The Good Shepherd

Introduction

“In chapters 7–9 we were in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles. At 10:22 we are clearly at the Feast of Dedication, about three months after Tabernacles.”

We pick up in the middle of a discussion or time when Jesus was teaching. We don’t really know what was asked of Jesus but the beginning of verse one is clearly the words of an emphatic response on the part of Jesus to something asked of Him.

Bryant, B. H., & Krause, M. S. (1998). John (). Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co.

“I tell you the truth” — Jesus is stating something emphatically...There will be, throughout history, many who will lead people astray…lead them away from the truth concerning God, Christ and the Gospel. These are sheep stealers.

These are those who preach salvation by any means other than Jesus and Jesus alone. Anyone who denies the identity and mission of Jesus and preaches a religion whereby mankind is saved by anything other than, or in addition to Jesus, is a sheep stealer.

The story is told of four high school boys who couldn't resist the temptation to skip morning classes. Each had been smitten with a bad case of spring fever. After lunch they showed up at school and reported to the teacher that their car had a flat tire. Much to their relief, she smiled and said, "Well, you missed a quiz this morning, so take your seats and get out a pencil and paper." Still smiling, she waited as they settled down and got ready for her questions. Then she said, "First question--which tire was flat?"

Then she said, "First question--which tire was flat?"

The Obvious — Sheep stealers will use any and all means to deceive but they will be obvious to the sheep because they seek to enter the pen by means other than the gate. Their message will be obvious to genuine followers of Christ because it will be an attempt to in some way, form or fashion, to circumvent the necessity of Jesus and His Cross.

They will attempt to dilute or minimize the efficacy of the Cross…They will attempt to diminish it’s meaning, power and affect to save souls.

Jesus was dealing with such men in the Pharisees and Sadduccees…these and those before them who denied the identity of the coming Messiah, or who themselves claimed to be the Messiah, are who Jesus has in mind here.

But we see such men throughout history since the resurrection of Jesus. Those who come in attempts to steal the souls of men from the Gospel of Christ.

Paul dealt with it when the Judaizers came to the church he planted in Galatia. They taught the believer that they needed to obey the law of Moses, follow the Jewish festivals and customs plus believe in the death of Christ for their sins in order to be saved.

We see this in our experience as well don’t we? In 21st century America we see it in the cults which have grown up over the last century and a half. Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons being two examples. The rise of atheism and agnosticism are two other examples of those who attempt to steal souls

Then there are the world religion around us. Every single world religion other than Christianity teaches that salvation, in some capacity, is the result of merit earned by the works of man. Christianity says the only way to a right relationship with God is by God’s grace through faith in the identity and mission of Jesus.

The leaders in the day of Jesus, world religions and cults around us are led by thieves and robbers. They brutalize and use the sheep for their own ends. There is no freedom, peace or salvation to be found in their teaching. These groups follow a works based doctrine of salvation and it is exhausting to its adherents. An exhaustion which ultimately leads not to rest but death.

Jesus is the true Shepherd of the souls of mankind. He is the one who lays His life down for His sheep. He died to pay for our sins and only those who believe and trust in Him have access to a relationship with God. He leads us into abundant, eternal life!

The True Shepherd

The true Shepherd enters the sheep pen, the world, by the gate and calls His sheep to Himself.

The picture here is of several families who keep their sheep in a common pen. They hire a watchman to protect and oversee the sheep during the night. The morning comes, the shepherd is recognized by the watchman and enters the pen where he calls His sheep out to follow Him.

During her second month of nursing school, the professor gave the students a quiz. The last question stumped most people in the class. It read “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” All the students had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would any of them know her name? Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward their grade. “Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello”. The students never forgotten that lesson. They also learned her name was Dorothy.

All the students had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would any of them know her name? Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward their grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello”.

The students never forgotten that lesson. They also learned her name was Dorothy.

It is an interesting point here that the shepherd calls the sheep out by name. He doesn’t just make a general call so the sheep recognize his voice and follow Him. He calls their name, they recognize His voice and leave the pen to follow Him.

During her second month of nursing school, the professor gave the students a quiz. The last question stumped most people in the class. It read “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” All the students had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would any of them know her name? Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward their grade. “Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello”. The students never forgotten that lesson. They also learned her name was Dorothy.

