John 10

Good Shepherd

John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Only Jesus is the door, the entrance to Gods family. You cannot climb up another way, by self effort, by evolving, by membership in a church or baptism, by reincarnation, if there was such a thing and there is not. Jesus is the door.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Strait, refers to a narrow, tight place. We cannot enter the gate with worldly baggage.

but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

If anyone teach another way, he is false, he is stealing the truth that God has revealed. He is by will or by ignorance a servant of satan, the prince of thieves.

Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

If your heart is with Jesus, then you will be safe from thieves. He cannot steal your heavenly treasure. What belongs to God, the thief cannot have. We are safe in the hands of God. (John 10:29)

John 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Spiritual thieves, do not go through the way to heaven, for Jesus is the way. Jesus has access to heaven and the kingdom of God. Through Jesus we are allowed into God's kingdom family. He is the door and the way to the Father's kingdom. He is the shepherd who cares for us and goes before us.

John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

The Porter allows access to Jesus by the sheep. Who brings us to Jesus? The Father and the Holy Spirit.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

Holy Ghost power for a new life.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

John 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
John 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Among animals, sheep are some of the more ignorant creations. They cannot care for themselves. They need a shepherd. God has given them the ability to know the voice of their shepherd. Do we know the voice of Jesus? Can we pick him out of a crowd of proclaimers of the way to God? It is important that we not be deceived by false shepherds. The sheep are not fooled, and the are dumb animals. If we are so much more gifted, how is it that so many follow after a lying shepherd with a different gospel? Paul addressed this subject to those who were following the Judaizers, who insisted that Gentiles be circumcised and follow the customs of the law.

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

To know the voice of the good shepherd, you must spend time with him. To know his voice we must know the word he speaks in the Bible. Jesus is the Word of God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

We are to flee from strangers speaking another way. Those who knock on your door with another gospel, we are not to listen to them.

2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2 John 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

This is important. Many false ideas come in pleasing ways. Attractive well dressed people, people with charm and charisma, speaking of love for you, but with another message. Do not give them access to your ears or to your home. Immediately counter their words with the truth of God's word. No need to debate or argue. Depart from them, love is in truth, walking in his commandments and believing on Jesus Christ. The love of God is in his Son, Jesus the only begotten Son of God, and in obedience to his word.

John 10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Who was Jesus speaking too? Let's go back and see.

John 9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

He was speaking to the unbelieving Pharisees, the healed blind man and those who were assembled around Jesus everywhere that he went. The pharisees were blind to the truth, so Jesus spoke the truth in parables. Those who are of God will understand.

Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
John 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

Jesus again speaks as the way to God as the door, this time he adds that he himself is the door. The way is not broad as many teach. Even some professing Christians say that all worship the same God and that there are many ways to God. No, only Jesus is the door, the entrance to heaven. Why so? Only Jesus has paid the price, He has bought our ticket to glory. By his blood spilled for our sins, we are forgiven, by believing in him, as the way to God.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Those who teach "tolerance" are very intolerant of our message of Jesus, the only way to God and forgiveness. In truth, all religions will come to God at the judgment. Who will judge them? God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ shall judge them by His word.

Acts 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly;
Acts 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Again, Paul speaks as Jesus as the judge of the world. Jesus is all things to us. By his grace we go in and out in this life, without his grace we cannot receive all that God has intended for us. Some stay in the door which is Christ which is our salvation, this is our identity in Him. Yet, many do not go forth in all that he has for them. The pasture is to be found. In the pasture is the abundance of God. His food, the word, and his work and meaning for our lives. We are called to fulfill his purpose for us. One purpose all are called to do, is to be witnesses of our Lord in the world.

John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
John 4:36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
John 4:37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
John 4:38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The thief, is the devil, his evil work is shown here. He comes as a thief, to steal away those created in God's image to follow him into everlasting destruction. He entices you into sin and through sin comes death. He does not love you, although he brings a message of love. He wants to kill you. Many have despaired when the thief entered and have been killed. He wishes to destroy your soul with himself in hell.

Jesus came that you might have life, more abundant life now, and forevermore with him.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

No one loves you like Jesus, not any person in this world. He gave his life for you, so that you may have life.

Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

We share the good news, pointing to Jesus, the door to God. He is our Good Shepherd who gave his life for us.

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

A Shepherd's heart

John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

A shepherd who has no heart for the sheep. He may be a shepherd in it for the money, for the honor given him, or for the power. But he is to be a spiritual protector of the sheep. The devil is a spirit, so the shepherd must defend the sheep with spiritual weapons. What are these? The sword of the spirit is the word of God.

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Pray in the Spirit, in the Holy Ghost, with words of understanding and groanings that cannot be uttered.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Often we do not know how to pray for another's need. God knows, he is the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep.

The hireling sees the wolf coming -- a shepherd should be spiritually aware of God's presence and the presence of the enemy. We all like the presence of God, but when the enemy comes do we run? If the shepherd runs, not taking spiritual authority over the wolf, then the wolf divides and scatters the sheep.

Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Those who know Jesus as God the Son, have been given his authority. This is not for Peter only, or the apostles, it is for those who know Jesus and are known of him. Of course if the shepherd does not know Jesus, he will flee. He is a false shepherd and has no spiritual authority. He is a blind man leading blind sheep.

Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Let the leaders alone, if they are blind and you see, then leave them and find a shepherd who does see. We must be in unity to be in the Spirit and to battle in the Spirit.

John 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

The hireling runs from his responsibility to care for the sheep. Many are leaving the ministry, for many reasons. They are discouraged, but what of the sheep? We must be like David who encouraged himself in the Lord.

