"I Am the Good Shepherd"

    What Jesus is, is what we need. If we need anything at all in our lives, we need someone to lead us. We need a guide, a shepherd to show us where we ought to go and how to get there. Jesus affirmed that He is that guide, when He said, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11).

    To understand the context wherein Jesus made this statement, we must drop back to the previous chapter, where we are introduced to a blind man. Two notable things happened to the blind man in John 9. First, he received his sight (John 9:1-7). Second, and more importantly, he believed in the Son of God (John 9:35-38). Jesus used the incident with the blind man to address the unbelieving Pharisees (John 9:39-41). These men claimed to have spiritual insight. In reality, they were blind. Their blindness was not a blindness of the eye, but of the heart. Jesus, being aware of their unbelief, taught them of the necessity to hear His word and follow Him. It was in this context that Jesus introduced Himself as the “good shepherd” (John 10:11).

    In John 10, Jesus offers at least three evidences so these men can identify Him as the Messiah. Though there had been many pretenders (John 10:1), there was, nevertheless, the true leader, the one designated by God to shepherd His people. What are the identifying marks of the Messiah?

    First, He is the one who enters by “the door” (John 10:2). Though not specifically stated, it is logical to conclude that the door is the way prepared by the prophets. The Messiah would come according to the plan of God as foretold by the Old Testament prophets. It is the way appointed by God for the Appointed One as He fulfills the prophecies of old. Later in this parable, the word “door” is used in another way as the Lord expands the lesson. In John 10:7, Jesus speaks of Himself as the door. This speaks of how the sheep enter in. Do not confuse the two doors.

    A second identifying mark is that the door would be opened by “the porter” (John 10:3). This seems to be a reference to John the Baptist, who prepared the way (i.e., opened the door) for the Messiah. The ministry of John identified Jesus as God’s anointed (John 1:33–34). The Pharisees had the dual problem of rejecting both the porter and the shepherd (Matthew 21:25).

    A third mark that distinguished the shepherd from the thieves and robbers was that the good shepherd would give his life for the sheep (John 10:7–14). Jesus speaks not only of thieves and robbers, but also of the hireling. Though the hireling may not be a thief, he flees when he sees danger. He flees because he does not care for the sheep. By contrast, Christ died for the good of the sheep. He died because He cares! A shepherd of literal sheep might risk his life for the sheep, but he would not willingly lay down his life for them! In such a case, the death of the shepherd would likely mean death for the sheep. With Jesus, the death of the shepherd meant life for the sheep!

    Jesus gives ample evidence for believing in Him. Believing in Him has consequences. We must follow Him. In John 10:27–28, Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life …” The fact that Jesus is the good shepherd means something to us! Instead of being scattered abroad, wandering aimlessly through life, we are drawn to Him as we listen to His voice. There are many voices in the religious world, but we hear only our shepherd. We know who our shepherd is, and—what may be the most amazing thing of all—He knows us. What a testimony to the fact that our Lord wants to be in intimate fellowship with His followers!

    Are you following the good shepherd? If not, it is time to begin. If you are following, don’t quit! The promise of life is to the one who continues to follow Him. What Jesus is, is what we need. Blessed are the sheep who have Him as their shepherd.
 

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