*John 10:1-18
Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd who knows his flock, protects them, and will even sacrifice himself for them.
- The True Shepherd:
- Jesus begins by contrasting the true shepherd with thieves and robbers.
- The true shepherd enters the sheepfold through the gate, while thieves and robbers climb in another way.
- The Shepherd’s Voice:
- The sheep recognize the shepherd’s voice and follow him, but they will not follow strangers.
- The shepherd leads them out of the pen and goes ahead, guiding them to pasture.
- Jesus as the Gate:
- Jesus refers to Himself as the gate for the sheep.
- Those who enter through Him will be saved and will find pasture.
- The Thief’s Intentions:
- The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus comes to give life abundantly.
- The Good Shepherd:
- Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
- Unlike a hired hand who flees when danger approaches, Jesus remains committed to protecting His flock.
- The Intimate Relationship:
- Jesus emphasizes the personal relationship between Himself and His followers, likening it to His relationship with the Father.
- He knows His sheep and is known by them.
- One Flock, One Shepherd:
- Jesus expresses His intention to unite all His followers into a single flock under His leadership.
- Willing Sacrifice:
- Jesus highlights that He lays down His life voluntarily, not out of compulsion.
- He has authority from the Father to lay down His life and to take it up again.
John 10:1-18 teaches us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who loves, protects, and guides His people. Just as sheep know and follow their shepherd’s voice, we are called to listen to Jesus and trust Him. In a world full of distractions and false promises, He is the only one who truly leads us to life and peace. This passage reminds us that Jesus gave His life for us because of His deep love, and we can find security and purpose by staying close to Him.
John 10:1-18 (WEB)
10:1 “Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn’t enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don’t know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn’t understand what he was telling them.7 Jesus therefore said to them again, “Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out and will find pasture. 10 The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; 15 even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.”