Sunday: The Sheepfold — John 10:1-4
There were several types of sheepfolds common in Jesus’s time. The one referred to in this passage had a door, so it likely also had a stone wall surrounding it, topped with briar thorns, and was located in the front courtyard of a house. The fold usually grouped several flocks, and each shepherd would call to his flock and his flock only would respond to his call. If a stranger attempted to take the sheep, they would not follow him.
Monday: Jesus, the Door — John 10:4-10
Jesus explains that He is like the door to the sheepfold. If someone comes to try to take the sheep, they have to first go past Jesus. In this way, Jesus is likening Himself to a protector, deliver er, and savior. Likewise, any sheep that go in or out of the fold, have to go through Him. Jesus is alluding to the fact that He is the sole means of entry into the Kingdom of God. He is the Door by which His sheep can find sustenance, protection, and eternal rest.
Tuesday: Jesus, the Good Shepherd — John 10:11-18
Besides equating Himself to the Door, Jesus also refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd is willing to lay down His life for His sheep. Jesus is speaking specifically of His death. In a literal sense, the death of the shepherd would have meant imminent danger or even death for the sheep. But in the spiritual sense, the death of our Good Shepherd brought life for His sheep. In contrast, Jesus said that there was a thief whose sole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy the sheep. The Good Shepherd brings life and unity to the flock. Where once there had been several flocks in the fold, the Good Shepherd makes them all His own. This is directly referring to Jesus’s ministry being to both Jews and Gentiles, and that His gift of salvation is a gift for everyone.
Wednesday: Response of the Jewish Leaders — John 10:19-21
The Jewish leaders didn’t understand what Jesus was trying to say. They were divided as to what to do about this man called Jesus. John’s relating of the story emphasizes that Jesus’s death was nearing. It would soon be the end of His public ministry. The final scenes were playing out and each person had to choose a side— was Jesus who He claimed to be? Did He have power and authority granted from God? Was He the Messiah and the Son of God? Or was He just an ordinary man?
Thursday: Jesus, the Messiah — John 10:22-31
The Jewish authorities gathered around Jesus and asked Him to tell them plainly, “Are you the Christ?” Jesus answered that He had already told them, but they did not believe because they weren’t His sheep and didn’t recognize His voice. Now the emphasis changes slightly. Jesus says that His flock is not just in His hand but in His Father’s also because Jesus and His Father are one.
Friday: Jesus, the Son of God — John 10:32-39
In Psalm 82:6, the Old Testament refers to judges as gods because they were vehicles of God’s word. Jesus, though, was the Word in the flesh. God sanctified Him and sent Him into the world to redeem the world.
Saturday: Many Believe — John 10:40-42
Jesus left and went to the area of Bethany which was where John the Baptist had ministered. The crowd had remembered the things that John bore witness to. They remembered John’s prophetic words that one who would come after had shoes John was unworthy to tie. In contrast to the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, the people here had faith and trusted and believed.