John Ch.10
Jesus the Good Shepherd
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: 'Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.John Ch.10
“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.
Following up from the confrontation in ch.9, Jesus now begins a comparison: between himself - as the good shepherd; and the Jewish leaders - most of whom have bought or bribed their way into power through the Roman authorities.
2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Jesus Christ, as Israel’s true Shepherd, bears all the right credentials; he checks every box.
Some of the scriptures about Messiah, which, up to this point in John’s Gospel, Jesus has fulfilled, include:
Genesis 49:10; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14; 9:1-2; 11:1-5; 35:5-6; Ezekiel 34:11-19; Micah 5:2; and there is so much more to come…
Everything the Pharisees need to know about who Jesus is, can be found in the Scriptures - if you will - the door. Jesus is saying, that as surely as one would expect a shepherd to enter a fold through the door, one would expect the Messiah to fulfill everything written about him in the OT: This Jesus does completely!
3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
See: Isaiah 43:1-2 ~ A beautiful analogy of our relationship with the Lord…His great love and compassion towards us; coming to its fruition in ch.19:16…where: “Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
But, the teachers of the Law - the gatekeepers of Jesus’s time, have not been effective watchmen; They of all people, should have known that Jesus was the Christ - just as the gatekeepers for the sheep folds, always knew which shepherd to expect and at what time. These teachers of the Law do not recognize either the Time or the Shepherd. Therefore this job will be taken from them and given to others. To understand better what this means, see: Matthew 21:33-44
vs. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
This analogy would not be as clear to us, in western culture: As a former “shepherdess” myself, I remember driving sheep over the Welsh hills and moorland, using dogs, three-wheelers and quad-bikes: We would encompass the flock from behind and drive them to where they needed to go. However, this is not the case in eastern cultures: Here, the shepherd would move his flock, not by driving the sheep from behind - but by leading them from the front: The shepherds of the ancient world, would walk ahead of their flock, trusting that the sheep would follow, at the sound of the shepherd’s voice or their call sign. This is a practice still used in many cultures today and demonstrates a relationship of love and trust between sheep and shepherd.
5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Sheep are not known as being the smartest of animals - and yet, they are able to discern the voice of their protector and distinguish between them and strangers.
They are utterly and totally reliant upon their shepherd, for their survival in the wilderness: Likewise for us, when we answer the Lord’s call and follow him. He promises; we WILL know his voice…and through the tribulation of this world, he will keep us. See John 16:33 & 17:12.
6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
Who are these sheep? Remember ch.3:1-21; ch. 4:4-42; ch.5:1-9; ch.9…and this is not including Jesus’s own chosen eleven, who will leave everything to follow him - and will follow him unto the end. Then there are others…so many more, not mentioned; both here - and in the other three Gospels: Those who, remaining unmoved, unswayed and ultimately disillusioned by the present religious system and its false shepherds, were driven to hunger and thirst for something more…to hunger and thirst after the Lord and his righteousness. (Matthew Ch. 5:6 & 6:33)
All of these…and multitudes more…will hear the Voice of the Shepherd…and enter in through the Door.
Who are the ones who came before him?
Basically, these are teachers of the Law and Pharisees (Jesus uses the present tense when he refers to them; and it is highly likely that they are present and listening to him as he makes this statement)
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
In saying this, he sets his seal to the fact that “…there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (also John 14:6)
“…go in and out and find pasture.” This seems to imply that, although the Door (the Way) in to Salvation, is narrow (see Matthew 7:13-14), once inside, we the sheep, will have space…freedom…to “live and move and have our being” - in Christ (Acts 17:28). This is true Life, indeed!
This marks one of a number of times Jesus will refer to himself as “I am” in this Gospel (see Exodus 3:14 ~ “l am everything…everywhere…for all time…”)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Here, Jesus is referring to Eternal Life, which he will purchase for us, through the laying down of his own life (see vs.11)
When we take a deep dive into David’s famous Psalm 23, we see that the sheep were reliant upon their shepherd for their very lives. The shepherd would lead them to places of rest, food and water (vs.1-3); he would care for each one, ensuring they were free from pestilence and disease (vs.5); and with his rod and staff, he would protect them from dangers such as predators or thieves (vs.4).
David, the writer of Psalm 23, would have known this first hand, during his time in the wilderness: While shepherding his own sheep, he had clearly come to recognize the hand of the Lord, who was shepherding him! (See 1Samuel 17:34-37)
11(a) I am the good shepherd.
Now, Jesus is not only the Door to the sheepfold; he is also the Shepherd of the sheep. (Again, we can think upon the mysterious name of God, revealed to Moses in Exodus 3: “I am what I am”, or “I will be what I will be” - and realize the truth of this, in Christ Jesus! - He is everything…and all…that we need!)
11(b) The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
(See Psalm 23:4) It was not uncommon for a shepherd to literally lay down his life in protecting his sheep: Here Jesus makes the most powerful analogy of them all - again making reference to his vicarious death on the cross.
This is the greatest act of Love…Perfect Love; proving, beyond a shadow of doubt, that he is God!
12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. Romans 4:4
In the same way, we could say that the teachers of the Law were behaving more like hired hands than shepherds. They clearly care more about the power and wealth they received as keepers of the peace, on behalf of the Roman Empire, than the welfare of the sheep (Israel). They are not good shepherds - which is why Jesus goes on to say this…
14 I am the good shepherd.
I know my own and my own know me,
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
The teachers of the Law do not know these people, that they are claiming to be responsible for: But Jesus Christ knows them…every one…by name.
