Coconut
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- Feb 17, 2005
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Jesus Is The Good Shepherd
We Are Sheep
Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are his sheep. Thinking of ourselves as sheep is good when we consider that the Good Shepherd is watching over us and taking care of us. But when we examine closely what sheep are really like, we may not feel too complimented to think of ourselves as sheep. Phillip Keller actually worked as a shepherd. This is what he has to say about the comparison of us to sheep. He says sheep are fearful; sheep are timid. They are stupid. Sheep are stubborn. They will blindly follow other sheep astray. They have filthy personal habits. This is not too complimentary, is it? Fortunately, we have a Good Shepherd who will watch over us. Jesus gives us important instruction in these verses in John chapter 10 of how the sheep are supposed to act. Let’s see if we can learn from the Good Shepherd.
Jesus tells his parable in the first 5 verses. Then notice that verse 6 says (NCV), "Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant."The people did not understand his parable. In order for us to better understand it, what should we do: consult a commentary set? Good idea. How about the earliest known commentary written on this parable by the finest theologian and Bible scholar who ever lived? That commentary is given by Jesus himself in verses 7 - 16. So as we go through these first four verses, we will consult Jesus’ commentary to help us better understand this parable!
Verse 1
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber
7 So Jesus again said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them.
9a I am the door.
10a The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
12 He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
13 He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep.
The first thing Jesus tells us is that there will be those who will try to influence our life, but who do not have our welfare in mind. Here he says they try to enter the sheepfold by a different way. In verses 12 and 13 he calls them a hireling and tells us they "care nothing for the sheep." We need to be careful who we follow.
Who are the voices that are drowning out the words of the Good Shepherd in our life.
1. The world: The voices of pleasure and self-pride will often drown out Jesus’ message of sacrifice and humility.
2. Our American society: It’s emphasis on materialism and the rewards of success can easily distract us from heavenly values.
3. Our own fleshly desires: We are so busy doing what we want to do pursuing our own goals that we don’t have time to work for God’s kingdom.
4. The influence of others: Friends and family can distract us from the reality of Christ. Those that don’t believe in Christ have a different value system. Instead of we being a positive influence on their lives for God, sometimes others can be a negative influence on our life dragging us down into sin.
But what does Jesus say in verse 8 about these distracting voices from others? He said the sheep did not heed them. We must not allow them to pull us away from the Good Shepherd.
When the sheep were at the home ranch, they were kept in a large stone enclosure. At night time one of the servants would guard the gate. This was the gatekeeper. Early in the morning the shepherd would take the sheep out to the green pasture to feed and find water. He would actually call them with a low guttural sound, and the sheep would follow him as he was the one that led the way. It is said that sometimes two or three flocks would be together in a village sheep enclosure. When the shepherd would come, all he would have to do is call with his distinct call and only his sheep would follow him out of the sheepfold. After all the spring grass was eaten near their home ranch, then the shepherd would have to take the sheep sometimes long distances to find new pasture. During these months the shepherd would sleep with the flock. Usually he would build a rough enclosure of stones against a hill for the sheep to spend the night. He would sleep across the opening of this sheep pen and would literally become the door of the sheepfold.
Notice that all those who try to enter the sheep-fold don’t come in through the door, but "climb in another way." There is only one door or gate to the sheep-fold. We may want to do things our own way, another way, but there is only one door which is the right door, and that’s God’s way.
There are many ways people try to enter the kingdom of God.
1. Good works: Many people think if they are good enough, God will let them in heaven. But Isaiah 64:6 tells us (KJV), "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." So we aren’t good enough.
2. Attending church. Some people think that if they just attend church and tithe, they don’t have to worry about the kind of life they live. But John tells us in 1 John 2:3-5 (NIV), "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:" We have to have Jesus as our Savior living in our heart.
3. Choose later. Other simply want to wait to the ends of their life to make the choice. They think God will give them a second chance. They don’t want to be bothered being a Christian now because it’s such a bother. But as Joshua 24:15 tells us, "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...."
Notice that Jesus tells us there is only one door. There are not many roads to heaven. Buddha did not die for your sins and Mohammed is not the resurrection and the life. The Yin and the Yang does not fill us with the Holy Spirit and Eastern meditation does not guide us into all truth. The sayings of Confucius are not quick and powerful. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." He is the only way.
Jesus expands upon this idea of the door a few verses later In verses 7-9, he says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door." There is only one door, and that door is Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
Notice that here in John 10:1, Jesus says that the man who tries to climb into the sheepfold another way is a thief and a robber. In English these two words indicate two different ways that someone tries to steal from us. The American Heritage Dictionary points out the difference. The robber is one who "takes property from (a person or persons) illegally by using or threatening to use violence or force." Whereas the thief is, "One who steals, especially one who steals movable property by stealth rather than force." The two Greek words used here, < leste&j> lestes and < kle&ptej> kleptes, carry the same distinctions as the English. In fact from kleptes we get our English word kleptomaniac. I want to examine these two different meanings:
The robber, who steals from us openly.
