*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.
10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
10:16 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.
10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
10:18 No man taketh 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.