Such a comfort it is, to know that when we come through the cross of Christ - the door - we enter into a personal relationship with the Lord God Himself (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). He already knows us, but through the sacrifice of the Cross, we can now know him.
16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
See Ephesians 3:6: The mystery of the One New Man. (Jew and Gentile)
We have already seen glimpses of these “other sheep” from other sheep folds; a primary example being the Samaritan woman in chapter 4; but, as we continue to read in the Gospels, there are - and will be - so many more…
This statement of Jesus’s is referring not only to a people (Jews and gentiles) but also to time itself: Over 2000 years later, Jesus is still calling out and bringing in his sheep - of which you and I are a part. See Matthew ch.1 vs. 21: Jesus (Yeshua) will fulfill the meaning of his name: “The Lord is Salvation, until the very end.
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
God is Love ; and through his Son, he will demonstrate this Love to the utmost. (1John 4:8-10)
18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
In other words: This is not man’s doing; nor Satan’s! This had been God’s plan from the beginning (Isaiah ch.52:13-ch.53:12) : He will give himself up to the hands of evil men…he will allow himself to die…and then resurrect himself from the dead! Why? Because he is God! And following his resurrection, his disciples will remember these words…and will finally understand! Immanuel…God with us (Isaiah 7:14)…and he truly was with us! The Lord God YHWH - was with us! (See Luke 24:31-32)
Why does Jesus use the analogy of sheep? One likely reason is in reference to the Old Testament Scriptures (again, we can look back to Isaiah 53:6) where Israel are frequently likened to sheep - and their leaders are referred to as to shepherds: Some - like King David - were good; but tragically, for the most part, Israel’s leaders were very bad shepherds; and in Ezekiel 34 (a scripture likely describing the millennial reign of Christ) the Lord God Himself will become Israel’s Shepherd. (See Psalm 23)
This is who Jesus is - and how he is describing himself; again identifying himself with the God of the OT…and again, offending the teachers of the Law, who very likely would have made the connection.
19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words.
In Matthew ch.9:36, referring to Jesus, we read the following: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
In other words: they were lost, confused and being swept away by every and any wind of doctrine. This is why, having the right, TRUE Shepherd, is vital. And this is also why, there always seems to be so much division and confusion surrounding Jesus:
20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?”
21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
And yet (vs.21) - the Truth will always break through: The Lord knows who are his sheep…and his sheep will - slowly but surely…sooner or later - hear his Voice.
I and the Father Are One
22 At that time the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) took place at Jerusalem. It was winter,
23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.
This is a very public colonnade in the eastern side of the Temple’s outer courtyard, where people would commonly gather, and where later on, Peter will preach his first, famous sermon. Jesus isn’t preaching or teaching however: He is simply walking, when he is encircled by the Jews.
24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
This is frustrating, in that, how many times must Jesus repeat the same thing to these people? It seems that, what they are really trying to do, is get him into trouble with the Roman authorities, by declaring himself publicly to be the “Christ”; an affront to the authority of Ceasar.
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,
Referring back to vs.21: This is one of many verses that show how these people (many of them, followers of the Pharisees) are being significantly moved by the works of Jesus, towards belief.
26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.
What does it mean to be one of his sheep? Jesus will now tell us:
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (vs. 4-5; 16)
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (ch.3:16-17)
Again Jesus paints this same beautiful picture - Because:
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him (the good shepherd vs.14-15)
the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
Only the true sheep, would recognize the Voice of the Shepherd and repent…return to him. These people do not recognize his Voice, because they are not one of the sheep described in Isaiah 53 -and tragically, have bo desire to return to the Shepherd.
The next time Jesus comes, it will be as the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20-21) and as the Chief Shepherd (1Peter 5:4); His second coming will be very different to his first. {See also Revelation 19:11-18 & Psalm 2 - blessed are all who take refuge- not from him - but IN him!”}
29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (See ch.17:1-19)
Again, we see the mystery of the Trinity: Jesus Christ, the Son , claiming equality with God…claiming to be God; and yet, submissive and subservient to his Father: This is a perfect unity…that can only come from the perfect Godhead.
30 I and the Father are one.” (Again, Jesus is hiding nothing; they just don’t want to see.)
31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”
33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
In saying this they are correct: Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, is also Christ Jesus, the Son of God. What they are failing to understand is this:
Here is a paradox which these Pharisees cannot as yet understand: (After all, surely if God were to appear in human form, he would look like one of them..! Right?) Yet, this is a fundamental lesson that all disciples of Christ must understand: The lesson of humility; As sheep of His fold, we must follow in the footsteps of our Shepherd: We must bow low, in the Way shown us by the Lord.
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’?
35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
Jesus is quoting from Psalm 82:6; where the Hebrew word for God: “Elohim”, is used to describe other entities besides the Almighty God, who is the “Elohim above all Elohims” (Psalm 82:1). But, this term is in fact, common place throughout the Scriptures: Elohim was used in reference to angels, demons, spirits of the deceased (1Samuel 28:13) and judges (Exodus 21:6). It is however, the revelation that God - Elohim - gives to Moses - another “good shepherd” (see Exodus 3:14) that will set the Almighty apart, from every other “god”.
37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; (ref. vs.32)
38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” (See Matthew 11:2-6)
39 Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.
40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained.
41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”
42 And many believed in him there.
Again, the sheep are hearing and responding to the Voice of the Shepherd; who speaks not only in words, but in deeds of love, grace and mercy.
They believed the Lord’s messenger: his final Old Covenant prophet, John: This is how they are now coming to believe in Jesus. (Matthew 21:24-27)
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