The Good Shepherd

John 10:1–11 KJV 1900

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. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 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. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

What’s Good to God

Good Spaces

Good works

What is a shepherd? A shepherd is an over seer or watcher of sheep. Their job is to watch over the flock and make sure the sheep are safe, well fed, healthy, and most importantly accounted for. Sheep are simple minded, easily scared, and pretty much defenseless. They’re not known to be violent creatures and possess no threatening defense mechanisms. Sheep can’t swim, aren’t very fast, and aren’t exceptional climbers they can however jump on average as high as 2-3 feet. All in all the make up of the sheep suggests that it is not a creature that can survive on it’s own.

The natural benefits of sheep are

Sheep are easy to handle and generally require little input.

Sheep production does not require elaborate facilities and equipment.

Sheep consume roughage as their primary feed.

Sheep help control weeds.

Sheep provide two sources of cash income: lamb and wool.

Sheep require a minimum amount of supplemental feeding.

A shepherd properly caring for his sheep will see a consistent flowing business and a quick return on their investment.

But why a shepherd? Of all the parables and comparisons Jesus could’ve made about himself and the revelation he could have given concerning who he was vs others why did he choose the word shepherd? He’s taught about great feasts thrown by a king why not liken himself a prince, he’s taught about being a son of a great man and could have revealed who he is in so many other ways that I’m sure the disciples would have gotten a quicker revelation yet he chooses, a shepherd. Additionally he not only calls himself the shepherd but he calls himself the door of the sheep, as well as the shepherd who lies down his life for the sheep.

Door of the Sheep

In verses 3-5 Jesus describes the process of a shepherd going to collect his sheep from the collection of flocks, in how sheep over night would all be flocked together in an enclosure. Well robbers and wild predatory animals would also want the sheep but had no access, because the door was closed and if sheep wanted to get out to pasture or to their shepherd when he would call them by their name, they would have to have the door opened and hear their calling.

Jesus said he was the door and by saying this he was explaining that in order to be in and of the fold and have access to the pasture you could have to go through him. There was no access to life except you walk through the door. Walking through the door is important.

Jumping over that wall is leaping to uncertainty,

Robbers would wait to steal you from your

purpose

flock

provision

Predators would lurk to kill

your future

your purpose

Sheep risks unnecessary injury

causes blemishing

leaves scarring

creates a space of trauma and anxiety

Walking through the door is better for the sheep because they now can encounter the Shepherd.

This is the access to God through Jesus.

The Shepherd (King)

In this parable Jesus also talks about the door being held open for the shepherd to come in and call the sheep, by their name. He says Jn 10:3-5

John 10:3–5 KJV 1900

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

He talks about the shepherd now being in the enclosure to collect his sheep. (Are you his sheep?)

The importance of the call!

Here’s the thing when the Shepherd goes into the enclosure he calls for his sheep, by their name. And his sheep will come not only as their name is called but as they recognize the voice of the caller.

Does he know your name?

Names are personal and individual

What you call me can tell me what I need to be prepared for

Do you know his voice

Who’s influencing you to action (God’s Voice, the Enemy’s Voice, Your own Voice)

So what Jesus is teaching in this moment is the those that are of his pasture know his voice and he is calling them. On the other side though, those whom he is not calling and or aren’t heading his call will run from him.

Everyone is not called, and sometimes it’s the one’s you are in close proximity to.

Family

Friends

Fellow people in the temple

How do you know? Because the called hear his voice and choose not to move and the uncalled are unbothered or fearful of his voice (the willfully wicked).

An identifier of a sheep of Jesus is his lordship in their life. Is Jesus their Lord?

In Psalm 23 King David, who was the king of Israel, and also a shepherd prior to his election says Psalm 23:1-3

Psalm 23:1–3 KJV 1900

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

He says the Lord is his shepherd the he says, the Lord

Makes

Leads

Restores

Remember if Jesus is the Shepherd then we are the Sheep, so that means Jesus should be making us, leading us and ultimately restoring us.As a sheep if you

find yourself in desolate or dead like places check your lordship

finding yourself in turbulent waters-check your lordship

finding that your souls has no rest or is lacking check your lordship

struggling to walk in righteousness check your lordship

Anyone that is fighting the lordship of Jesus or ignoring it all together, aren’t his sheep.

The Shepherd (Savior)

The final piece of the parable is two fold. Jesus says that JN 10:10-11

John 10:10–11 KJV 1900

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. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

and

John 10:15 KJV 1900

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Jesus presents himself as the savior not just for anyone but for the sheep. Now this seems contrary or contradictory to John 3:16 right but let’ examine that really quickly, it says

John 3:16 KJV 1900

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.