Good Shepherd

The Sheep Gate

We hear yet another parable from Jesus, the sheep gate. Let us start in reverse order here. let’s first look at why we need a sheep gate. John 10:10 (NRSV)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. So, the sheep gate kept people out who meant harm to the sheep. This parable describes the good shepherd as one who cares for the welfare of the sheep. A guardian. I am sure when you took your children to an event like camp and when you filled out the form it was important that someone responsible for this child signed, parent or guardian. The guardian is the one that accepts responsibilities for this child. Jesus is the good shepherd, and He will not allow access to the sheep pin to those who choose to do harm to the sheep. Perhaps you want to make a list of things or people that can cause you harm.

Jesus, actually tells us that He is the gate. John 10:9 (NRSV)

9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.

So, does this make you think differently about what it means to be saved? It reminds me of the 23 Psalm

Psalm 23:title–6 (NRSV)

The Divine Shepherd

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 right paths for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I 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 my whole life long.

Jesus tells us the truth about the gate. John 10:1 (NRSV)

Jesus the Good Shepherd

10 “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. Now remember verse 9, I am the gate. So, those who do not enter through me is the bad shepherd.

John 10:2 (NRSV)

2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. If Jesus is the gate, we can assume that those who enter through Him can only be those who are good for the sheep.

John 10:3 (NRSV)

3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. So, think about this verse for a minute. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who guards the sheep. He lets in those called by His name to shepherd the sheep and (Jesus) opens the gate, and the sheep hear his voice. What is being said here is that Jesus the Good Shepherd, calls those to shepherd his sheep. if He has not ordained the shepherds entry, then they are to bee feared.

As I go forward to Ordination, this passage is always on my mind. Shepherds want to be given permission to enter through the gate and to call to the sheep that he/she has been given to shepherd.

John 10:4 (NRSV)

4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. This is important to think about. I have been around animals all my life, and what takes time is building relationship. I have watched my dad call his cattle and they hear his voice and they come to him. Apparently sheep are the same way. If you know Jesus and His voice you will come to Him when he calls. If you know your shepherds voice you will follow. These things take time.

John 10:5 (NRSV)

5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” So, ask each other do you know my voice? John 10:6 (NRSV)

6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. John 10:7 (NRSV)

7 So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. Again Jesus tells the people that He is the Gate. When Jesus says very truly, what he is doing is given extra emphasis on the agreement he has with this statement. Truly means Amen. When we say Amen, we are saying we agree with the statement. What Jesus is saying is double that, Amen Amen.

John 10:8 (NRSV)

8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. Have we always been listening to or for the voice?