“THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND!”

 John 10:1-6                    (ESV)

I Am the Good Shepherd

“[1] “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. [2] But HE WHO enters by the door is the SHEPHERD of the sheep. [3] To HIM the GATEKEEPER opens. The sheep hear HIS VOICE, and HE calls HIS OWN sheep by name and leads them out. [4] When HE has brought out all HIS OWN, HE goes before them, and the sheep follow HIM, for they know HIS VOICE. [5] A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” [6] This figure of speech JESUS used with them, but “THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND” what HE was saying to them.”

JESUS was speaking to a group of Pharisees, people that were astute in the traditions and culture of the Jewish religious community.  They believed that keeping “the law” was essential for holy living.  “THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND” that their “laws” and “rules” were NOT doing anything to protect themselves!  Instead, they thought they were “better than everyone else” and that they would be first when THE MESSIAH came!!  The Pharisees were some of the ones who actually had JESUS “put to death”, but the death could not hold my SAVIOR!!!

Am I any better than the Pharisees???  I go to church, participate in the Sunday School lesson, help with serving others, and whatever else I can do.  But if JESUS were walking by, would HE see my “good deeds” as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6)?  

Romans 3:10 says “as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;”!  The ONLY HOPE I (or any of us) have is to CLAIM the BLOOD of JESUS when we stand at the JUDGMENT SEAT!!!  I DON’T KNOW WHY JESUS LOVED ME (Andre’ Crouch), but PRAISE HIM HE CHOSE me to be a slave for HIS GLORY!!!  That might be difficult to fathom, but JESUS is all I can claim!!!  We who are CHOSEN can SEE our eternity before us, but “THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND” are the most common people around!!!!