I am the Good Shepherd

John Wilson

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Introduction

1) Come O fount (1164) 2) The Lord is my Shepherd (Psalter 23) 3) Great is Thy Faithfulness. (200) 4) What a Friend We have in Jesus (746)

It is estimated that there are about 2.19 Billion Christians in the world today. Think about that, as we gather for worship this morning and later today, millions and millions around the world are also gathering, Thats extraordinary!

Thats extraordinary!

They are gathering in different contexts, some will be meeting in deserts, some in run down schools, mud huts, some even in tree houses, some will be gathering in countries where being a Christian is illegal. Many will walk miles and miles today just to be with other Christians on the Lords day.

Followers of Jesus were first called Christians at Antioch. It was meant as a slur, as an insult meaning “little Christs” and the Christians embraced it as a badge of honour.

When Christians were first being persecuted it wasn't because they followed Jesus or worshipped him as God. It was because they worshiped him exclusively and they willingly gave up their lives

For many around the world, to followJesus as a sheep follow a shepherd is a truly dangerous calling. To be a Christian is to put your life on the line. For many, to convert to Christianity and follow the the Good shepherd exclusively, means to be ostracised and rejected, even by your own friends and family.

For many, to convert to Christianity follow the the Good shepherd exclusively, means to be ostracised and rejected, to even be forsaken by your own friends and family.

They are worshipping and singing to Jesus.

Why

What is it about Jesus then?

What is it about Jesus.

Recap

Last week we considered what Jesus meant when he described himself as the Door of the Sheep and we discovered that only through Jesus do we Do we enter the blessing of God, only through Jesus do we find Sanctuary, Salvation, Sustenance and Life.

But Jesus doesn't just describe himself as the door to Gods blessing. He also describes himself as the Good Shepherd? “I am the Good Shepherd”

Defining Terms

Typically Two greek adjectives Αγαθοσ and καλοσ. καλοσ is used here and It is more than just moral uprightness and integrity, it carries connotations of beauty and perfection, some translations will translate it as “I am the shepherd the beautiful shepherd.”

Spurgeon therfore said: He is the good, the great, the chief Shepherd; but he is much more. Emblems to set him forth may be multiplied as the drops of the morning, but the whole multitude will fail to reflect all his brightness. Creation is too small a frame in which to hang his likeness. Human thought is too contracted, human speech too feeble, to set him forth to the full.… He is inconceivably above our conceptions, unutterably above our utterances

Big Idea

But Jesus doesn't just describe himself as the door to Gods blessing. He also describes himself as the Good Shepherd? “I am the Good Shepherd”

What is is about Jesus? This morning we are going to consider that question : What is So Good about the Good Shepherd?

What is So Good about the Good Shepherd.

What is so compellingly about the Good shepherd that would cause billions of sheep throughout human history to love, adore and forsake all, in order to follow him?

compels people Sunday after Sunday to get up and go to church?

What is so Good about the Good Shepherd that causes sheep to endure persecution, harassment, torture, mockery and derision for his namesake, testifying that he is the Son of God even to the point of death?

What is so Good about the good shepherd that so captivates his sheep, that they begin to turn their backs on sinful living, with Holy repentance and live transformed lives?

What is so Good about the Good shepherd that missionaries will endure extreme hardship to take his message to the ends of the earth?

What is is about Jesus?

This morning we are going to consider that question : What is So Good about the Good Shepherd?

Defining Terms

Before we turn to our text for answers. We should first define some terms. What does Jesus mean when he refers to himself as “Good?”

The Greek word for “Good” in this instance is καλοσ. It is more than just moral uprightness and integrity, it carries connotations of beauty and perfection in action, some translations will translate it as “I am the shepherd, the beautiful shepherd.” This doesn't mean that he was any more physically beautiful than an ordinary Jew, but that there was a sheer attraction about his nature, and what he was saying and doing.

