Discipleship 14

Jesus Our Shepherd

This week we will continue our study of Jesus discipling his disciples. This weeks scripture is not included in the list of signs, but it includes 2 of the I AM statements. I am the sheep gate and I am the good shepherd. These make use of everyday illustrations to make a point to his disciples and to the Jewish leaders as well as to the general public. First let us consider the sheep gate. Being a shepherd was a lonely occupation. Some of the land in the region was not suitable for growing crops. It was rocky, hilly and the grass that grew was sparse. Sheep would wander over a great distance to find enough grass to eat. the shepherd had to be constantly on the alert for straying sheep and alert for wild animals. One account that I read portrayed the shepherd standing, leaning on his staff, half asleep, but always on duty. One commentator suggested that a shepherd might gather branches and brush from the area in which he planned to stay and build a temporary enclosure for the night. Shepherds who were located closer to the cities would make use of a sheep fold. It might have been a small enclosure with only one way in. after the sheep were inside the shepherd would lie down across the opening and would be able to sleep knowing that anything going in or out would have to go over or through him. Other sheep folds would be larger and multiple shepherds would bring their sheep into the fold for the night and there would be a gate keeper or one known as the sheep gate who would be on duty overnight so that the other shepherds could rest undisturbed. I read an account of a cave near Bethlehem that is used as a sheep fold. It has been in use for many years. the sheep dung is over four feet deep. Some suggest that this cave might have been in use at the time of Jesus.

John records Jesus’ words in chapter ten . Jesus makes reference to the larger type of sheep pen. He says that anyone who does not enter the fold by the gate is a robber or thief and he declares that he is the shepherd of the sheep and the gatekeeper will open the gate for him. The shepherd will go in and his sheep will follow him.

When Jesus declares himself to be the shepherd he is declaring that he is king. It was common practice to refer to the king as the shepherd of the people. Ezekiel 34.23

Ezekiel 34:23 NIV

I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.

This verse makes reference to David being the shepherd of Israel. Chapter 34 speaks of the children of Israel being his sheep, that they have been scattered by false teachers, (the pharisees) they have been starved by the lack of preaching of God’s Word and they have been prey of wild beasts. God says that he will seek out his sheep and gather them out of the countries to which they have been scattered.

A prince over them. David was king, God declared him to be a man after his own heart. The Pharisees knew from scripture that the Messiah would be from the kingly line of David. Jesus is not only declaring himself to be shepherd and king he is connecting himself to the lineage of David with this statement.

My sheep follow me because they know my voice.

The person who described the shepherd out in the wilderness leaning on his staff went on to describe a visit to a sheep fold. When it was morning and time to go out to pasture the different shepherds would call their sheep and they would follow their shepherd. He described the different calls as being all most a language in themselves. They were unintelligible to him but the sheep knew their shepherd and followed him. I find it ironic that people refer to sheep as being stupid, unable to fend for themselves and need a shepherd to guard and guide them. And yet they are able to distinguish their shepherds voice and follow him. We are compared to sheep over forty times in scripture. this begs the question do we hear our Jesus our shepherd and follow him?

Its been a long time since we had an infant in our lives. Since Tim and Amanda have moved back to Pennsylvania we get to see their daughter Ava Mae frequently. This small child recognizes the voice of her family members, especially her mother. She hesitates to go to strangers even at 3 months of age. It should be no surprise that sheep would not follow strangers, but will follow their shepherd.

John writes that the pharisees did not understand what Jesus was saying to them. He called them robbers and thieves, the people did not listen to them. In verse 7 Jesus states; I Am the gate and he says it again in verse 9. There is no other way. His sheep will enter through him, they will go in and out to good pasture. This is a reference to salvation, only possible through Jesus. Also the reference to good pasture. In the 23rd Psalm the reference is to green pasture. When I think of green pasture I think of lush grass. Not something brown and dried up. Jesus’ sheep will have an abundance, in this life and also in heaven with him. Now I am not saying that Jesus’ followers will have wealth in the form of money or things. It will be an abundance of God’s love, the care of the good shepherd. Life that is beyond what we can imagine.

There are a lot of Jewish stories that have been told to explain some of the events in the Bible. William Barclay records one that is told of Moses. We know that Moses fled Egypt and went to Midian where he became a shepherd and married one of Jethro’s daughters . He tended sheep for forty years. One day a young kid ran away. Moses followed it until it reached a ravine where it found water. Moses spoke to the kid and said; I didn’t know that you ran away because you were thirsty. Now you must be weary. He took the kid on his shoulders and carried it back. The result God said because you have shown pity leading a flock of sheep, you shall led my flock Israel.

The second part of this scripture is the I AM the good shepherd. that he will lay down his life for his sheep. When we think of the shepherd out in the fields watching his sheep we know that he will fight to his death to protect his sheep. In verse 12 we read of the hired hand who does not care for his sheep because they are not his. when danger comes (a wolf is suggested) he runs away. The wolf then scatters the sheep.

Jesus criticizes the Jewish leaders for not caring for the people, his sheep. They are scattered by false teaching and lack of care by the ones who should be leading them. He states that he knows his sheep and his sheep hear his voice. I lay down my life for my sheep. this is in reference to his death on the cross. Jesus willingly went to the cross to pay the price for our sins. In so doing he is bringing his sheep to him.

He also says that he has sheep that are not of this fold. This is the inclusion of the gentile nations. This was difficult for the Jews to understand and accept, but it is so important for you and I because it allows us to be part of his flock.

We can look at 4 points in this scripture.

1. Sacrifice; Jesus was telling his disciples that he would lay down his life for his sheep. the promise of protection and salvation.

2. Love; God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to be the good shepherd to guide and protect his sheep, but also to be the perfect lamb sacrificed for our sin.

3. he cares for us; unlike the hired hand Jesus is all in. His love is beyond all measure. We can’t comprehend all that he has done for us. All we can do is accept his love, and the free gift of salvation to all who believe.

4. It is personal; Jesus knows us. He said I know my sheep and my sheep know me. Jesus calls us by name. It’s not hey you, it is a loving , caring, personal relationship that is available only through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Do you hear his voice? If yes that is a good thing.

Do you follow him? that might be harder, but have faith he will guard and protect you. He will lead you in his path because he loves you exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ever ask or think.