1 Sam 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

The Lord is our strength, his purpose, is our purpose, we must get our eyes off of self and our goals and seek his will. Jesus never fails.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

A shepherd receives all from the Good Shepherd, he knows each heart and each need.

1 Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Cor 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.

John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Jesus and the Father are as one, the Father guided Jesus when he became a man and Jesus obeyed him, even to the cross. He died for the sheep, to free them from Satan's bondage.

Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The other sheep were the other nations who would be blessed through faith in Jesus. This was part of the Abrahamic covenant.

Gen 18:17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
Gen 18:18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

Blessed in Him; Jesus a son of Abraham, the Son of God.

A better translation for "one fold" would be one "flock". The true church of believers are one flock. There is no one "church" or denomination that is true. There are no divisions of race, sex or bloodline.

Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

The death of Jesus was completely voluntary, but it was not an indirect suicide in any sense. It was part of a plan to submit to death and then to emerge from it victoriously alive, according to the command . . . received from God the Father. (Guzik)

Jesus has power to overcome death. Jesus is the life, the life eternal, through the Spirit of God.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

He was Spirit before coming to be in the man called Jesus. He has power to overcome the natural world. He was given all power by the Father.

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

John 10:19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

Jesus forces a person to make a decision. To know what Jesus has said, requires each one to make a choice. Jesus came with a dividing sword, the word of truth.

2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

John 10:20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? To call Jesus a devil, one must have no Spiritual discernment. The religious spirit claims that only they have the truth. Jesus knows his own, and they know him.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

The evidence is plain to see, if they can see. Can you see that Jesus is Lord and the Good Shepherd? Through belief we receive power to become the children of God. This power is of God, not of man.

A final note on the requirement to be a shepherd or Bishop.

1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1 Tim 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1 Tim 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1 Tim 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1 Tim 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
1 Tim 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
1 Tim 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Our focus must be on the Bishop Jesus, the Good Shepherd. If we think we have it bad, think about what Jesus did for us.

1 Pet 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1 Pet 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1 Pet 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 Pet 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

We are under shepherds to the Good Shepherd. He was a servant to all, so shall we be. He alone is Lord over the flock.

Solomon's Porch

John 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

They were celebrating Hanukkah and it was now winter. Webster's dictionary describes Hanukkah as: an 8-day Jewish holiday beginning on the 25th of Kislev (Jewish month) and commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem after its defilement by Antiochus of Syria.

John 10:23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

This would be a place of signs and wonders after the Holy Ghost had come.

Acts 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
Acts 5:13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Acts 5:15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
Acts 5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

The kingdom came to us through Jesus and he gave us access to the kingdom, the evidence is receiving the Holy Ghost.

John 10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

Unbelief may ask many questions, but they cannot hear because they have blocked the truth by their unbelief.

The works of Jesus bear witness of him. He showed that the kingdom of God had come to man.

Mat 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

We should always do the works of a child of God, through the Holy Ghost.

Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

He repeats his earlier words.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

This is our security in Christ Jesus. He saves us, we follow him and no man can take us from His hand.

John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Double security, the Father who gave them to Jesus is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of the Father's hand.

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

They were one in Spirit. Jesus was as God, a Son from heaven, yet they were distinct personalities. The trinity concept is one God in three Spiritual beings. It is error to claim that Jesus was not equal to God, for he is the eternal Living Word come into flesh. It is wrong to say Jesus only is God, for the Bible is clear to show us the three that are God. The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost.

2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Triple security, the presence of the Holy Spirit in our heart. We are kept by God through His Spirit. His seal of ownership.

John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
John 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

What evil had He done to deserve to be stoned? He earlier protected a woman accused of adultery from these same Jews.

John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

John 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus was more than a man, he was God in the flesh, the Messiah. They asked him earlier if he was the Messiah, now he answered them and they wished to stone him. Blasphemy was the reason given for stoning, but first there should be a trial. Jesus was telling he truth, but they were only seeking to kill him.

Lev 24:16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.

"Thus it is futile and fallacious to hail Christ as a great teacher, a wise leader, a noble prophet, or as any other type of excellent person, unless his Godhead is recognized. If Jesus was not indeed God come in flesh, then he was not a noble prophet but a liar, not a great leader but a fool, not a wise teacher but an idiot. Every man confronts this dilemma, invariably receiving Christ as ALL or nothing. An equivocal or halfway reception of Jesus Christ is, in fact, a rejection of him." (Coffman)

John 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
John 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Psa 82:1 A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

These gods were the judges of Israel, the term "gods" was as if they thought they were gods in the flesh. The true God was judging them.

Psa 82:2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
Psa 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Psa 82:4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
Psa 82:5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
Psa 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
Psa 82:7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

They were created in God's image, but are fallen. They are gods as followers of satans rebellious ways. Satan tempting Eve in the garden, promised her that they would be as gods.

Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Jesus came to restore man into the family of God, making us true son's of the most high God.

John 10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

Jesus was the true God from heaven, the others were as satan promised; false gods, acting apart from God the Father.

John 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

Jesus truly is the righteousness of God, His works declare this relationship. Do our works glorify the Father? Or do we give the world something to accuse and an example that it is all right to sin?

John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

The works prove his claim to be the Messiah, the Son of God.

Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

John 10:39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
John 10:40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
John 10:41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
John 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
John 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

John 10:42 And many believed on him there.

Jesus escaped the unbelieving Pharisees to the wilderness were John the Baptist began his preaching. Many believed on him there. God always has a remnant of people who believe.

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