John 10:1-10

Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.

Read John 10:1-10 keeping in mind that Jesus is addressing the Pharisees (religious leaders) and the Jewish crowds in Jerusalem after he healed a man who had been blind from birth.

Jesus came to gather the lost sheep of Israel - the true people of God – no matter their position on the societal ladder. Jesus’ invitation was open to the disabled, the discarded, the overlooked and the oppressed as well as those in charge, and his method is the same now as it was then. Jesus draws all people to himself by his Spirit and he uses people to lead others to himself. But Jesus warns that not every person who presents him or herself as a spiritual leader has good intentions.

In using the illustration of would-be shepherds who sneak into the sheep pen, Jesus alludes to God’s condemnation of the false shepherds of Israel in the prophecy of Ezekiel around 600 years earlier. Read Ezekiel 34:1-6 right now.

The false shepherds in this prophecy were overseers of a system that benefitted the leaders while oppressing and destroying the ones entrusted to their care. There always have been and always will be those who seek a position of leadership in order to fulfill selfish desires.

How do you choose resources and environments to help you grow spiritually?

How do you evaluate the spiritual leaders to whom you listen?

Talk to Jesus about this for a moment.

Read John 10:1-10 again focusing on the images of freedom for those who enter through the true gate.

A good test of true spiritual leadership is that the leader points away from him or herself to Jesus. We saw that in John the Baptist. Another good indicator of a good spiritual leader is that their input into our lives leads us to freedom in Jesus rather than legalistic adherence to rules.

The rule of Jesus doesn’t restrict our freedom, the rule of Jesus allows us to live within God’s perfect design for life. We don’t follow a list of rules, we follow a living person who embodies God’s good and perfect rule and way. He is the gate to true freedom.

Meditate on these words of Jesus for a moment: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

How would you characterize your experience of life currently? Talk to Jesus about this.

If your life seems less than rich and satisfying, is it possible that you need to refocus some aspect of it on Jesus?

As you end this time of reflection, take a moment to get quiet and listen to Jesus as openly as you can. If you sense him inviting you to a new or different way of knowing him, take action today.

Subscribe here to receive these guided meditations free by email Monday-Friday each week. If you find these meditations helpful, please forward them to a couple of friends.

The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.