This Sunday as we continue our series (verse-by-verse study) in the gospel of John; we are looking at chapter 10, now at verses 22-30. In this passage a significant time change is given in verse 22: “and it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.” This verse marks a 2 month time break, 2 months have gone by between verse 21 & 22. And Jesus is out for a walk under Solomon’s Porch because it is winter, and the desire to be sheltered from the cooler, possibly even rainy weather. Jesus then is surrounded and accosted by the Pharisees (religious leaders) demanding that He tell them whether He is the Messiah. Hadn’t Jesus told them by showing them His works? Haven’t they been able to listen to, observe His teachings, and how He interacted with others?

This Sunday will be part 1 of this lesson as we we’ll talk about the benefits of believing in Christ and where Jesus also returns to the sheep/shepherd motif that He has used earlier in this chapter 10. He is the Good Shepherd (10:11,14).