Spurgeon picking up on this sense said: “He is the good, the great, the chief Shepherd; but he is so much more. Emblems to set him forth may be multiplied as the drops of the morning, but the whole multitude will fail to reflect all his brightness. Creation is too small a frame in which to hang his likeness. Human thought is too contracted, human speech too feeble, to set him forth to the full.… He is inconceivably above our conceptions, unutterably above our utterances”

Spurgeon therfore said: “He is the good, the great, the chief Shepherd; but he is much more. Emblems to set him forth may be multiplied as the drops of the morning, but the whole multitude will fail to reflect all his brightness. Creation is too small a frame in which to hang his likeness. Human thought is too contracted, human speech too feeble, to set him forth to the full.… He is inconceivably above our conceptions, unutterably above our utterances”

never-theless less we will attempt to answer this question

What is so Good about the Good Shepherd?

What is so Beautiful? What is so Compelling about the good Shepherd that his sheep follow him?

Three things:

Three things

He is good because he Knows his Sheep

He is good because lays down his life for the Sheep.

He is good because he is both Messiah and God.

1)He Knows his Sheep

John 10:14–15 NIV

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:14 NIV

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

Here we have a picture of mutual Intimacy. The shepherd is not merely aquatinted with his sheep, he knows them because they are his (my sheep), they belong to him, he has a personal vested interest in their welbeing because they are his property.

Contrast With a hired hand

John 10:12–13 NIV

The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

John 10:12–13 NIV

Jesus is saying he is not like the pharisees and other would-be shepherds.

They run away when a wolf comes. Illustration. - “They dont pay me enough for this” Jeseus by Contrast cares for actually cares for the sheep.

The Knowledge the sheep have of the Shepherd is more than an intellectual understanding of his identity. It is experiential knowledge. it is an experience of loving fellowship.

Illustration - Everybody knows that Honey is sweet, but not everyone has tasted honey, and this is the sense of the biblical word for “Know” Jesus sheep Know he is good by experience.

Early Christians. - Followers of Jesus were first called Christians at Antioch. It was meant as a slur, as an insult meaning “little Christs” and the Christians embraced it as a badge of honour. Christians are still mocked today. Mockery, will never disuade Jesus’ true sheep from following the Good shepherd, because they have an experiential knowledge that transends mere proof of his existence... They know him, they have tasted and discovered that he is Good, that he is sweet to taste.

Mockery, will never disuade Jesus’ true sheep from following the Good shepherd, because they have an experiential knowledge that transends mere proof of his existence... They know him, they have tasted and discovered that he is Good, that he is sweet to taste.

The knowledge that Jesus has for his sheep is grounded in The Fathers Love for the Son.

John 10:15a NIV

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

This is mind blowing! Think about that. The love that the Shepherd has for the Sheep is modled after the love of the Father for the Son. It is as if Jesus said that it is no more possible for Him to be oblivious of his sheep than for the Father to reject or neglect his only Son.

This knowledge is grounded in The Fathers Love for the Son. This is mind blowing! Think about that, think about how much the Father loves the Son. This is the same love that the Shepherd has for the Sheep.

Christian never doubt the Love of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Baker New Testament Commentary: John 10:6–21

It is here a knowledge of experience and of loving fellowship. Jesus acknowledges his own (as his true disciples); they acknowledge him (as their Lord). Nothing could be more wonderful

Christian never, never doubt the Love of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Application

Christian never, never doubt the Love of God for you in Christ Jesus. You are not just another number, your not just another cog in the machine. You are not just another sheep, you are uniquely known and loved by the good shepherd and called to know him and make him known to others

How is it that Christians throughout history have been surrendering their lives to the shepherd and in some cases laying down their lives for the the advancement of the Gospel.

How can you know he loves you? How is it that Christians throughout history have been so sure of his love that they have surrender their lives to the shepherd, in some cases laying down their lives for the the advancement of the Gospel.

How many

How can we know.

2) He layed down his life for the Sheep.

Just read beggining

John 10:15–18 NIV

15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to 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 authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

There is a saying - Actions speak louder than words. Jesus didn’t Just say he was going to lay down his life. He went and did it.. and he did it because the love of the Father for him and his love for the sheep.