How do you believe Jesus sees you? Part of the herd? Part of the congregation? Just one of the many? A number among billions? The truth is Jesus sees you as a person, an individual, a unique creation of His hands. And as the person you are right now He loves you…so much that He calls your name.

Those who recognize the voice of Jesus follow Him out of the sheep pen. They hear His voice, know He is their shepherd and leave the crowd behind.

Once all of His sheep are out of the pen…called out of the world…He walks in front of them and leads them to where they might be completely provided for and taken care of. Unlike western shepherds who walked behind their sheep and drove them to the place they wanted them to go…Eastern shepherds walked in front of and led their sheep to the place they wanted them to go.

Jesus calls you by name from the world…if you would hear His voice and follow Him, He will lead you to the place where you might enjoy life in Him.

Shepherd — The shepherd in David’s Psalm provided for the sheep all they would ever need so that they need not ever live in want…He made the sheep lie down in green pastures...for a sheep to ever lie down he had to feel complete security…So Jesus would provide complete and total security to those who followed Him.

Psalm 23 ESV

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Lead beside quiet waters — Sheep will not drink from moving water…they will also drink from any still water they find regardless of whether it is clean or filthy and polluted. The good shepherd provides good water, healthy water and still water so the sheep are satisfied. He is the Living Water and in Him our spiritual thirst is quenched when we follow Him.

Restores my soul — Sheep are fat and off balance…they fall over and can’t get up…cannot right themselves…the shepherd gently picks them up and gets them on their feet again when they fall…Jesus does the same for us every time we sin, confess and repent.

Guides us in Paths of Righteousness — Jesus leads us (walks before us) into His way of doing things. He convicts, supports, encourages and empowers us to follow His leadership before us. And we do it all…follow Him…for His glory…so that He might be known…so His identity, mission and power is seen in our life.

Even though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death — Shepherds would lead the sheep up the steep mountain passes with predators around every turn in order to get them to the higher grazing lands during the hot and arid times of Summer. This can obviously be a terrifying journey for sheep who could easily fall off the path to their death of be attacked and eaten by a predator.

Rod and Staff comfort me — With the rod the shepherd corrects the sheep when they begin to wander off the right and safe path up the mountain passes...With the staff, the shepherd fights and defeats the predators along the way…both comfort the sheep along the journey the shepherds planned provision for his life.

Prepare a table before me — The shepherd prepares a place for the sheep to have their needs provided for right in the middle of the enemies which seek to devour him. they look on…they are there…they are ready to pounce upon and devour the sheep at any moment…but the sheep are at peace because of the presence of the shepherd.

We see a picture of what a shepherd was in ancient Israel…something of what is meant by the use of this metaphor by Jesus. Jesus calls our name, leads us, makes us secure, satisfies our spiritual thirst, guides us into His plan and will for our life to His glory, protects, corrects and keeps us secure on the journey that is life between now and heaven.

And all of this by grace through faith alone. He is the one doing the work…our job is to follow!

And once you have heard the voice of Jesus and followed Him…you know His voice and cannot be stolen away.

“Travelers in modern Palestine have sometimes been able to document this. It appears that strangers, even when dressed in the shepherd’s clothing and attempting to imitate his call, succeed only in making the sheep run away. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice but do not know and do not respond to that of a stranger.”

Travelers in modern Palestine have sometimes been able to document this. It appears that strangers, even when dressed in the shepherd’s clothing and attempting to imitate his call, succeed only in making the sheep run away. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice but do not know and do not respond to that of a stranger.

Conclusion

Morris, L. (1995). The Gospel according to John (p. 448). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

You are not one among the many. You are a unique, wonderfully made, beautiful individual for whom the Son of God left heaven, came to earth and died. He loves you.

Jesus is your security in the midst of an often scary and insecure world. He is the one who satisfies your spiritual thirst.

Jesus doesn’t sit around heaven frustrated with your failures and sin. He gently picks you up, dusts you off and leads you back on the path of righteousness. He comforts, protects, corrects and guides.

Jesus has an interest in you personally and He is leading you to what we will see next week is called abundant life…a life to the full…not in the sense of cars and money…but in the sense of everything that really matters…the thirst of your soul satisfied, forgiveness, love, mercy and relationship with Him.

Do you understand, believe and trust the truth of how Jesus feels about you this morning? How does such a thought impact your life at this very moment?