The Good Shepherd

John 10:1–6 ESV

1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

The man Born Blind

The Chapter preceeding this one recounts Jesus healing the man who was born blind. Jesus exposes the unbelief of the religious leaders of the day through this healing.

After questioning the healed man and his parents the conclusion was that Jesus could not have healed this man because they perceived that he was a sinner.

Jesus is Contrasting Himself with False Shepherds

1. The Good Shepherd Gathers His Sheep

The Thief and the Robber - Try to get into the sheepfold by some other way than the door.

We remember Jesus illustration of the Banquet feast.

Jesus in Luke 14:12-24. The parable is about a banquet where invitations are sent out but, the guests make excuses for not coming. The host becomes angry and orders his servant to invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame instead.

The parable teaches that people should accept God's invitation to live with him in the sheepfold.

During the feast the king noticed a man “who was not wearing wedding clothes” (verse 11). When asked how he came to be there without the furnished attire, the man had no answer and was promptly ejected from the feast “outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (verses 12-13). Jesus then ends the parable with this statement: “For many are invited, but few are chosen” (verse 14).

He who Enters by the Door - The good shepherd Jesus is identified as the one who enters by the door.

Gatekeeper Opens - We see the Father as the Gatekeeper who opens the door of the sheepfold only for Him.

a). The Sheep hear His voice. : For Many are invited but, few are chosen.

b). He calls His Own Sheep by Name : Jesus know’s who His sheep are and calls them by name.

Notice that it does not say that He calls all people by name, only those who are His sheep. This is a pre-determined calling by God. (Romans 8:29 “For those whom He foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son.)

TO KNOW: This is not so much a head knowledge but a personal intimate knowledge of God. This suggests a deep, personal knowledge and connection that could be interpreted as a form of "gnosis" - a spiritual insight or understanding achieved through a close relationship with God; essentially, Jesus is presenting himself as the source of true spiritual knowledge and understanding for those who follow him.

*Jesus Gathers as a Personal Shepherd

He know’s His sheep, He knows all your strengths, all your weaknesses, all you shortcomings. He knows if you are an older sheep who walks a little slower. He knows if you are a younger sheep who is full of energy and has a tendency to wander.

He knows when you need to rest, and when you need to eat.

Notice that the text assumes that there are other’s in the sheepfold who do not come out of the sheepfold. They are content to trust in their own religion. He only brings out those who are his own. Before Jesus even calls them they are His own. Ephesians 1:4

Ephesians 1:4 ESV

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

Notice that Jesus tells us in John 6:37 that all those who the Father has given Him will follow the Good shepherd and He will not cast them out.

How Do We Know Who are His Sheep?

The Sheep do not become His Sheep Because they Follow Him, They Follow Him Because they are His Sheep.

Note: All of the Credit and Glory go to the Shepherd not the Sheep. We tend to make the sinner the focus of the salvation story when we should make our Redeemer the focus of the Story. He is the Hero in your’s and my story.

Being Called a Sheep is not a Compliment

Sheep are not known for their intelligence. The reason that they need a shepherd is because they are dull and defenseless. They will wonder off a cliff into a gully.

They have no natural means to defend themselves from predators. On our best day we are still helpless, dumb, smelly, sheep desperately in need of a shepherd.

The religious leaders did not misunderstand his illustration. They didn’t follow because they were not His sheep in the first place.

John 10:7–10 ESV

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

2. The Good Shepherd Guards His Sheep

“Now Jesus say’s I am the door”

CSB “I am the gate.”

What does the Door Do for the Sheepfold?

The gate or the door keeps out those who are intent on harming the sheep.

What does the door do for the sheepfold? He makes a way for the sheep to enter the sheepfold.

Jesus now separates himself from all the other religious leaders who He calls hired hands. The hired hands are unable, and unwilling to do what He is prepared to do for His sheep.

When the sheep are in immediate danger from the thief who comes to steel, kill, and destroy what does the good shepherd do?

*He shows that He loves the sheep more than His own life.

Why do Jesus Sheep follow Him?

Because the sheep know the Good Shepherd and do not listen to false shepherds. Those who are His follow Him.

Our Glory is not in what we have but who we know. Jeremiah 9:23-24

Jeremiah 9:23–24 ESV

23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

The Arminian would say that we choose to follow Him by the sheer act of our own will. However, Jesus say’s that the sheep already know the shepherd and follow Him apart from our own choice or choosing.

The Universalist, say’s that all roads lead to the kingdom of God, and that we are all his sheep. Jesus say’s that there is only one road to follow and that road is through Jesus Christ the door of the sheepfold.

Rob Bell say’s in his book “love wins in the end,” that when all is said and done Love will win and God will release everyone from the consequences of Hell and let them into Heaven. Rob would say that is what makes Jesus the Good Shepherd.

Jesus say’s though that there are many who might try to get into the sheepfold by another way, but he will bind them hand and foot and throw them into the place of utter darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. The Good shepherd would not be absolutely good if He allowed those who chose to stay and not follow Him into the kingdom.