Jesus was no helpless victim, “he said no one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again” thats the love of Jesus for the Sheep right there. He lays his life down willingly. Jesus went to the cross willingly, purposefully, and mercifully. As the old hymn goes:

“he could have come down from the cross but the you and I would have been lost, it wasn’t the nails that held him there it was his love.”

What is it about the the love of the good shepherd that has caused Christians to lay down their lives in order to testify to his love and his Gospel.

What is it about the the love of the good shepherd that has caused Christians throughout history to lay down their lives in order to testify to his love and to his Gospel.

Early Christians weren’t persecuted because they worshipped Jesus the Good shepherd, but because they worshipped Jesus exclusively. They understood that the Good Shepherd was wonderfully and passionately Jealous over his sheep, to the point that he would give up his own life to rescue them, that he would not share them with other “so called Gods” So Captivated by this knowledge many willingly gave up their own lives, facing roaring lions and baiting crowds, in order to worship him alone, They knew that even in the face of death, goodness and mercy would follow them.

Speaking of this transformation and bravery of men and woman in the face of death. Early church father athenasius wrote. ““If men, formerly weak, now are strong against death, it is clear that the Saviour gives them a share in His victory over death. It is possible to verify this by actual sight (Speaking of the amphitheatre), therefore let no one doubt the abolition of death by the Saviour"

Early Christians. - Followers of Jesus were first called Christians at Antioch. It was meant as a slur, as an insult meaning “little Christs” and the Christians embraced it as a badge of honour.

Speaking of this bravery and transformation ,

For many around the world today the call to pick up a cross and follow me is litereal, it’s not symbolic.

What is it about the the love of the good shepherd that has caused Christians to lay down their lives in order to testify to his love and his Gospel, it is his Love for the sheep, He lays his life down.

2) The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the Sheep.

Application

John 10:15b NIV

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Objection - Thats not so special, there are plenty of people and leaders throughout history who hve given their lives for others. “I would lay down my life for a loved one, I would give my live for my country.” The bible agrees with you, Perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die, But the difference is this, God demonstrates his love for us in this way, he died while we were his enemies. () Sinners, Christ died for theUngodly ,He loved the unlovely, and he bestowed eternal value and worth upon us. Would you die for your enemy? would you love your enemy like that?

The New International Version Chapter 5

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The New International Version Chapter 5

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The Bravery of the early Christians for his sheep. (He will die for what is his) Followers of Jesus were first called Christians at Antioch. It was meant as a slur, as an insult meaning “little Christs” and the Christians embraced it as a badge of honour.

Romans 5:2 ESV

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Jesus loves his sheep in a special saving way and yet there is a wideness in Gods Mercy, I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also” () the invitation to follow the shepherd goes out to all. We all like sheep have gone astray. He wants to be your shepherd and offers salvation to all those around the world who believe in him and follow him, will you be his sheep? We all have shepherds.....will you allow him to be yours, do you hear his call this morning to follow him.

Romans 1:5 ESV

through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

The Good Shepherd is Jealous. (He will die for what is his)

the invitation to follow the shepherd goes out to all. We all like sheep have gone astray. He wants to be your shepherd and offers salvation to all those who believe and follow him, will you be his sheep? “

The Good Shepherd’s Actions Speak Louder than Words.

My Own accord- He went willingly, lovingy, mercifully, for his sheep.

Love that Speaks with Actions.

Application

3)He is good because he is both Messiah and God.

Love that Knows No boundaries

Love that speaks with Actions

Its important to note that Jesus comments are the fulfillment of Ancient prohecy.

anticipates a day when God becomes the true shepherd of Israel, but later he speaks of the coming messiah as the true shepherd. Which is it? Is Yahwey the true shepherd or is it the coming Messiah? The prophet doesn't seem to answer he just points to the future.

Ezekiel 34 ESV

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, declares the Lord God, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. “As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats. Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet? “Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken. “I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will provide for them renowned plantations so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God. And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.”

You can imagine the anticipation on the hearers of Jesus. A people who will know inside out, upside down and backwards which says the Lord is my Shepherd.... What is Jesus saying? is he just saying he is the Messiah? or Is he alluding to something more?

Referring to God Isiah 40:11 says “He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young.”

