JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

John 10:1-18,

Key verse 10:11

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

Part I. The Shepherd and His Flock

First, A good shepherd has good motive in coming to the sheep pen. Jesus taught about a shepherd in comparison with a thief while teaching Pharisees in John 10:1-18. He did so in a figure of speech.

In Palestine, shepherds placed sheep in sheep pens surrounded by low stone fences. Each sheep pen had a small gate that was the entrance. It was watched by a watchman. In this figure of speech, there are two different types of people who come to the sheep pen. One kind is a thief and a robber and the other is a shepherd. It is natural that a shepherd enters to his sheep pen by gate (2). The motive of his coming is to take care of the sheep. They are interested in the sheep’s well being. The watch man opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice (3a). On the other hand, thieves and robbers come to steal. Their motive is not to care for the sheep but to care their own selfish gain. They are not interested in sheep’s welfare. They are interested in their own gain through by thieving the sheep.

Second, a good shepherd enters the sheep pen through the gate – Jesus. We need to think about the way of entering sheep pen. Verse 1,2 say, ‘“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. A thief and robber enter the sheep pen by climbing the fence while a shepherd enters through the gate. The thief by-passes the right way to enter the sheep pen. In verse 7, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth; I am the gate for the sheep.” Here, Jesus is the gate. Therefore thieves and robbers are those who enter the sheep pen not through Jesus Christ. These thieves and robbers are false prophets or teachers who were not from God or from Jesus. Their intention is to steal the hearts of people from God. They speak convincingly, but they have no truth of God in their hearts or in their teachings. 

In Israel history there had been many false prophets or teachers who claimed to speak in the name of God. God spoke about these people; Jeremiah 14:15 “Therefore, this is what the Lord says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, ‘No sword or famine will touch this land.’ Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine.” They speak things that please people. Jeremiah 23:16 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.” They gave false hopes and speak vision from their own minds. Ezekiel 13:2-6 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! Your prophets, O Israel, are like jackals among ruins. You have not gone up to the breaks in the wall to repair it for the house of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord. Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, “The Lord declares,” when the Lord has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled.” They prophesy out of their own imagination following their own spirit.

God also spoke through Isaiah of watchmen who do nothing but caring for themselves. Isaiah 56:10-12 Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain. “Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.”  These watchmen who were shepherds of Israel did not study God’s words. They were lazy, but sought for their own gain instead of shepherding God’s people. 

Those who come to the sheep are not all true shepherd. Those who do not enter through Jesus the gate, those who are not from God are false shepherds. They have characteristics; they speak sweet words to the people that are not from God. They give false vision from their own minds. They care for themselves rather than caring for the sheep. They do not shepherd people who are in need of shepherd’s care. Their primary motive is to steal people’s hearts from God.

There are lessons here. Firstly, Those who enter into the care of God’s people must have right motive that is to take care and shepherd them. Secondly, they must go through the Gate Jesus. They must have Jesus’ gospel in their hearts and spirit and life. They must speak and teach God’s words not their own. God calls his own through his own words not by some other means. God also cleanse them through His Own Son’s blood and gives them His own words and gospel to teach. We thank God for helping us to serve several York students last year. It is God’s blessing that he uses us. Therefore it is important to have right motive and right way. May we have shepherd’s heart for God’s sheep. May we teach God’s words to them.

Third, a good shepherd knows sheep’s name. Jesus goes on to talk about the relationship between the sheep and the shepherd. John 10:3 says, The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” A shepherd would call out the name of each of his sheep. In the sheep pen many sheep from different shepherds are mixed together. They all look similar. It is not easy to distinguish which one belongs to which shepherd. But each shepherd knows which one is his. He knows not just his sheep’s out appearance but also his sheep’s name. One shepherd might have many sheep. But he knows each one’s name. Knowing one’s name means that the shepherd knows everything about the sheep including characters, good points and weak points. The shepherd knows that certain sheep is weak in health. A certain sheep is picky.  A certain sheep gets easily irritated. A certain sheep is fearful. A certain sheep is stubborn. A certain sheep is always gets up late. Certain sheep is healthy and brave. Certain sheep always misses direction distracted by something else. The point is that a shepherd knows the details of each individual sheep.

