Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
The Good Shepherd John 10:1-21 Sheep are not very intelligent creatures of habit that can be helpless, timid and stubborn Sheep need a shepherd to lead and protect them
The Good Shepherd John 10:1-21 Ancient shepherds of Israel had small flocks, and the sheep knew their shepherd A sheep-pen had one opening in which the shepherd or a gatekeeper would sleep to protect the sheep
Context John 9 & 10:1-6 Jesus is speaking to the same people present when talking to the man He had healed from blindness This analogy gives further explanation the spiritually blind condition of the Pharisees that opposed Him
Context John 9 & 10:1-6 They would have understood the description of the sheep and the shepherd, but not its application to them
God as Shepherd Psalm 23; 79:13; 80:1; Ezekiel 34:11-15; Isaiah 40:11 These passages speak of the Lord being a good, tender-hearted and loving shepherd who cares for His sheep
Warnings of Evil Shepherds Ezekiel 34:2-3; Jeremiah 23:1; Zechariah 11:17 Numbers 27:16-17 - Moses prays for the Lord to appoint a shepherd for His people
Messiah as Shepherd Numbers 27:16-17; Ezekiel 34:23f; Jeremiah 23:5 The Pharisees should have known all these things, but they were blind to its application to them
The Door of the Sheep John 10:7-10 Jesus is the shepherd at the door that protects His sheep. Jesus offers salvation The Pharisees are thieves and robbers - See Matthew 23
The Abundant Life John 10:10 This is not materialistic or an easy life for those that follow Jesus will have tribulation (John 16:33) The abundance is in reference with the quality of life because of a right relationship with the Savior
The Abundant Life John 10:10 The abundant life is filled with God’s grace, mercy & loving-kindness; eternal purpose, love, joy & peace
The Good Shepherd John 10:11-15 “Good” in the sense of excellent in caring for the sheep and contrasted with the hirelings and evil shepherds The good shepherd knows His sheep and they know Him, and He lays His life down for them
Other Sheep John 10:16 God’s blessings on Abraham were always to extend to the Gentiles (Genesis 12:3)
Jesus’ Authority John 10:17-18 Jesus was not a victim for He was in complete control even when dying on the cross The ability to lay down His life and take it up again proves Jesus is more than human
Divided Pharisees John 10:19-21 Jesus’ claim was beyond their realm of experience and so some considered Him insane or demonized Jesus’ healing of the man born blind and His teachings convinced others that He must be from God
Conclusions Being blind but claiming to see puts you in a worse position because you will not receive any help Jesus’ sheep are identified by hearing Him and following Him
Conclusions If you are confused, then continue the pursuit of truth and God will reward you (Hebrews 11:6) If you think this is nonsense, then humble yourself before God and plead to have the blindness removed
Conclusions Jesus is the only door to the abundant life of being forgiven and walking with God Jesus proved He is the good shepherd by His death providing redemption and resurrection providing hope
Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