Jesus: Our Good Shepherd

Background:

The first century sheepfold was a place of security, not a place for intruders.

Such a sheepfold would likely have been either a circular or square enclosure, probably constructed like a high stone fence or wall and perhaps topped with vines.

The entrance would have been the only break in the wall, and once the sheep were safely inside at night, the watchman/guard (either a servant or a shepherd, usually an assistant) would lie down across the opening and serve both as the protector for the sheep and as a gate to the sheepfold.

Unless an intruder was willing to confront the watchman, the only way into the sheepfold was to climb the wall (cf. 10:1).

When Jesus is your good shepherd, you will have...

Security (v. 1-6)

There are three things that Jesus says here that reveal the security we have when we surrender our lives to Him.

Statement #1

John 10:1–2 ESV

“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. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Jesus draws a strong contrast between thieves and a shepherd. The way the enter the sheep pin is different. Most importantly there motivation for entering it is different.

With these words Jesus was drawing a contrast between himself and the Jewish religious establishment. He saying in all caps - I AM NOT LIKE THEM.

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How was he not like them?

Jesus had their best in mind.

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Statement #2

John 10:3 ESV

To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

Jesuns says something powerful about the shepherd hear that we don’t need to overlook. The shepherd calls his sheep by name. Folks, when you follow Jesus, you matter. You are not part of som massive heard of people who are going to heaven. You matter so much that He calls you by name.

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Statement #3

John 10:4–6 ESV

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Notice, the picture here of the shepherd. He is not behind the sheep driving them. He is not beside them so as they are uncertain where to go. He is in front of them leading, protecting and keeping an eye out for danger.

[HE IS OUR SHIELD - verse]

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Shelter (v. 7-13)

Salvation (v. 14-21)