John 10

Notes

Ver. 1-5. I, who am truth itself, solemnly assure you that whoever they are who enter into any office in God's church not according to his appointment, but by methods of their own devising, are intruders and seducers, who, instead of feeding and governing his people, attempt to rob God of his authority over and property in them, and to pervert and destroy their souls. But he who, from right principles and ends, and in the manner appointed by God, enters upon the work of feeding and guiding the church, hath a proper right to take care of his people—those cleanly and tractable, meek, patient, harmless, and cautious, but timorous and exposed, social and useful, fearers of God. And having invested him with all proper authority, God, by his Spirit and the ministry of his servants, opens the hearts of his people to receive him, and they are taught to understand and distinguish his voice in the gospel; while he, by his grace, calls them to himself, in the most blessed manner. and leads them into the good pastures of his Word and ordinances.—In so doing, he, by his instruction and example, shows them the way; and they, understanding and approving the same, willingly yield up themselves to his authority, and tread in his steps. But the true and faithful people of God have a fixed aversion to the unscriptural doctrines and bad example of false teachers, because they perceive their tendency to lead them away from the right way of salvation. 6-9. Finding that, through their self-conceit, the Pharisaic teachers did not comprehend his meaning, Jesus added. I am the only door of salvation and way to eternal life, and the only one by whom ministers can have admission to office in the gospel-church, or people have access to spiritual privileges and saving benefits. All that, before me, pretended to Messiahship, and all that oppose me and teach other methods of salvation, are but mere intruders into their office, who rob my Father and me of our honour and property, and destroy men's souls; but God's people, by the use of their enlightened consciences, shall be able to detect their errors. I therefore insist on it, as a matter of infinite importance, that I am the only true door of the church, and entrance to eternal life. Whosoever therefore enters upon religion by faith in me as the only Saviour, shall certainly be protected from spiritual enemies, delivered from misery of every kind, and obtain eternal blessedness ; and shall, under the conduct of my Word and Spirit, find access to, liberty in, and spiritual support, nourishment, and comfort, by my divine ordinances. 10-13. False teachers come only to seduce church-members, murder their souls, or plunder and persecute them ; but I am come to manifest the method of obtaining spiritual and eternal life, yea, to secure it for them, and to bestow it upon them, in the most universal, unexpected, eminent, inconceivably large, and everlasting manner. I am the eminently and infinitely good Shepherd of the church foretold by the prophets, and who not only lead, protect, and feed, but give my very life, soul, and self, in the stead of the faithful, to secure their eternal happiness.—But they who from selfish views commence pastors in the church, having no real affectionate concern for their people, are unwilling to hazard their life, reputation, or secular interests in their service; but are alway ready to shift for themselves, and leave the people to be seduced or perverted as Satan and his emissaries please. No wonder they are so careless of their hearers' spiritual and eternal advantage when they only entered on their office from a regard to secular advantage. 14-18. And being the infinitely good and the chief Shepherd of the church, I perfectly know, exactly observe, and tenderly care for all faithful people, who are, by my Father's gift, my own sacrifice, and their self-dedication, my peculiar property; and they spiritually know me and my doctrine, and faithfully and affectionately embrace me and hearken to it. And as the Father perfectly knows, loves, approves, and confides in me, I also am perfectly acquainted with him and all his mind, and trust in him, and delight to do his will. Such is my love to him and to all the world that I am willing and ready to lay down my life in its stead, that all may obtain eternal salvation. And besides those Jews which I have called, or will surely call, into my church, I must, in pursuance of my eternal engagements, and in justice to my sacrifice for them, seek to bring in multitudes also of heathen Gentiles, and unite them with those Jews in the gospel-church, new-covenant, or heavenly state, under my tender care, influences, and government.—And not only doth my Father love me as his only begotten Son, but even on account of my zeal for the manifestation of his glory in the salvation of sinful men, in so cheerfully dying for the pardon of their sins, that I might rise again for their justification.—No man, by either stratagem or force, can deprive me of my life without my own consent ; but, as absolute proprietor thereof, I voluntarily lay it down, and will, by my own power, rise from the dead, after making satisfaction for the sins of the world according to the commandment and love of my Father. 25-30. Not only have I, in the strongest declarations, asserted my Messiahship, though ye perversely refused to believe me, but I have demonstrated it by my divine and miraculous works: yet such is your obstinacy, that no declarations or demonstrations will persuade you; as I know, from your indifference and hardness, that your affections are fixed on the world, and that because of this you do not wish to hear me and obey me.—As I distinctly know, observe, and love all men, I shall seek to lead them to attend to, distinguish, prize, and willingly obey the voice of my Word and Spirit, and readily follow my instructions and example. And I freely give them an irrevocable right to all spiritual and eternal benefits, lead them now into some enjoyment of them, and, will strive to put them into the full possession.—Nor shall either their own weakness, unworthiness, or sinfulness, make them fall short of heaven, if they will only by faith hold to my words and by prayer and good works consecrate themselves to God. Nay, my heavenly Father, who loves them, and hath a tender interest in them, and who calleth them to me that I might bring them safely to glory, being infinitely superior to all their enemies in power and wisdom, it is absolutely impossible to defeat his gracious designs towards them, or to entice or force them out of his almighty hands, only by their own unfaithfulness. And my Father and I, being the very same in nature, power, and every other perfection, as well as in will and design, we must be both overcome before the weakest of true believers can be deprived of eternal life. 32. Many great and merciful works I have wrought among you, in confirmation of my character, in feeding multitudes of hungry persons, healing all manner of diseases, raising the dead, and casting out tormenting devils. For which of these do you intend to stone me to death? 34-38. And when the Scripture, which is infallible, and must be accomplished, calls your magistrates Gods, who were but types and shadows of the Messiah, why do you perversely charge me, in whom these types are perfectly fulfilled, and whom the Father hath appointed from eternity, and hath sent into the world to exercise all authority as the true Messiah, with blasphemy, for asserting my oneness in nature and perfections with the Father! If I do not perform works as great and glorious as could be expected from the Father, and which, being superior and contrary to the laws of nature, must be performed by that power which is in the Father himself, I do not claim your belief as the Son of God or promised Messiah. But if I perform works peculiar to God, and in a manner proper to him, then, however ye disregard my person or doctrine in itself, submit to the unexceptionable evidence of my miracles, that ye may be convinced that my Father and I have essential and necessary communion in Godhead.

