Jesus: Shepherds and Sheep John 10:1-21

Introduction JESUS used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them (6). Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about (The Message) They were not his sheep (v 26), Didn’t like what he was saying Not a lot of narrative cohesion here… Jesus using imagery to make his point He is the one Good Shepherd

Examining the Text – Sheep Pen Opening statement – a dig at the Pharisees! “What? are we blind too?” (9:40) They are pretenders Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler (MSG, v1) The Shepherd enters by the gate

Allegory of the Sheep Pen The Shepherd enters by the gate Calls them by name They run away (scatter) from a stranger (vv 4,5)

Allegory of the Sheep Pen The Shepherd enters by the gate Calls them by name They run away (scatter) from a stranger (vv 4,5) Dan is not the shepherd at Hunterson Farm

Allegory of the Sheep Pen Sometimes we enjoyed our noonday rest beside one of those Judean wells, to which three or four shepherds come down with their flocks. The flocks mixed with each other, and we wondered how each shepherd would get his own again. But after the watering and the playing were over the shepherds one by one went up different sides of the valley, and each called out his peculiar call; and the sheep of each drew out of the crowd to their own shepherd and the flocks passed as orderly as they came - (GA Smith as cited by Beasley-Murray)

Allegory of the Sheep Pen The Shepherd enters by the gate Calls them by name They run away (scatter) from a stranger (vv 4,5) Dan is not the shepherd at Hunterson Farm Jesus calls them out by name, a special kind of Shepherd Jesus is the rightful Shepherd (not the Pharisees), and they did not understand what he was saying (v6)

Explanation - I am the Gate 1. I am the gate for the sheep (7) 2. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers (The Message “Sheep stealers”), but the sheep didn’t listen to them. (8) 3. Whoever enters through me – the gate – will be saved – able to come in and go out and find pasture (9) 4. The thieves come to steal, kill, and destroy the sheep 5. I come that the sheep may have life to the full (The Message “more and better life than they ever dreamed of”) (10)

Explanation - I am the Gate When he brings us to the Father he calls himself a Door, when he takes care of us, a Shepherd (Chrysostom) I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (14.6) Messianic imagery No one else offers the same

Explanation - I am the Gate – Ps 118 19Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

Illustration – Etta Grace My kids are like sheep It isn’t really about Etta at all Her quality of life is based on the quality of her shepherd (parents) Her mom and I need to be good shepherds

Further Explanation – I am the Good Shepherd I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (11) “I Lay down my life” – 4 times Real shepherds probably don’t do this Sheep would be scattered The Good Shepherd is a special shepherd – noble, unique Hired hand runs away

Further Explanation – I am the Good Shepherd Relationship between Jesus and sheep is like relationship between Jesus and God Other sheep – not of this pen (Gentiles, us) Jesus claims the mission to the Gentiles as his own

Further Explanation – I am the Good Shepherd Vv 17-18 One - God loves the life-laying-down-Shepherd Jesus because that’s who Jesus is The mutual love of the Father and Son thus was seen in a deed of love for the world, in which the Father in love willed to save all and the Son in love freely gave his all (Beasley-Murray)

Further Explanation – I am the Good Shepherd Vv 17-18 Two – Jesus lays down is life in order to take it up again. It’s part of his plan. Three – Jesus laying his life down is Jesus and God’s plan. Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will (heb 13:20, 21a)

An Unremarkable Illustration - The Vitamix One of the best decisions my wife and I made in recent years, was to buy a Vitamix…

Application - False Shepherds, Bandits and Thieves Who are the false shepherds? who are the thieves and bandits? Ezekiel 34 Pharisees and Religious Leaders Gnostics and Messianic Pretenders Thieves and Robbers today Come, Jesus come. The Good Shepherd is our only hope.

Application - The Good Shepherd our Hope Trusting on Jesus – in the midst of a world of suffering and evil “It is well, with my soul” Trusting completely on Jesus Dan and Christina and allergies…

Application - The Good Shepherd our Hope Telling people about the Good Shepherd – i.e., the Vitamix and other consumer products Harder to share Christ, for most. He is still gathering sheep

Conclusion - The Jews Response May you hear his voice, and run to Him. May you find good pasture in Him