John 10:11–18 ESV

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 does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

3. The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life for His Sheep

Notice that Jesus proclaims that he lays down His life for His Sheep.

I know that this is thorny and difficult statement for many of us deal with.

Who Did Jesus Die For?

In act one we see the shepherds intimate care for His sheep because they are in imminent danger. Jesus points to the major difference between having a relationship with the shepherd and just merely being a hired hand.

a). Jesus died for His Sheep (John 10:11)

b). His Sheep will come to Him (John 4,27)

The answer may seem obvious: for the world. After all, John 1:29 says that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. And John 3:16 declares that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” As a result, many interpreters assert that Jesus died for the entire world, and not for a predestined number of people.

But what does the term “world” mean when used in association with Jesus’s death? Does it refer to everyone without distinction or to everyone without exception? There is a difference.

Everyone without distinction would mean that Jesus died for all kinds of people from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation. Everyone without exception would mean that he died for every single individual person without any exception. This latter view asserts that even those who die rejecting Jesus can say that Jesus’s blood was for them because those for whom Jesus died may or may not have faith in him.

I believe the Scripture teaches that Jesus died for all people in the world without distinction — meaning, Jesus died for all kinds of people from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation. And he died not only to give a bona fide offer of salvation to all, but to actually purchase and effect the final salvation of his elect. In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul teaches that Jesus’s death actually achieved the benefits of salvation for those for whom he died. Paul does not present Jesus’s death as hypothetically accomplishing the salvation of all people without exception, but as actually accomplishing salvation for all for whom he died.

If Jesus is the Good Shepherd who died for His Sheep, then what you need to do is simple: follow Jesus.

Don’t look elsewhere. Don’t wander away. Recognize that in him we have everything we would ever need. When we’re tired, he brings us to rest in green pastures.

When we’re thirsty, he guides us to the refreshing spring. When we’re uncertain, he leads us on the paths of righteousness. When we’re afraid, he comforts us with his presence. Follow the good shepherd. As you follow him, goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life, and on his timetable he will lead you to his house where you will dwell with Him forever.

Psalm 23 ESV

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Jesus Exposes Unbelief

John 10:22–26 ESV

22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.

Note: This is similar to the needling by those in chapter 9 who are trying to discredit the blind man’s healing as not being from God.

4. The Good Shepherd Exposes the Reasons for Unbelief.

Six percent of Americans believe the moon landing was faked. Another 5 percent are uncertain (“Conspiracy Theories”). If you were to walk down the street asking people if man walked on the moon, one out of every nine would say either “no” or “I don’t know,” which proves people are crazy. The conspiracy theorists remind me a bit of the religious leaders in Jesus’s day. In spite of the overwhelming evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, they refuse to believe. They persist in unbelief despite all they see and experience.

Can People be doing Religious things and have the Appearance of Belief while Still living in Unbelief?

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Notice Jesus said “I never knew you,” Jesus again using the intimate word for knowledge.

In case that’s not clear enough, Jesus claimed repeatedly to have been sent by God and said he was doing the work of his Father.

Their problem is not intellectual ignorance but spiritual ignorance. Jesus said in chapter 9 they’re spiritually blind (9:39). They know what Jesus said and who he claims to be, but they are lost and in darkness. From a human perspective the reason they don’t believe is because they’re unwilling to embrace the truth about Jesus.

Jesus shows them a second reason for their unbelief. He just placed the responsibility on them for their unbelief, but then he shows them the divine perspective. The reason they don’t believe is because faith has not been granted to them (10:26).

Jesus interweaves human responsibility and divine sovereignty. We have a tendency to look at this verse and interpret it, “You are not part of my flock because you do not believe,” but that’s not what Jesus says. He says, “You don’t believe because [for this reason:] you are not of my sheep.”

*We don’t believe to become God’s sheep. We believe because we are God’s sheep.

John 10:27–31 ESV

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.

5. The Good Shepherd Will Not Lose One of His Sheep

A believer will never be separated from God and will be free to enjoy his presence forever, but an unbeliever will be cut off from God forever; he will never know and experience the abundant life Jesus promises.

The result of belief is safety and security in the presence of God. Jesus knows you and protects you forever. You do not need to fear what may happen because the basis of your security is not in your 401k, your physical strength, or your good works.

This passage powerfully argues for what theologians call “eternal security” or “perseverance of the saints.” It’s the truth that if Jesus saves you, you are saved for good.

If Jesus makes you alive, you’ll never die. If Jesus gives you sight, you’ll never go blind. If Jesus adopts you, you’ll never be alone. If Jesus takes you in his hands, you will be in those hands beyond the bounds of time.

The Apostle Paul made it clear that no one can separate you from the Love of Christ.

Romans 8:35–39 ESV

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

CONCLUSION

Only by the sovereign Mercy and grace of God alone are we found among the flock of believers in the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ.

But, like the election of Jesus our election is one of sacrifice and service. to receive His Grace is to be committed to share the gospel of Christ and His grace to all the World. That some might believe and be Saved. The called are Chosen, and the Chosen are Commissioned to the Glory of God alone. Amen.