c. Just before Jesus and the apostles went to the garden where He would soon be arrested, He prayed a
prayer to the Father: Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to
you…He gives eternal life (zoe) to each one you have given him (John 17:1-2, NLT).
1. Then Jesus said: And this is the way to eternal life (zoe)—to know you, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth (John 17:3, NLT).
2. Eternal life is more than endless existence. All human beings will exist forever. Eternal life
is communion and relationship with Almighty God. Eternal life is knowing God, partaking
of His Spirit, His uncreated life, and living with Him forever.
4. Over the next few hours Jesus will be arrested, tried, and sentenced to death. His apostle will scatter in
terror and seeming defeat. But three days later, the tomb will be found empty. Jesus went through
death and came out of death, for them and for us. Eternal life is now available to all who believe.
a. Eph 2:5—But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead
because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (NLT).
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b. On resurrection day, when Jesus appeared to His apostles for the first time, note what He did—He
spoke to them and said, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Then he
breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:21-22, NLT). Just as He
promised three days earlier, Jesus imparted His Spirit and life (zoe) to these men.
D. Conclusion: Let’s briefly revisit the Parable of the Good Shepherd and get some additional insight into the
life that Jesus came to give. Jesus told this parable to make the point that He was Israel’s True Shepherd.
1. John 10:1-5—I assure you, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through
the gate (or door), must surely be a thief and a robber. For a shepherd enters through the gate. The gate
keeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by
name and leads them out. After he gathers his own flock, he walks ahead of them and they follow him
because they recognize his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they
don’t recognize his voice (NLT).
a. Sheepfolds were well built enclosures that were very difficult to get into. Flocks were placed there
in part to keep robbers out. A gatekeeper monitored the gate.
1. When Jesus told this parable He was near the Temple. where sheep were kept in folds to be sold
for sacrifice. Several flocks were enclosed in one fold. Gatekeepers guarded the gate, and not
only could thieves not enter, shepherds couldn’t enter. The gatekeeper let the shepherds in.
2. A shepherd would stand at the gate, call his sheep, and they would follow him out of the gate.
Sheep recognize and follow the voice of their shepherd,
b. The crowd didn’t understand what Jesus meant, so He explained the parable: I am the gate for the
sheep. All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the sheep did not listen to
them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they
will find green pasture. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give
life in all its fullness. I am the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep (v7-11, NLT).
2. There are many great points for us in Jesus’ words. But He was making a specific point to a specific
group of people on that day two thousand years ago. That historical context helps us properly
understand what Jesus meant by the words abundant life in John 10:10
a. Jesus’ point was: The Pharisees and scribes cannot give you salvation from sin. My purpose is to
give you life. I will lay down my life for the sheep (v11; 15; 17-18) so that you will not perish.
1. Jesus said: I am the gate or door to salvation. If you come through me, you will be saved from
sin. Through me you will have everlasting life. John 3:16
2. Those who come through me will find green pastures (John 10:9, NLT). Jesus’ audience knew
Ps 23, which was written by a shepherd (David) to describe the Lord’s care for His sheep.
Note one line: (The Shepherd) makes me lie down in green pastures. Ps 23:2
3. Sheep will not lie down unless they feel safe and secure. Jesus’ audience understood green
pastures to mean a place of cool and refreshing rest and safety.
b. No one who heard Jesus speak that day would have taken the words abundant life to mean we’re
going to get new cars and job promotions. They heard the words as Jesus defined them.
1. John 10:27-28—My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give
them eternal life (zoe), and they will never perish (NLT).
2. No one in the audience that day understood the full scope of Jesus’ words. But it will become
clear to them once Jesus dies and rises from the dead.
3. Jesus came to bring eternal life. Here’s a summary of what Jesus said about eternal life: I am that life.
If you believe on me, I will indwell you and I will give you life. I will quench your hunger and thirst. I
will give you peace in this life and unending life with me in the life to come. Much more next week!!