Live to Love Scripture Encouragement

John 11:33-35 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. “Weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15). We see a loving expression of empathy in Jesus. Although He knew Lazarus was only “sleeping” and that God was going to raise him for His glory, He still wept. John seems to imply that Jesus' tears were motivated by a movement of God deep within His spirit which was troubling. What do you think was troubling? Was it that he saw familiar faces—Jews who caused trouble the last time He was in Jerusalem? I wonder if He always felt that way when He saw death—it was always troubling to see the affects of sin on His creation, wasn't it? It's what He came to conquer. For whatever the reason, Jesus was ready to look death in the face in the power of the Holy Spirit with His Father. But still He wept. Filled with the hope of glory, Jesus wept. Isn't God's love amazing? Lord, I worship You.

John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.” “Snatch them out of My hand,” said Jesus, and "…snatch them out of the Father's hand.” Jesus told them plainly that He was the Christ—just like they asked Him in vs. 24. Jesus wasn't a good man showing all mankind how to be your best you. He wasn't a mere mortal who for a time had the spirit of the Christ upon him. He was the Christ in flesh. He was God the Father's hand in this world. He was perfectly united with His Father. To see Jesus was to see the Father (John 14:9). To know the Father, and the one whom He sent, Jesus Christ, is to know and have eternal life. For the Jews, He was saying the truth. “When you look at Me, you are looking at God, the Father.” Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will, toward those with whom He is well-pleased. Jesus is Immanuel.

John 10:28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. Don't you love this verse?! Jesus is the giver of eternal life and every single sheep will be safely drawn into the fold—not one will be lost. What a comfort it is to be in the hand of Jesus Christ! How do we know if we are in His hand? We hear His voice and follow Him. We do not follow the voice of another shepherd. There are some sheep who are not of Jesus' flock, who for a time, mix and mingle amongst the sheep of His flock while they are out in pasture. But they will never get into His fold because they are not His. Living to love with Jesus is the primary characteristic of Jesus' sheep. It is God's way of keeping His sheep in Jesus' hand. Living to love with Jesus is the heartbeat of all sheep who have eternal life. They will never perish.

John 10:29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." Jesus' sheep are given to Him by His Father. He is greater—more powerful—than any one who would like to snatch His sheep out of His hand. His sheep can't be snatched out of His hand because not only are the sheep in Jesus' hand, they are in the almighty, all-powerful Father's hand. Our security isn't based on what we do or don't do. Our salvation isn't based upon our good works. We are saved and have eternal life because of the Father's sustained will toward our highest good, even if it cost the Shepherd's life. He created us in Christ and gave us to Him forever. That's security! However, those who are not His don't need to be snatched out. They aren't in the Father's hand. They do not believe because they are not His sheep. They refuse to listen to His voice because they do not know His voice. We are living through a time in history where it appears that the devil is snatching sheep out of the midst of Jesus' flock. He doesn't have to snatch them, he can just call them. Progressive “Christianity”, which isn't Christian at all, is calling his sheep out from His flock. The apostasy has begun. God is separating the world's sheep from His sheep before He brings them into the fold.

John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; Living to love with Jesus is like being an impersonator who sounds like another. We want to be sure our “voice” is the same as our Shepherd. He will speak through us if we speak with His words and His Spirit in love and care for His sheep. We can trust God to give His sheep ears to hear His voice as He puts them in our paths. May we speak of Him and His love. His sheep are waiting to hear His voice, and they will follow Him to the praise of His glory.

John 10:26 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. Those who don't believe that Jesus is God in the flesh, the Door, the good Shepherd, the Light of Life, the one who lays down His life for us, don't believe because they are not His sheep. They follow another shepherd, the shepherd of the world. They recognize the voice of their shepherd, Worldly-wiseman, and they believe he is the door to significance, security, acceptance, and self-glory. Unbelief in God and in Christ characterizes all who are not His. You could tell them about Jesus all day long, and they will not have ears to hear. However, we can't tell who are His sheep or who are not His sheep until we love and speak in Jesus' name.

John 10:25. Jesus answered them when they asked Him, "If you're the Christ, tell us plainly," "I told you, and you do not believe the works that I do in my Father's name. These testify of Me." What do these works testify of regarding Jesus? Just to name a few, the miracles testify that God is with Him. They tell us that Jesus's passion is for the name of His Father. They tell us that Jesus is the Christ, God in a body like ours. These testify that Jesus's words are true. As people hear, listen, and follow Him, it testifies that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Those who live to love with Jesus should say the same. We should say, "The works that I do, I do in the name of Jesus Christ. These testify of me that I'm a child of God and that Jesus lives in me." Jesus taught this in John 14:12-14. Let's think about this today: Are all of my works bringing glory to the name of Jesus? Do they accurately testify of who He is, and who I am as His disciple?

