I am the Good Shepherd

Recap

- Last week we’ve looked at Jesus when he claimed to be the door of the sheep.

- Jesus is the one who is at the gate guarding and watching for the protection of his sheep.

- The sheep knows his voice and ignore the voice of the stranger.

Introduction

- The job of a shepherd is to watch over and protect his sheep.

- Remember when David was protecting his father’s sheep from the bear and the lion?

The Shepherd’s Love (John 10:11-13)

- Jesus claims to be the good shepherd, and the job of a good shepherd is to lay down his life for his sheep. (Isa 40:11)

- The Shepherd is willing to sacrifice his own life so that the sheep could live.

- The person who is hired to watch the sheep has no connection to the sheep like the shepherd does.

- The hireling has no skin in the game. He is just in it for the paycheck.

- This sure sounds a lot like many of the religious leaders of the day.

- We see this as the contrast to the good shepherd, as one who doesn’t flee when danger comes.

The Shepherd’s Voice (John 10:14-16)

- Jesus repeats again the phrase “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:27)

- The good shepherd knows his sheep, and the sheep know him.

- Jesus again claims to know the Father, and the Father knows him.

- Again, the good Shepherd will lay down his life for the sheep. (John 15:13)

- The Good Shepherd will self-sacrificially lay down his life so that others might have life.

- Jesus now mentions these other sheep.

- Many scholars believe the sheep mentioned in the previous verse refer to the Jews who have followed Jesus. (Isaiah 56:8)

- The other flock they believe are Gentiles, and both flocks will be joined together with one Shepherd. (John 11:52) (Mark 14:27-28)

The Shepherd’s Power (John 10:17-21)

- The reason why the Father loves the Shepherd is because he willingly lays down His life.

- The Good Shepherd lays down his life so that he might take it again.

- Jesus laid down His life willingly, no man took it from Him.

- Christ has the power to lay down his life and take it back again.

- This was Jesus’ entire purpose of coming to Earth (John 6:38)

- Just like with all of Jesus’ “I am” statements, people were confused and divided on his teachings.