It Begins

It Begins When we look at the gospels we see names that are given to Jesus.. I want to share those with you to start this morning. • Jesus , Yeshua Meaning "The Lord saves" or "God is salvation." The angel instructs Mary and Joseph to name Him this because "he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31). This name emphasizes His role as Savior throughout the Gospels. • Jesus of Nazareth or Refers to His hometown (e.g., Matthew 21:11; Mark 1:24; John 19:19). It highlights His humble origins. • Emmanuel - Meaning "God with us." Fulfilled in Matthew 1:23 (quoting Isaiah 7:14), underscoring the incarnation-God becoming human. • Christ (Greek: Christos): Meaning "Anointed One" (equivalent to Hebrew Messiah). It points to Jesus as the promised King, Prophet, and Priest from the Old Testament. • Son of God: Affirms His divine sonship and unique relationship with the Father. Matthew 16:16; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35 • Son of Man: Jesus' favorite self-designation (used about 80 times across the Gospels It draws from Daniel 7:13-14 (a heavenly figure with authority) while emphasizing His humanity and suffering. It highlights His role in judgment, forgiveness, and resurrection. • Lord (Kyrios): A title of authority and divinity • Son of David: Links Jesus to the royal line of David as the promised Messiah-King. • King of the Jews / King of Israel: Acknowledged at His birth "I Am" "I Am" declarations, echoing from God's name in Exodus 3:14: • Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48, 51): Sustains spiritual life, like manna but eternal. • Light of the World (John 8:12; 9:5): Brings truth and dispels darkness. • Gate/ for the Sheep (John 10:7, 9): Provides access to salvation and safety. • Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14): Lays down His life for the sheep "The Lord is my shepherd" imagery in parables). • The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25): Victory over death. • The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6): Exclusive path to the Father. • The True Vine (John 15:1, 5): Source of spiritual fruitfulness for believers. I want to look at one in particular today- Jesus calls Himself the good Shepherd John 10:14-15nasb) '14I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, ' '15even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. ' This is one of the most intimate and sacrificial I AM statements of Jesus. It reveals His character, authority, and mission while sharply contrasting Him with false leaders. ~ The imagery would have resonated deeply with Jesus' first-century Jewish audience, who lived in an agrarian society familiar with shepherds and sheep. ~In ancient Israel and the Near East, shepherds were common but often viewed as lowly. ~Sheep were vulnerable-prone to wandering, easily injured, and targets for predators (wolves, lions) or thieves. ~Shepherds led flocks to pasture and water, protected them, tended wounds, carried weak lambs, and knew each sheep individually by sight, markings, or even name. ~At night, sheep were gathered into a sheepfold-a stone enclosure with a single entrance. ~The shepherd often lay across the opening as the literal "door," using his body for protection. Key Old Testament Connections- • Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd • Ezekiel 34:15(nasb) '15I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest," declares the Lord God. This is God himself saying I WILL LEAD THEM • Isaiah 40:11 - God gently gathers and carries lambs. • Jeremiah 31:10 and Zechariah 9-11 - God as shepherd gathering and caring for His people. • Broader imagery: Israel as God's flock (Psalm 95:7; 100:3), with leaders accountable for their care. What Makes Jesus the "Good" Shepherd in John 10 The Greek word for "good" (kalos) implies noble, excellent, or ideal-beautiful in character and action. 1. Sacrificial Love: Repeated five times in John 10:11-18-"The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." 2. Intimate Knowledge and Relationship: "I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father" (John 10:14-15). 3. Unity of the Flock: He has "other sheep that are not of this fold" (Gentiles), and He will bring them so there is "one flock, one shepherd" (John 10:16). This points to the inclusive church. 4. Authority and Obedience to the Father: Jesus lays down His life freely and has power to take it up again (John 10:17-18). His actions flow from love for the Father and alignment with the divine plan. I want you to think about something- Today is called "palm Sunday"... this is the day of Jeus triumphant entry.... People singing and praising Him... ~ but all the while Jesus knew what was going to happen...that a lot of these people would eventually be the ones yelling crucify Him.... ~ so many need to hear the gospel message....they need to meet the good shepherd.... ~ As I talked about God seeking true worshippers last week.... When we begin to grow closer to God and understand his love that's when we begin to understand what He is looking for ~next week is easter.. share the gospel before then. Invite others to come and be apart of our worship service