John 10:24. The Jews then gathered around Him and were saying to Him, how long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. Some people want to know who is the Christ. God may put one or more of them in our paths today. How can we tell who they are? Love them for their highest good, which is pointing them to Christ. When possible, make a statement that might beg a question. For instance, if you pray the live to love prayer daily, you could say, "It's nice to meet you. I prayed for you this morning." Then when they look at you with a puzzling inquisitive look, you can share what you prayed. Don't keep them in suspense. Then say, "I prayed for you. I just didn't know your name, but God knew you and he loves you. Do you know Jesus?" Then if there's an opportunity, tell them plainly. Now that's a live to love with Jesus adventure.

John 10:22-23. At that time, the feast of the dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was Winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple and the Portico of Solomon. In 165 BC, when Judah Maccabee recaptured the temple, after it had been desecrated by a Syrian king, he ordered it to be cleansed, a new alter to be built and new holy vessels to be made. After these steps, the temple was rededicated to the Lord. However, unadulterated, undefiled, pure olive oil from the seal of the high priest was needed for the menorah, or the lamp stand, in the temple, which was required to burn throughout the night, every night. Unfortunately, only one flask was found with only enough oil to burn for one day. Yet when the Jews poured in the oil, and lit the menorah, it burned for eight days. Well, of course, eight days is the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of kosher oil for the menorah. It is this miracle that is commemorated during the feast of dedication. It's also called the festival of lights or Hanukkah. Jesus went to the temple to celebrate this wonderful work of God. That's what love for God does. Plus He is the light of the world. Jesus has recaptured our temple that has been defiled and desecrated by the world. Let's celebrate the work of God today that restored His temple so that it could be a holy place of worship to God. We celebrate that by living to love with Jesus.

John 10:21. In verse 20, there were some, many in fact, said, "He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to him?" Then John says, "Others were saying, 'These are not the sayings of one demon possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind can he?'" Although many are afraid of Jesus, there are others who cannot deny what Jesus has done and who He is in spite of what we don't understand about Him, we believe and follow Him. Don't let what we don't know or understand hinder us from responding to what we do see, know, and understand. Jesus is the light of the world, and that light is His love.

Live to Love Scripture Encouragement, John 10.20. John 10:20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?” Hm. Why did people listen to Jesus? Let's see. In the last 24 hrs, God testified about Him by healing a lame man and a blind man. He claimed that God was His Father and that He is the Light of life, the door to safety and peace, and the good shepherd. No one ever spoke with authority like Jesus. This being said, there are many people today who will think we are insane to listen to Jesus and love with Him. Let's not be distracted or discouraged. Love on with Him!

Welcome to today's Live to Love Scripture Encouragement. John 10:19 A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words. The words of Jesus often cause division. They bring out what's in the hearts of people. If there's a good heart, humility gives Jesus access to their lives. If pride, His words are toxic to them and they find ways to dismiss, change, or censor them. Sometimes, when we love people, we must speak the truth, the words of Jesus (there are times when it's loving to remain silent). But when we speak the truth, we should expect divisions to occur among those who think they know better than Jesus. The divisions are necessary to that we might demonstrate the love of Jesus through patience, forgiveness, empathy, or whatever expression of love He wishes to show for His glory.

John 10:18 “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” On the front side of the cross, you can see why the Pharisees were constantly scratching their heads as they listened to Jesus. However, from our post-cross perspective, our heads explode with wonder and awe. We know exactly what He was saying. The Father commanded Him to lay down His life and take it up again. So if the Father commanded it, then He has authority to do it. His death won't be because He is a victim of men's hatred and plotting. He put Himself into their hands (probably the very hands of the Pharisees to whom He was talking) to be killed of His own initiative in obedience to His Father. He knew they were trying to kill Him (Jo. 7:19; 8:37, 40). He wanted them to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He and the Father were in complete control. As we live to love with Jesus, let's remember that we are never victims. We are in the hands of our Father, who loves us through our good Shepherd, who is with us. We lay our lives down by confronting sin, speaking the truth, forgiving, and loving those who who hate us and wish us harm.

John 10:17 “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.” Isn't this an amazing revelation? Jesus told the Pharisees why the Father continuously loves Him. It's because He continuously lays down His life (implied for the sheep). “So that” is a purpose clause indicating that He gets His authority to take up His life again because He willingly, obediently, and continuously lays down His life. Resurrection follows death, not only in Jesus' life, but also in ours. Living to love with Jesus is a continuous laying down of our lives willingly and obediently, knowing that God will raise us up with Christ. What humility, surrender, love, and glory are displayed in the life of Jesus, our Savior. Let's remember and be amazed that His humility, surrender, love, and glory live in us.