The thief, who steals from us secretly.
There are things that openly try to rob us from having a relationship with Christ. We can readily define them as wrong, but we are still entrapped by them from time to time. These would include sin and temptations, losing our temper, frustrations at work, and aggravations throughout the day that cause us to lose our focus on Christ. These all try to rob us of our joy.
There are other things that slip in secretly to distract us. They may steal our focus on God with such things as spiritual doubts, discouragement, depression, or self-pity. These thieves come in surreptitiously. We don’t realize when they sneak in, but suddenly we find ourselves spiritually down in the dumps.
In verse 10 Jesus warns us that these bandits come only to steal and kill and destroy. And in verse 8 Jesus says that the sheep do not listen to the thieves and robbers. Who or what is trying to rob your relationship with God? Realize that they are thieves and robbers whose only purpose is to steal your joy. Kick them out of the sheepfold, and don’t let them return.
Verse 2
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
7 So Jesus again said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
10b I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Jesus is the one who enters by the door and is the Good Shepherd. He is the only one who enters our life the proper way. In verse 7, Jesus says, I am the door of the sheep. Not only does he enter the door when we are safe at our home ranch, but he is the door when we are wandering in the wilderness.
The shepherd was responsible for the care of the entire flock. He would have to locate good pasture, and find quiet pools of water. Sheep will not drink from a fast-flowing river. He had to protect the flock against attack by wolves or other predators. He was responsible for keeping the sheep clean and in good health. He sometimes had to apply ointments and other medicines to ward off flying pests and parasites. Sheep will get restless and spooked very easily, so it was the shepherd’s job to make them feel safe. Sometimes sheep would become agitated because of friction in the flock: butting each other to assert their dominance. The shepherd would have to step in to calm the flock. When sheep are agitated or restless, they will not feed or drink properly. The good shepherd had to be constantly alert to the state of his flock for possible dangers or disturbances.
Let’s take a look at what a good shepherd does.
A good shepherd cares for the sheep. Do you realize you are a priority in God’s busy schedule? He has the whole universe to run, but he makes the time to care for you. Even our smallest needs will get his attention. He loves us so much that as verse 11 tells us, Jesus gave his life for us.
A good shepherd makes sure the sheep are well-fed. Jesus cares about our everyday needs. He makes sure we are taken care of. Most of us probably think that we take care of ourselves, but the truth of the matter is: everything we have we owe to God and his kind provision for us.
A good shepherd leads the sheep to good pasture. Not only does Jesus take care of our basic needs, but he does a good job of it. The Lord blesses us in all areas of our life: physically as well as spiritually.
A good shepherd protects the sheep from danger. He keeps away the predators and moves the sheep to safety when stormy weather is on the horizon. Jesus will keep away those who would try to devour us spiritually, and no matter what storm may be raging around us, we can always rest secure in his protecting arms.
A good shepherd would keep his sheep healthy and free from parasites. Jesus will help us when we are sick, and heals our diseases.
A good shepherd will calm his flock when they are agitated. Jesus has promised to give us his peace.
Psalm 23 beautifully describes how Jesus takes care of us. The first 4 verses (NIV) say,
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
As our good shepherd, let’s examine what Jesus did for us.
He sacrificed himself for us. He paid the ultimate penalty for our sins.
He reached out to us with his mercy. Psalm 103:11 (KJV) tells us, "For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him."
He extended his grace towards us. Romans 5:8 (NIV) tells us, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
He intercedes for us with the Father. Romans 8:34 (NKJV) tells us, "Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."
He sends the Holy Spirit to us to lead and guide us. John 16:13 (NKJV) says, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth...."
He promised he will never leave or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV) instructs us, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ "
He gives us strength to overcome difficulties. Philippians 4:13 assures us, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
He renews our mind, heals our body, and refreshes our spirit.
He gives us life more abundantly. Jesus promised in verse 10 here in the tenth chapter of John (KJV), "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Verse 3
To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
9b If any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
To him the gatekeeper opens. We are the gatekeeper. We must guard the door and be careful who we let in. Too often we open the door to everything that comes our way, but we must be selective in what we open our heart and mind to. Who have we allowed to enter into our life? Are these things ruling over us?
Materialism? Is our love for money more important than our love for God?
Ambition? Do we spend all our time pursuing worldly success, and no time pursuing spiritual success
Luxury? Do we spend all our time searching for things, instead of searching for God’s truth?
Being well-liked? Are we so afraid to offend that no one ever hears anything from us about Jesus?
Having a good time? Are we more interested in spending time with our friends at a party instead of spending time with our Lord in prayer?
Or Jesus? Is He truly the center of all our activities? When Jesus is number one in our life, we may have all these other things — money, success, luxury, friends, and fun, but we will have them placed in the proper perspective.
Notice this verse doesn’t tell us Jesus forces his way in. That’s the way of the robber. But he tells us in this verse that the gatekeeper opens the door. We must open the door to Jesus. In Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) Jesus tells us, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." We must open the door.