How could a shepherd know every detail of each sheep? It is because the shepherd values each sheep very precious and cares each sheep in detail. The shepherd lives each day with such care and love for the sheep so that he knows everything about his sheep. A mother may give birth to a child, but if she does not have deep love and care for the child she would not be able to know her son or daughter’s problem. However, just as sheep and the shepherd, even if it might be between an animal and a person, if there is love and care the shepherd can know everything about his sheep.

For example, the Pharisees in John chapter 9 acted as if they were the shepherds for the blind man. They tried to lecture him. But they did not know anything about the blind man whose eyes Jesus had opened. They did not know about the blind man’s fatalism or his misery or his spiritual unrest or his life direction. The born blind man felt miserable because he could not see. But real misery for him was that he did not know why he was born blind. He was in darkness because no one including his parents and the Pharisees knew his life problem. But Jesus knew him. Jesus knew his name. Jesus knew that this man was born blind to reveal the glory of God. He knew God’s good providence and will in the man. Jesus taught him God’s truth and opened his eyes by making mud and putting it on his eyes. In old Testaments, God knew his sheep Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God knew each one and led them until they each become a patriarch of Israel. Once God said to Moses in Exodus 33:17, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”  Jesus also said in John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” Jesus knows his sheep even when they do not know themselves well.

We do not know all the things about our sheep. But Jesus knows everything about us and our sheep. Jesus knows our weaknesses, our many short-comings, and our agonies and pains. Jesus knows our spiritual sicknesses and our sinfulness. Jesus knows why we are weak and thirsty. Therefore, Jesus is our good shepherd who can lead each person’s life in the best and good way. As Jesus’ follower and a shepherd in a community of God, we must do our best to have the heart of Jesus to know each person’s name. It will be possible that when a shepherd love one sheep with whole heart and care him or her in detail he can come to know the sheep better and better. May we do so this year and learn of the heart of Jesus.

Fourth, a good shepherd goes ahead of sheep. After calling each sheep out of the pen, the shepherd leads the way and the sheep follow him. John 10:4 says, “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” Cows and other animals are usually driven by herdsmen from behind. But shepherds lead their sheep going before them. The shepherds lead them. They are leaders. Sheep may look smart, but they are very much near sighted and have no sense of direction. They do not know whether or not the way is safe. They have no idea which way would lead them to green pastures. Therefore they absolutely need a shepherd leading before them. A shepherd always leads them for their safety and for their providences. Such shepherd-ship is also seen in God. When God led Israel out of Egypt, He went before them always. During the day, God led them with a pillar of cloud and during night with a pillar of fire. God protected them going before them. Going before them a shepherd makes sure that they are safe.

Deuteronomy 1:30 says, “The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes.” God not only led the way, He also fought for his people protecting them from enemies. Some times the shepherd may lead sheep through desert or through the valleys of mountain. However, the shepherd eventually leads his sheep to a green pasture. Therefore it is important for a sheep what kind of shepherd he has. If the shepherd is loving and passionate the sheep will be well fed and happy and grow well. But if the shepherd is lazy and selfish and likes easy ways, the sheep’s life will be unhappy and haggard. Jesus is the good shepherd who is leading each sheep personally in the best way. Jesus leads us going before us making the way, defeating the enemies. On the cross Jesus defeated Satan, paid off our debts of sins, created a way for us to go to the kingdom of God as children of God.

Shepherds lead the sheep. Shepherds also sets up examples. Spiritually speaking “going before others” means “showing examples”. In John 12:26 Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.” NIV He also said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (Jn 13:15) Peter said, To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Pe 2:21) Peter also said about shepherds in this way, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Pe 5:2-3) Shepherds are to be examples for the sheep to follow. A shepherd should be an example until his sheep knows his voice. When a shepherd goes before showing examples the sheep go after him following his examples. If the shepherd takes a rest, the sheep also rest. If the shepherd goes, then the sheep also go. If the shepherd is lazy then the sheep are also lazy. If the shepherd is hard-working, then the sheep is also hard-working. If the shepherd is brave going before them without fear, then the sheep also become brave and follow through dangerous routs. Sheep may have many weaknesses. But they have one good point that is that they learn from shepherd well from all examples. Therefore it is important for a shepherd to set good examples. How can a shepherd set good examples? A shepherd must follow the Good shepherd Jesus. Jesus’ teaching has been powerful. Even after 2000 years, his teaching is still powerful because he taught his sheep by examples. He not only taught the words of heaven, but also lived his teaching. He not only showed the way of the cross, he himself went through the way of the cross being crucified on the cross.

