The Good Shepherd
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A psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
That psalm is a common one for funerals and for times of trial. It’s reassuring to think about the way that God is our shepherd.
The heart of God is as a shepherd for his sheep.
In the passage that we are looking at today, Jesus demonstrates that he is the shepherd of the sheep.
If you have your bibles, open them to John 10. Unfortunately, we won’t have any slides today.
Context
possibly still part of the Feast of Tabernacles - but it may also be closer to Hanukkah (the Feast of Dedication) - per v. 22 - even though they reference the healing of the blind man.
Jesus is the rightful shepherd (1-4; 11)
Jesus is the rightful shepherd (1-4; 11)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
There seems to be an abrupt change between the end of chapter 9 and the beginning of chapter 10. There is a manner in which we could look at this section and see it as a continued condemnation of the leaders of the people of Israel.
Jesus essentially says that he is the rightful shepherd of the flock.
Milne, in his commentary noted 5 reasons why he is the rightful shepherd (p. 146):
The appointment he enters (1-2) - because he is the rightful shepherd, he is going about it the right way. He is entering the way that God had ordained - and even, as we’ll see in a minute - he is fulfilling God’s shepherding prophecy.
The response he evokes (3) - the sheep recognize his voice - and respond. For those who are called into a relationship with Jesus - there is something comforting and reassuring about the voice of Jesus. Now we can’t hear him with our ears, but when we read His Word and consider what he teaches, it prompts us to repent of our sin, so obey his teaching, and to follow him.
The call he issues (3) - Milne notes that not only does he call them, but he calls his people by name. In middle eastern society, a shepherd would know his sheep that way. He might name them by a sort of characteristic. But he might also name them a unique and special name.
Glenn and Lisa have several goats (I know they are not sheep). Each of them have names - though I think we’re still working on names for the the three babies. Often their names are related to their parents or to something special about them. For instance, the twins - Flurry and Snowball were born on a snowy day - and have unique white markings on them. Then there is Phoenix - the only boy, Phancy (with a PH), Esther - the mother of the twins, and Myrtle - the most unique of the herd, because she is a different breed.
Think about this, Jesus knows you by name. He knows your strengths and weaknesses, he knows your uniquenesses. He knows your personality. When he calls you into a relationship with him or when he calls you to do something - he knows how you will respond. He knows how difficult it can be. He knows the outcome.
Milne also notes that Jesus is the rightful shepherd because...
The direction he provides (3) - because the sheep know his voice, they want to follow him. They want to go where he leads - he is a trustworthy shepherd. He will not lead us into needless danger. As we follow his teachings, we find that his ways bring life to us and to those around us. His teachings help us to fulfill the commands of God. His teachings have no remorse or regret with them.
The obedience he elicits (4) - sheep follow because they know his voice and so he can be obeyed!
So Jesus steps into this role as the rightful shepherd of the flock of God. But in doing this, he also accuses the current leaders of being thieves. Which is not the first time. In Ezekiel 34 - God confronts the bad shepherding of Israel’s leaders and then responds by saying:
I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!
In many ways, Jesus’ teaching on this demonstrates how he fulfills this Ezekiel passage. As God in the flesh - he is the shepherd. Elsewhere in the gospels he says he came to “seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
As we continue looking at this passage, we get to see that as shepherd...
Jesus gathers the flock (7-18)
Jesus gathers the flock (7-18)
Jesus changes the metaphor a bit and refers to himself as the door of the sheep.
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
a little later he says:
And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
In gathering the flock, he grants entry into the fold. He is the only means by which we can enter the fold of God.
We get to respond to the calling of his voice and gain access to the Kingdom of God through Jesus.
There are many people who want to say that all roads lead to God. That every religion and belief system has similarities and therefore have a means of access to God.
Sort of like a mountain with God at the top - some people say there are lots of different ways to get there.
But they fail to take into account what God has said about it.
Jesus/God says here that Jesus is the door and as he calls people by name to join the fold, he is the means by which they must enter.
