John 9:39. “And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and they which see might be made blind.” FOR JUDGMENT: the judgment of the cross. There had to be standards set, because sin had entered the world. Chaos reigned on the earth; confusion everywhere swirled. Until a standard of righteousness was impressed on men's hearts - And self-righteous people tried their own rules on others to impart.
But confusion still reigned on earth, until God's law was given. People tried to favor their own life-styles – still their sins unforgiven. God's laws made plain what was needed to control - And bring order out of chaos, but it didn't bring rest to their souls.
So, into this world of sin, Christ was willing to come - And He did not leave, until judgment for sin was done. Those helpless to establish true righteousness - Found the was One who could forgive and bless.
The demands of God's law could not be overlooked. It was judgment for a broken law Jesus willingly took. He did not suffer just to leave an example - For in His sacrifice, His fulfillment of the law was ample.
The judgment He bore makes self-righteous people blind - Because they can't put their perceived goodness out of their mind. They will not accept the fact they are not good enough - And in spite of God's law, they still themselves foolishly bluff.
Other people know they are blinded by sin. When God's Gospel is made clear, they turn willingly to Him Who was willing to take the judgment they would forever bear. They realize the Lord Jesus on the cross took their place there.
“I thank Thee, O God, that the judgment that was on me is passed and there is no condemnation now. I praise Thee from my heart that He fulfilled all righteousness and I am legally free from the law's demands and am legitimately one of Thy family. Please accept my thanks Father, for all the blessings that have come to me through the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
JOHN 1O
IF ANY MAN A word to the lost, Jn.10:9: “If any man enter in, he shall be saved.”
- He shall be saved – (1) Noah was saved from danger, by going through the door of the ark (2) The offender was saved from death, by going through the door of the city of refuge (3) The Passover person was saved from the destroyer, by going inside the blood- sprinkled door.
- Shall go in – to the presence of the Lord (1) To find fellowship with God (2) To find communion with God (3) To find acceptance with God (4) To find favor with God
- And shall go out – to the presence of the people (1) Identification [Heb.13:13] unto Him without the camp (2) Testimony [MKat.22:10] so those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all as…
- Shall find pasture – (1) Food for the soul: the sustenance is there (2) Rest for the weary: the shelter is there (3) Safety for the tested: The Shepherd is there. A word to the guilty, 1Jn.2:1-2: “If anyone sin, we have an Advocate.” A word to the friendless, Rev.3:20: “If any man, hear My voice and open the door. A word to the unsatisfied, Jn.7:37: “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me”
THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP, John 10. “Follow thou Me.” The FOLD as a figure of the Church or the Kingdom of God. The DOOR as a figure of Christ, the Way. The PORTER as a figure of the Holy Ghost who brings us into the fold. The SHEPHERD as a figure of Christ, our Savior and Keeper. The SHEEP as a figure of Christ’s true disciples. The HIRELING as a figure of false teachers. The WOLF as a figure of Satan “seeking whom he may devour.”
Christ is the “Good Shepherd” [Jn.10:11], for He loves the sheep even unto death. Christ is the “Great Shepherd” [Heb.13:20], for He cares for all the flock. Christ is the “Chief Shepherd” [1Pe.5:4], for He appoints, supports and will reward all His faithful under- shepherds.
THE GOOD SHEPHERD: He knows His sheep; all of them. “I know My sheep”; “He calleth His own sheep by name.” He bought the sheep [1Pe.1:18-19. He seeks and finds His sheep [Ez.34:11-12; Lu.19:10]. He cares for the sheep: collectively, individually [Jn.13:1]. He guides His sheep [Jn.10:4; Ps.32:8]. He leads them:
- In paths of holiness [Isa.35:8; Ps.24:2; 93:5; Lu.1:75’ 1Thes.4:7; Heb.12:10,14; Titus 2:3].
- In paths of happiness [Pro.3:17; Ps.109:2; 128:2; Pro.8:32; Lu.2:28; Rev.22:14].
- In paths of usefulness [Mat.4:19; 21:28; Jn.4:34-38; Jn.9:3-4; Eph.2:10; Titus 2:14; 3:1,8]. He feeds His sheep [Mk.6P:43; Rom.5:9-10; 1Pe.2:2; Ps.23:2,5].
THERE FORE: “Follow Me”; with hearts surrendered in humility. “Follow Me” with hands sanctified by carrying the cross. “Follow Me” with hope satisfied completely by the promises of God. “Follow Me” with happiness secured by knowing and doing the will of God.