As Jesus headed to Jerusalem, He spoke to many people. He used analogies from everyday life to describe Himself.

²³ Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. ²⁴ But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. John 2:23-24

In John 10, Jesus uses several analogies to define who He is:

1. Jesus is the Gate for the sheep (John 10:7).
2. Jesus is the Door for salvation (John 10:9).
3. Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14).
4. Jesus told them that as the Good Shepherd, He lays down His life for his sheep, and will take it up again by the authority given to Him by His Father (John 10:17-18).
5. Jesus and the Father are one (John 10:30).
6. Jesus is God’s Son (John 10:36).
7. Jesus told them to believe His works even if they didn’t believe His words (10:37-38).

Jesus’ greatest public miracle happened in Bethany when He raised Lazarus from the dead. In His conversation with Martha, Jesus declared:

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Martha spoke the same confession that Simon Peter did when Jesus asked the disciples who they thought He was (Matthew 16:16),
²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

We now come to the final public address that Jesus gives. In it, He reveals His mission, how He will fulfill it, and what He will accomplish in doing it–and we will pick up here tomorrow. If you want to read ahead, it begins in 12:20 and runs through the end of the chapter.

In the meantime, read through again the list of analogies Jesus gave us and ponder what they mean to us. How do we relate to each one?

Abba, as I look at these analogies, I see myself as one of Your sheep. I put my full trust in You because You laid down Your life for me and then took it up again so that I might not fear death (Hebrews 2:14-15). I know that You hold me in a double-fisted grip (John 10:28-29), and I believe You are God and Son at the same time. You have worked a miracle in my heart and life, and I praise You and thank You. Amen.