We often forget How loving, kind, and gracious our God is. Jesus spent time reminding the nation and also each of us who he is, and how much he cares for us. Let’s dive right in!
John chapter 10 is divided into two parts, during two different times. The first is Jesus continuing his discussion with Pharisees and the second is months later during another festival.
Jesus continues his conversation from chapter 9
John 10:1-5
I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”
God is the good shepherd of Israel (Gen 49:24; Ps 23; 78:52-53; Isa 40:10-11). The leaders of Israel were also considered shepherds. Jesus is giving us insight as to the way the Father leads his people versus the bad shepherds
In the wilderness, Middle Eastern shepherds would build a sheepfold to keep their sheep safe at night it was an area of a stone fence with thorny brambles on top. The gate too would be branches and many times the shepherd would become the gate in that he would sleep at the entrance of the sheepfold.
Jesus is saying if you try to reach the sheep any other way, other than through Jesus you are a thief, robber, a stranger and danger to the sheep. The shepherd always spends time with us caring and protecting us so we can get to know his voice rather than all the other voices in the world, he knows you so well he calls you by name…..
I have a personal thought, when the rapture occurs each person, like this passage says will hear the Lord calling their name.
Notice too that God does not drive his sheep, he leads them, walking ahead of them so there is not doubt where they are going and they can go in the safety and security of the good shepherd. If you are so busy you are always feeling worn out, it is time to enter into His rest. I know that’s not easy but he wants to refresh and rejuvenate each one of us. His mercies are new every morning and great is his faithfulness to us!
The people were having a difficult time understanding what Jesus meant so he explained…
John 10: 6-10
Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Wow was Jesus slamming the religious leaders or what? The bad shepherds would not care for the sheep they would take for themselves the wool, milk and meat without regard to the care of the sheep, they robbed the people of the freedom Christ offers. Jesus said the sheep that follow him will walk in freedom and be blessed in the land. The bad shepherds only seek to get what they can from the sheep but Jesus offers life and that life abundantly….
There is a joy in following Christ, knowing that every day your life is in his hands and he has your future planned. Do you have that joy and peace today. Do you know that you are loved just for you? Jesus is stressing that he will take care of those who follow him.
John 10:11-13
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.
Jesus is saying a good shepherd is there doing his best for the sheep and a bad shepherd will take off at the sign of trouble because he is only in it for the money, power, or prestige. Jesus, is making it clear also that especially in times of trouble we can trust Him!
Are you in a time of trouble right now? He wants you to realize that you can be trusted!
This is another “I am” statement where Jesus is saying he and the Father are one. As I mentioned before God calls himself the shepherd of Israel and Jesus is now saying he is! In case anyone might have missed it he makes it very clear in his next statements.
John 10: 14-16
I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
Jesus is making it clear that he and the Father have such an intimacy that they act as one. He is prophesying his death on the cross as laying His life down for the sheep and shockingly tells them there are sheep outside of Judaism that will be coming to the sheepfold. Proclaiming as Jesus prayed in John 17 that we would all be one sheepfold even as Jesus and the Father are one.
You see you are never to feel alone, but understand that you are part of a very large family of believers, and Jesus, The Father and the Holy Spirit are always working to help us feel as one!
Are you feeling alone today? You aren’t but the devil will do everything in His power to help you insulate and isolate from the family of God. We need each other and you need to realize you are not alone!
John 10:17,18
“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”
Jesus is making it clear that we can trust everything he just said because he is in complete control of his destiny. He was not a victim of the Jews or Romans but willing laid down His life because He loves you and me and he will rise again because he is proving his love for us and his power over even the worse that you feel you may face in this world!
I hope today reminded you how absolutely loved and important you are to God!
If you are feeling worn out today, it is time to take a breath and allow the Lord to refresh and lead you as he will never drive you but lead you into all things.
Do you feel important to him that he really wants to fill you with His joy, love and peace? You are that important to Him. After all, you are the one He loves the most, Allow Him to fill you today, as the good shepherd, with what you need to get your peace, love, and joy back!
Are you in a time of trouble right now, anxious or worried about something in a way that is robbing you of time and energy? He can be trusted! He will not abandon you instead He will especially be there in your battle and time of need!
Last but not least, are you feeling alone today? The devil wants you to feel isolated and insulated from others but its not true, you are part of a family.
These are both normal and tough things that the good shepherd, wants you to know He is offering to you every day. Grab them today so you can truly live and walk in the freedom Christ has for you
This kind of love confuses people that is why John wraps this portion up with these verses
John 10: 19-21
When he said these things, the people were again divided in their opinions about him. 20 Some said, “He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?” 21 Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”