Genuine

John 10:1 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

It seems as though healing a man blind since birth would earn you at least a little props. Instead, Jesus was driven out of the Temple, along with the blind man He healed. And why? Because of the day He chose to heal. It was the Sabbath.

It was the day in which He saw the man who was in need. Jesus healed the man as He passed by. There is a good chance He may not have passed by again. After all, Jesus was passing by after having the Pharisees take up stones to stone Him. (John 8:59)

Shepherds have an eye for the sheep. Thieves and robbers have an eye for themselves.

Jesus healed one of His sheep, who was in trouble. The Pharisees condemned Jesus for the healing because it threatened their idea of how to religiously maintain the Sabbath. They had their eye on themselves, and how their authority might be undermined if “a work” was performed on a day when no works are allowed. Not even good works. Not even works of love for the sheep.

In a short period of time, hirelings, thieves and robbers will turn the sheep against them, and then eventually the owner of the sheep whom they supposedly represent. They are false, evil misrepresentations of the Owner of the sheep. The sheep see they are fake.

Jesus makes this patently clear. Yet still the Pharisees do not see His clarity because He is directing it at them. In Jesus’ words, the Pharisees are hirelings, thieves, and robbers because they rip off the sheep, and in so doing they rip off the Father, who is the Owner of the sheep. They grossly mismanage the flock which belongs to God - and worse – it appears intentional.

Jesus willingly calls Himself a shepherd, and then describes the attributes which comprise a good shepherd. He enters through the door. His desire is apparent. He says what He means. He means what He says. He loves the sheep, and His concern is for the sheep because that is the concern of His Father in Heaven, Who is the Owner. The Pharisees have no such stake. Their god is their belly. Jesus is clearly indicating what a personal relationship with God looks like. It is, above all, genuine.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
- Pastor Bill