Sunday with John – Listen

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”   ESV

What is the general theme of the passage?
Ownership is the hallmark of this Shepherd.  He acts to find and save every one of the sheep He owns, wherever they are. He has committed to protect them from the wolf in shepherd’s clothing who would steal and scatter them.  The Good Shepherd will bring the sheep to a place of safety where they may have life and have it abundantly.  

What does it say about God (or Jesus or the Holy Spirit?)
Jesus clearly states “I am the good shepherd.”   He has been given authority over His own life.  It’s His choice to “lay it down” and to “take it up again” in order to fulfill  “this charge I have received from my Father…one flock, one shepherd.

What does it say about people?
Our lives are not independent.  We are all sheep in one “fold” or another.  Circumstances make us vulnerable.

Is there truth here for me?
Circumstances are the “thief” of life; the wolf.  Don’t listen to the thief!  You will hear the Good Shepherd’s voice of abundant life, here and now, if you listen for His voice, because He says He already knows you!