Ver. 3. Calleth his own sheep by name. The eastern shepherds give names to their sheep, as Europeans generally give to their dogs; and by its name the eastern shepherd will call any sheep in his flock, and it will immediately come out and follow him. C.

Ver. 4. Goeth before them. The eastern shepherd, having often to conduct his flock far, and through unfrequented tracts, in search of grass, does not drive, but walks before his flock, which is taught to look to and follow him. C.

Ver. 16. Other sheep. The Gentiles that were not of the Jewish fold, but whom our Lord in due time gathered into one, Ep. 1. 10; 2. 11-22; 3. 6, 15. C.

Ver. 18. I have power, &c. This power or authority of laying down and taking up life is peculiar to Christ.—This commandment (rather, 'this commission') have I received of my Father.

—Note, When 'the Word was made flesh' he came into the world 'to do the will' of his Father—consequently, as Messiah did nothing but by the Father's authority or commandment. Oh, that believers would remember this part of the condition of Christ 'in the days of his flesh,' and 'go and do likewise!' C.

Ver. 22. Feast of the dedication. This feast was appointed by Judas Maccabæus to commemorate the purification of the temple after it had been profaned by Antiochus. It began on the 25th of Chisleu (answering to part of our December), and lasted for eight days. C.

Ver. 27. My sheep hear my voice. (1) As a voice of truth, (2) As a voice of love and mercy. (3) As a voice of power.—And I know them. (1) In all their waywardness. (2) In all their weakness. (3) In all their sin. (4) In all their troubles, perplexities, and dangers.—And they follow me. (1) In believing on my name. (2) In denying themselves. (3) In bearing my cross through all danger. (4) In bearing witness for me through all gainsaying. (5) In holiness in all manner of conversation. C.

Ver. 30. I and the (not my) Father are one—one in energy and power ; for power is the attribute in question (see ver. 28, 29) —and therefore one in Godhead; which doctrine results from the identity of divine attributes between the Father and the Son. C.

Ver. 36. Sanctified—set apart for himself (Ps. 4. 3) by giving him 'the Spirit without measure,' and dwelling essentially in him, and working the works of Godhead in him and by him, ch. 3. 34; 14. 10; 17. 21. See also ver. 37, 38. C.

Ver. 41. John did no miracle. The performing of miracles is not essential to the proof of a divine commission. All that is absolutely necessary is doctrinal conformity with the Word of God (already established by miracles and prophecy), with holiness of life and singleness of purpose—the visible evidences of the presence, power, and authority of the Spirit of God. C.

Reflections.—Infinitely necessary and useful is Jesus Christ to sinful men, as their shepherd, to seek out, gather, and feed them, as their door and entrance to, and the precious price of, salvation. Indissoluble are his living connections with his people, and kind his regards to them. Unbounded was his love in giving his life for all men, and rising again for their justification. And through him they receive the most holy liberty, inexpressible delight, spiritual supplies, and superabundant and endless felicity. With what transcendent faithfulness, wisdom, and grace, he seeks them out, and strives to bring them 'into his kingdom and church, and guides, governs, protects, and goes before them through life and death into everlasting blessedness! Infallible is their perseverance, and certain their eternal life, if they continue faithful to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. But base are the men who, without his commission, thrust themselves into offices in his church, or behave indolently, unconcernedly, or tyranically therein. Let every one that regards the life of his soul flee from them. The purpose of God certainly stands firm, whether with respect to men's salvation or ruin. But how implacable is the rage which words of infinite grace, offers of unbounded fulness, declarations of truth, and merciful miracles unnumbered, do but heighten and provoke to murder the Saviour! No wonder he abandons such, and offers his presence to others more likely to regard him.