5. Week Five: One With The Father

I and the Father are one.

Jesus in John 10:30

Part One

There is so much good stuff in this reading. If you have time, take two days and go back through it a second time.

Some of the events occur during the Feast of Dedication, which we know as Hanukkah, meaning dedication. It celebrates the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple after it was desecrated in 167 B.C. by Antiochus Epiphanes IV, a foreign Seleucid ruler.⁸

Note Jesus’s I AM statement as you read.

Read John 10, Noting Two I AM Statements.

*** One of my seminary professors shared the reaction of his rabbi friend as they read and discussed this chapter in John. The rabbi yelled out “Blasphemy” when Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd” because God identifies himself in the OT as the Shepherd of Israel. He knew immediately that Jesus was claiming to be God. Journal about these verses: Psalm 23; Isaiah 40:9-11; Ezekiel 34:11-16.

Shepherds were common in Jesus’s culture. We may not grasp all of his teaching here without some background, so study the topic if you are interested. In our American world, most shepherds drive their sheep from behind, but in that day and still today in some parts of the world, shepherds led the sheep in small enough herds to know them individually.

Respond to the story by journaling:

• What insights are meaningful to you from the metaphor and description of the Good Shepherd in vv.1-30 and why?
• What do you find most significant about Jesus’s teaching on the security of his sheep (vv. 27-30)? Note the reaction of the Jewish leaders in v. 31.
• Read Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (called by the Jews the Shema, from the word “to hear”) in light of John 10:30, and journal your thoughts about their connection.
• What is God saying to you personally through his Word today?

As you have read Jesus’s claims over and over in this gospel and now again in John 10, you may be wondering about the Trinity—that God is one in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This was an entirely new concept and a stumbling block to first century Jews.

The Trinity is beyond my understanding. There is no parallel in our world for it, despite the fact that we try to apply various inanimate illustrations to the concept of three in one. It’s a mystery that is impossible to logically grasp. How can God be one and three? How can he be one and yet separate?

But when we refuse to accept what we cannot logically or completely understand, we place the experience and abilities of the human mind over God’s. The Trinity is only one example of that. We are like my two dogs who try so hard to understand me, but it’s simply not possible. The problem is with us, not God.

In the end, we can wonder and question, but our response should be worship!

Part Two

John 11 is one of the most well-known stories of the Bible. As you read, try to picture yourself with Jesus. Don’t make up fictional details, but place yourself in the middle of the story. If you have never read or heard it before, consider how you may have been affected by the experience.

Read John 11:1-54.

*** Journal about the stories of other people whom Jesus raised from the dead that are not recorded in John’s gospel: Luke 7:11-17; 8:40-42, 49-56. John chose to include only seven signs while other gospel authors include more.

Respond to the story by journaling:

• What does this story reveal about Jesus?
• What do you find significant in the interactions between various people and Jesus?
• What is God saying to you from this passage?

Part Three

Again there is too much spiritual meat in this passage for one day’s reading. It’s worth rereading and journaling twice. If your group takes a break after you finish this study, consider going back through John, especially the chapters covered so quickly.

Read John 11:55-12:50.

*** Many who had seen the signs were still unbelieving (v.37), and Jesus warned them of the need to come to the light. Journal about Jesus’s call and warnings in vv. 35-50 and his words to Nicodemus in John 3:19-21.

Respond to the story by journaling:

• Consider the responses of various individuals or groups in Jerusalem for the Passover, and journal about one of them.
• What insights from Jesus’s words about himself and his mission on earth are most significant to you and why?
• What is God saying to you from this story today?

PRAYER: Fall in worship before our one God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and acknowledge your limitations in understanding the great truth of the Trinity.

Watch Who Is This Jesus? Week 5 That Accompanies This Lesson At https://Vimeo.Com/Album/4507580