Only in this tenth chapter of John do we see how it all fits together. As Jesus will finally say in verse 30, ‘I and the father are one. God is the shepherd; the king is the shepherd.

There’s a strange thing in that chapter. Sometimes the prophet speaks of God becoming the true shepherd of Israel. But then, later, he speaks of David—in other words, of the Messiah—as the true shepherd, with God being God over shepherd and sheep alike. ‘Well, which is it?’ we want to ask Ezekiel. ‘Is God the shepherd, or is the Messiah the shepherd?’ He doesn’t answer. He just points into the future. Only in this tenth chapter of John do we see how it all fits together. As Jesus will finally say in verse 30, ‘I and the father are one.’ God is the shepherd; the king is the shepherd. It makes sense in Jesus, and nowhere else.1 Tom Wright, John for Everyone, Part 1: Chapters 1-10 (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004), 153.

Tom Wright, John for Everyone, Part 1: Chapters 1-10 (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004), 153.

Jesus is Good because God is Good.

Jesus is Kind because God is kind

Jesus is compassionate because God is Compassionate.

Jesus loves his Sheep because God loves his sheep.

When Jesus gave his Life for the Sheep, God was giving his very self for you. And the millions and millions and billions throughout history have heard the call of the shepherd and know him, understand what God did for them through Jesus the Shepherd and can confidently say with the psalmist, “surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” They are staking their lives not Just on Jesus claims but on his very Identity as the Good shepherd, the Only Begotten Son of the Living God.

This is the Good news.

The Good Shepherd is Jealous. (He will die for what is his)

The Good Shepherd’s Actions Speak Louder than Words.

Challenge.

The Good Shepherd is Good because he is God. (Prophecy)

Good News

The Good shepherd can be rejected and is rejected by many, Following the discourse there was a division over Jesus. Some said he was mad. They knew what he was claiming.

The Good Shepherds Love knows no Boundaries,

His love for the Sheep is routed in The Fathers love for the sheep. (Agapeo)

John 10:33 NIV

33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

False Shepherds, a voice telling us the Truth.......

There it is, dont let anyone ever tell you that Jesus was just good teacher and never claimed to be God.

Landing

Who do you say he is, is he mad? is he Bad? Is he misrepresented? To which the billions of testimonies to his goodness and faithfullness and activity in peoples lives are just delusions. Or is he indeed who he claimed to be, the Lord, the Messiah, the Good and beautiful Shepherd?

Challenge and Call to Repentance.

The Good Shepherds Love knows no Boundaries,

Enemies of God.

Landing

Story: There once was a large flock of sheep who grazed on the green pastures of Resolis. Every Spring the Shepherd would come with his helpers and and his dog, collect the sheep together sheer them and take their wool away.

One day the sheep had enough and decided to call a meeting. They appointed leaders and formed themselves into little groups to debate the nature of the Shepherd, what he does with their wool. “Sometimes it hurts when we are being sheared” “Who is this shepherd anyway and what does he do with our wool!”

“why do we have to give up our wool” some baahd. Sometimes it hurts when we are being sheared” Who is this shepherd anyway.

One day after a long debate, a little Ewe ran away thinking she knew where to find better pasture than the shepherd. One night she got lost, and having broken a leg got stuck under a barbed wire fence.

The Shepherd sought out this Ewe and when he found her he took her home with him. He loved this sheep, personally fed it by hand, nursed it back to health by keeping it warm and the next spring let it back into the fold to join the others.

Who is this shepherd anyway

The other sheep gathered around asked: “Tell us tell us what what does the shepherd do with our wool?” The ewe said “honestly, I never saw what he does with our wool, But what I do know is this....He is good” and if only I had more wool to give him, I would gladly and freely give it all up.

We all have shepherds in life, persons, institutions and voices that we are listening to and trusting in to guide and lead us to pasture, There are so many voices calling out, telling us what is true, what is moral, how we should live.

But only one shepherd ever gave his life for you. “I am the Good shepherd the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

“I am the Good shepherd the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Choose your shepherd!

“I am the Good shepherd the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”