The apostle John wrote how Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees, because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father”, and in chapter ten and verse nineteen of his book John shared how, “there was a division therefore again among the Jews” where we read:
There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
The verse reads, “There was a division therefore again ...” John began with the words, “there was a division” which means “there existed a split, gap, rent or schism” “therefore again” or “then, wherefore and on this account another time”. John shared because Jesus said He “received” the “commandment” from His Father to “lay down” His “life” and “take it up” again, it caused the people to “split from one another and be divided”.
The verse continues, “... among the Jews for these sayings.” John added the words, “among the Jews” which means “within the people who were Jewish by origin, religion or birth” “for these sayings” or “because and on account of the uttering, declarations and proclamations of Jesus”. John shared how “division” was effected within the people who were “Jewish” because of what Jesus said.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus' words caused a “division” among the Jewish people listening to Him. Many people who are unbelievers in the words of Jesus separate from those who believe in Him, and although God Almighty Himself sent His Son Jesus to be the “Savior and Lord” of the world, not everyone has “faith” in Him. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with everyone, and for that to happen, a person must put their “faith and trust” in His Son Jesus. Those who are wise will not be “separated” from the believers in Jesus but rather “trust” that He is who He says He is – the Christ and Son of God who gave His life for the sins of the world.
Next time John shares how, “many of them said, He has a devil, and is mad", so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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