Entry is not by good works, or changed thinking, but only through faith in Jesus.
In addition to gathering the flock, in this passage we learn that as shepherd…
Jesus guards the flock (11-18)
Jesus guards the flock (11-18)
because a shepherd has a special care for their own sheep, he is willing to do extraordinary things in order to protect his flock.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
David, in the Old Testament, talked about times when he had to defend his flock from the attacks of bears and lions. As a young man, he willingly risked his life for the sheep (1 Sam. 17:34-36).
in the Middle East, shepherds lay down at night at the entrance to the fold. They would sleep there in order to provide protection from predators. They would be able to hear the approaching animals or robbers and would awake to protect the flock.
In a similar way, Jesus lays down his life - in this I believe he is referring to his death, burial and resurrection. By becoming the perfect sacrifice for our sins, he guards us from eternal punishment and separation from God. He cares for you and gave up his life for you!
But in addition to this, as the guardian of the flock, Jesus not only protects us from eternal judgment, but also protects us from the wolves of this world. He has said:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
As we learn to obey Jesus’ teaching, we work toward an abundant life - a life of flourishing. Following Jesus’ teaching guards us from things in this world that would seek to kill us. Now, that’s not to say their won’t be difficulties. There is a significant correlation between suffering and the Kingdom of God.
Let me illustrate this with a family example.
In our house, we leave most of our keys in a certain spot - the keys to the house, the keys to the cars, etc. Our kids know where those keys are.
In an effort to be “happy” for a moment and have fun, they could take the keys, start the car and drive. But, the problem is they don’t know how.
Instead, as our kids approached driving age, we began to teach them about the rules of the road. We began to help them understand how a car operates and how to solve problems.
Once our kids got their learners permits, we would take them out in the car. Teaching them how to go, stop, use their signals, where to look on the road. They submitted to learning from us because we know more. We understand what will help them succeed as drivers.
In fact, when I was learning to drive, my mom did that with me. There was a day when she drove over to a local parking lot (actually a church parking lot) so I can learn how to drive a stick shift - or a manual transmission car. For the better part of an hour, we drove around and around in that parking lot. Now, at that time, I didn’t have my learners permit. I wasn’t allowed to drive on the road. But after all of the practice, I asked if I could drive home. It was only a mile or so and my mom said yes. Immediately, I had butterflies in my stomach - and I think so did she - because I wasn’t supposed to be on the road. But I pulled out anyway. Joined with the other traffic and began to drive. So far so good. But then we came to a stop light. I stopped with everyone around me. When it was time to go, I stalled the car. Immediately, my mom began to panic, I started getting more and more nervous - cars were passing us. I tried as fast as I could get the car started and moving - it really didn’t take too long, but it was stressful. We made it home and released a big sigh of relief. That was the last time I drove on the road without my permit or a license. If I would have been caught, there is a chance I could have been delayed in being able to get my license. It worked out that time.
In much the same way, as we read God’s word and align our lives with his precepts, we get protection from the consequences of foolish mistakes. the thing that makes us happy might not be the thing that is best for us. Happiness is fleeting. Holiness lasts for eternity.
(consider reading from Prov. 9) on wisdom and folly
So What!
So What!
will you respond to the call of his voice? - will you repent of your sin, will you turn to trust him?
will you follow where he leads? - will you spend time in his word and seek to align your life with his way?
where do you need to listen to the voice of Jesus or the word of God as you make decisions and form opinions on matters around us rather than just buy in to the opinions and views of the world around us?
Let’s pray.
Sources:
Beeke, Joel R. and Paul M. Smiley. Reformed Systematic Theology, Volume 2: Man and Christ. Wheaton, IL. Crossway, 2020.
Burge, Gary M. The NIV Application Commentary: John. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.
Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991.
Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
Gangel, Kenneth O. John. Vol. 4. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.
Milne, Bruce. The Message of John (The Bible Speaks Today). Downers Grove, IL. Inter-Varsity Press, 1993