John 10:16 “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.” Can you see, “What does He mean?” displayed over the faces of the Pharisees? I can't help but think He was referring to the Gentiles—that's all of us who were not born of Jewish descent. We have become one flock with all of the Jews who also heard His voice and followed Him. This “must bring them also” is the only reason Jesus hasn't returned yet. Peter explained Jesus' delay in returning based upon this great truth recorded in 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you (the beloved sheep), not wishing for any (of the beloved sheep) to perish but for all (of the beloved sheep) to come to repentance—and be brought into the fold. There is one sheep that will be the last one who He knows like the Father knows Him, and when that one has been brought into the fold, Jesus will return in glory to gather His flock into the fold. What a day that will be!

John 10:15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” We are known and loved by Jesus as Jesus is known and loved by the Father. We know and love Jesus as Jesus knows and loves the Father. Don't miss this. Jesus is going to unpack this relationship more in John 14. The Father and Son relationship is the pattern and source of the relationship between Jesus and His sheep/disciples/followers. Attitudes of trust and surrender permeate both relationships. This begs the question: Would God see these attitudes of trust and surrender permeating our lives and our relationship with Him? Love flows where trust grows, and it looks like surrender (laying down our lives). Jesus knows us like the Father knows Him. Out of that love relationship (of trust and surrender) between the Father and Son, flows our salvation and our lives, for our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).

John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,” Jesus repeated His claim to be the good shepherd. He certainly didn't want them to miss what He is. How comforting it is to know that He knows His own. He knows everything about us individually as well as collectively. And we each know Him. We know His voice. We know when He is near. We know that He loves us and will not let the wolf (sin) get us. This highlights two characteristics of both Jesus and His own. Of Jesus: He longs to know us and to be known by us. Of us: We know we are His and we know who He is (God's Son), what He is to us (our Door and Shepherd), and what He does for us (saves us from sin). The man who had received sight was the subject in view. He no longer was blindly following the Pharisees who were also blind, hired hands, and thieves and robbers, but he knew He belonged to Jesus, knew His voice, and was following Him. We praise and thank You, Jesus, for knowing us and enabling us to know You.

John 10:13 “He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.” The hired hand is only concerned about his or her pay and personal safety, not the sheep. He or she cares only about the sheep to the degree that it results in reward, whether money or significance. Just like Jesus is the door and the shepherd, the Pharisees were the thieves and robbers and the hired hands. As we live to love with Jesus, let's continually search our hearts and sanctify ourselves by dying to a desire to get a reward for loving others. As good shepherds, let's lay our lives down willingly and lovingly for the sake of His sheep.

John 10:12 “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.” A new character enters the story. The hired hand. He's not the thief or the robber. He has no ownership of the sheep and therefore won't lay down his life for the sheep. When the wolf comes, he runs, which leaves the wolf free to snatch at will and scatter the sheep. So it is in churches where there are no shepherds, but the leaders are in it for themselves. They are afraid to love the sheep and confront the wolf. Who is the hired hand? The leader for hire. Who is the wolf? The devil and sin. Jesus came to face the wolf head on and lay down His life in order to save the sheep. That's what love looks like. Have you put yourself into the hands of a hired hand (someone on earth that you pay with money or praise as your counselor/guide/shepherd) or have you given yourself to the good Shepherd? Be careful, there are many hired hands on the internet and social media.

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” Jesus is the Door and the good Shepherd in Jesus' parable. He's a good shepherd because He will do whatever it costs to save His sheep—even to laying down His life. He is prophesying what He will do to save us and give us abundant life. God's love: the sustained direction of the will (He lays) toward the highest good (salvation) of others (the sheep) no matter what the cost (His life). What a good shepherd we have! We are His sheep. We are saved! We are loved! Jesus, You are good indeed!

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” If the voice isn't that of Jesus, then loss, death, and destruction come upon those who follow the thief. Jesus came so the sheep may have abundant life. Why didn't Jesus just say, “Hey, guys, follow Me and leave everything else behind”? I think it's because He was jealous for the work of the Spirit. He simply and clearly stated who He is, who He came for, and why He came. Then He trusted the Father to work through the Spirit and open their ears and eyes to see and follow. That's love for God and love for men being expressed. This helps us know what to do as we love those God puts in our paths who don't know Jesus. Who is Jesus? He is the Door to God's house. Who did He come for? He came for anyone who will hear, believe, and enter. Why did He come? He came t0o save us by leading us out of death into abundant life. Thank you, Jesus!

John 10:9 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” Jesus spoke lovingly and clearly. He is the door through whom anyone may be saved and find satisfaction for the hunger of the soul. Such a simple gospel! When I read this, I leave this world behind and run into Jesus. He is my door, my salvation, my pasture. My soul runs to You, Jesus. I want to be in You, rest in You, and be satisfied in You so that You may be glorified. Thank You for enduring with me until my deaf ears were opened and my blind eyes received sight. I love You, enjoy You, am filled with You. Amen.

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