Chapter 10
I am the Good Shepherd
Jesus is using a two part illustration to make an important point that I think many times as Christians we over complicate. First Jesus describes himself as the door through which sheep can pass in order to find pasture in the metaphor is passing through the door of Jesus is how we find life in God's Kingdom. Jesus then goes on to call himself the Good Shepherd and states that the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep this is both figurative and literal. I may or may not have thought of this before and someday sections I know that I have taught the children this and children's church that during this time when Shepherds would take their sheep out grazing many times they would be with the sheet overnight and would need a place to pen the sheep and keep them together and safe overnight and so the shepherd's would often Corral the Sheep into natural fenced-off or pending area where they could then lay down in front of the opening and serve as a gate of sorts and when the Shepherds would lay down the Sheep would not cross over the Shepherds body without the Shepherd getting up and the shepherd was also in a position to then defend the Sheep if any Predators or thieves came to get access to them. Jesus is also speaking metaphorically and that a Shepherd actually gives up his life in service to our defending the Sheep lays down as in his willing to sacrifice which is exactly what Jesus does for us when he lays down his life on the cross at Calvary. The point here is this Jesus is very clear that we need to pass through him and him alone in order to access life and she's in God's Kingdom. I believe this is the message we often overcomplicate the Sheep know the shepherd's voice and another they will not follow and the Sheep grants and the shepherd grants the Sheep access to pasture the Sheep do not go anywhere the shepherd does not direct and allow them to go and we have complicated and clouded and convoluted this message over the years when the simple message of the Gospel truth is Jesus is our way to gain access to God's Kingdom.
I and the Father are one
Don't keep us in suspense, but Jesus responds I have told you several times

· I told you, I am the one who came from heaven (John 3:13, 6:38)
· I told you, whoever believes on Me has eternal life (John 3:15)
· I told you, I am the unique Son of God (John 5:19-23)
· I told you, I will judge all humanity (John 5:19-23)
· I told you, all should honor Me just as the honor God the Father (John 5:19-23)
· I told you, the Hebrew Scriptures all speak of Me (John 5:39)
· I told you, I perfectly reveal God the Father (John 7:28-29)
· I told you, I always please God and never sin (John 8:29, 8:46)
· I told you, I am uniquely sent from God (John 8:42)
· I told you, before Abraham was, I Am (John 8:58)
· I told you, I am the Son of Man, prophesied by Daniel (John 9:37)
· I told you, I will raise Myself from the dead (John 10:17-18)
· I told you, I am the Bread of Life (John 6:48)
· I told you, I am the Light of the World (John 8:12)
· I told you, I am the Door (John 10:9)
· I told you, I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)