Part II. Jesus, the Good Shepherd

In John 10: 7-18, Jesus explains the meaning of his figurative teaching about the shepherd and his sheep.

First, Jesus is the gate. Jesus said, "'I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.'" These verses teach the threefold effect of entering through the gate. Firstly, whoever enters through Jesus will be saved. After a day’s journey, after leading his flock Jesus leads them through his gate to salvation. There seem to be many secret ways for salvation. But we find salvation only through Jesus. Secondly, those who are saved have a pass that Jesus recognizes. So we can come in and out freely from the sheep pen. Thirdly, those who pass through the gate will have life--abundant life.

Second, a good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:10-13 reads, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns 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.” Jesus talks about the differences between a good shepherd and a hired hand. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” "Lay down" has combined meaning of to "give," "commit," "dedicate," and "risk" one's life.

Jesus also talks about a hired hand. "'The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns 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.'" Usually, wolves attack sheep at night. Wolves are ferocious and ruthless. They declare their coming with an eerie cry. In this time of danger a good shepherd risks his life to protect his sheep. On the other hand the hired hand runs away to save his life.

Jesus risked His life to save His sheep. On one Sabbath Jesus healed a man with a shriveled hand. Because of this, the Pharisees decided to kill Jesus. If Jesus had lived a quiet life, He would never have had to die on the cross. But Jesus loved His sheep. Jesus continued to lay down His life for the sheep. Once Jesus gave a parable of a lost sheep (Lk 15:3-7). The shepherd had 100 sheep. But one was lost. The shepherd would leave the 99 and go after one lost sheep until he found. My Lord Jesus found a lost sheep like me and led me to his sheep pen through his gate.

How is it possible for a shepherd to lay down his life for his sheep? It is because we trust God. We lay down our sins before the cross of Jesus. In the same way, we lay down our lives before God who alone is the Owner of our lives. In a more practical sense, "lay down" is to labor and toil for sheep. All sheep go through moments of spiritual crisis. In this critical period good shepherds really labor for the sheep. Jesus lays down his life for the sheep. When he was crucified on the cross it was not because he had no power but because he laid down his life as ransom sacrifice for the sheep, the sinners of the world. When he did so to the worldly people’s eye he seemed to be a loser. Jesus said that he laid down his life on his own accord. Jesus said in John 10:17-18, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 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.” Jesus had full trust in God and laid down his life for the sheep. We can also laid down our lives following Jesus. We can do so in the love of Jesus. We can do so in full trust in God. We can do so because Jesus has authority to take lives up again.

Third, a good shepherd loves and obeys God on his own accord. In John 10: 14-18 Jesus explains that a good shepherd has a deep love relationship with God. In verse 15 Jesus said, "'just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.'" Here, "know" refers to a very intimate relationship. Jesus has an excellent love relationship with the Father. In words, deeds and action our Lord Jesus demonstrated His wonderful love relationship with the Father. Therefore, good shepherds have clear relationship priorities--God the Father first. A shepherd should never loose the relationship with God otherwise he becomes a false teacher like a thief or a robber. All we teach and practice should come from God out of deeper relationship with Him and His words.

In conclusion, a good shepherd should have right and good motive in come to God’s sheep pen. A good shepherd should come through the gate – Jesus not by any other way. A good shepherd should know the names of the sheep. A good shepherd should lay down his life for the sheep with absolute trust in God and with a sense of stewardship for the sheep. A shepherd should love and obey God on his own accord. Let us take Jn 10:11 as our key verse this year. Let us have earnest desire to be good sheep to Jesus and to grow as good shepherds to his sheep.