The next thing this verse teaches us is that the sheep hear his voice. Verse 5 tells us that the sheep do not follow strangers, but flee from them, for they don’t know the voice of strangers. Do you know God’s voice? Can you hear his words? We must learn to listen. When we go to the Lord in prayer, it is natural for us to want to spend the whole time doing all the talking: telling God all our needs, all our prayer requests. But true prayer doesn’t begin until we are ready to listen to what God might want to say to us. Psalm 46:10 (KJV) tells us, "Be still, and know that I am God...." It is only when we are silent before God, that we can begin to learn from him. Of course God can also speak to us through his word, the Bible, through other believers, and through circumstances in our life. But we must be willing to listen for his voice.
Next, this verse tells us He calls us by name. Do you realize that Jesus knows your name? He knows who you are, and understands everything about you. Not only does he know our name, but he also calls our name. He calls us from despair to rejoicing, from weariness to rest, from sorrow to comfort, from pain to healing, from anguish to peace, and from sin to new life. He is calling you. Do you hear his voice? Will you answer his call?
The last phrase of this verse tells us that the Good Shepherd leads his sheep out. He is our guide. Verse 9 tells us the sheep go in and out and find pasture. He knows the path where we should go. He knows the way, and he is leading us every moment of every day of every year of our whole life. He knows the path where we should go. He knows the way, and he is leading us every moment of every day of every year of our whole life.
Verse 4
When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me,
15 as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.
This verse teaches us that Jesus goes before us. We do not have to face the unknown by ourselves. He brings us out. He’s the one who chooses the direction for our day. We don’t have to wander through our day confused and perplexed. Jesus brings us out because we are his own. He cares about us.
Barnes wrote (Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Gospel of John, pg. 315), "He leads them, and guides them, and does not leave them. A shepherd spent his time with his flocks. He went before them to seek the best pastures and watering-places, and to defend them from danger."
This is what Jesus does for us every day. Every time we leave for work, or for school, or for our other activities, he leads us and keeps us from dangers. He then brings us back safely home. There may have been many dangers and pitfalls that day that we were totally unaware of, but he went before us and led us safely through the day.
-excerpt
Studies in the Gospels
We Are Sheep
Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are his sheep. Thinking of ourselves as sheep is good when we consider that the Good Shepherd is watching over us and taking care of us. But when we examine closely what sheep are really like, we may not feel too complimented to think of ourselves as sheep. Phillip Keller actually worked as a shepherd. This is what he has to say about the comparison of us to sheep. He says sheep are fearful; sheep are timid. They are stupid. Sheep are stubborn. They will blindly follow other sheep astray. They have filthy personal habits. This is not too complimentary, is it? Fortunately, we have a Good Shepherd who will watch over us. Jesus gives us important instruction in these verses in John chapter 10 of how the sheep are supposed to act. Let’s see if we can learn from the Good Shepherd.
Jesus tells his parable in the first 5 verses. Then notice that verse 6 says (NCV), "Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant."The people did not understand his parable. In order for us to better understand it, what should we do: consult a commentary set? Good idea. How about the earliest known commentary written on this parable by the finest theologian and Bible scholar who ever lived? That commentary is given by Jesus himself in verses 7 - 16. So as we go through these first four verses, we will consult Jesus’ commentary to help us better understand this parable!
Verse 1
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber
7 So Jesus again said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them.
9a I am the door.
10a The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
12 He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
13 He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep.
The first thing Jesus tells us is that there will be those who will try to influence our life, but who do not have our welfare in mind. Here he says they try to enter the sheepfold by a different way. In verses 12 and 13 he calls them a hireling and tells us they "care nothing for the sheep." We need to be careful who we follow.
Who are the voices that are drowning out the words of the Good Shepherd in our life.
1. The world: The voices of pleasure and self-pride will often drown out Jesus’ message of sacrifice and humility.
2. Our American society: It’s emphasis on materialism and the rewards of success can easily distract us from heavenly values.
3. Our own fleshly desires: We are so busy doing what we want to do pursuing our own goals that we don’t have time to work for God’s kingdom.
4. The influence of others: Friends and family can distract us from the reality of Christ. Those that don’t believe in Christ have a different value system. Instead of we being a positive influence on their lives for God, sometimes others can be a negative influence on our life dragging us down into sin.
But what does Jesus say in verse 8 about these distracting voices from others? He said the sheep did not heed them. We must not allow them to pull us away from the Good Shepherd.
When the sheep were at the home ranch, they were kept in a large stone enclosure. At night time one of the servants would guard the gate. This was the gatekeeper. Early in the morning the shepherd would take the sheep out to the green pasture to feed and find water. He would actually call them with a low guttural sound, and the sheep would follow him as he was the one that led the way. It is said that sometimes two or three flocks would be together in a village sheep enclosure. When the shepherd would come, all he would have to do is call with his distinct call and only his sheep would follow him out of the sheepfold. After all the spring grass was eaten near their home ranch, then the shepherd would have to take the sheep sometimes long distances to find new pasture. During these months the shepherd would sleep with the flock. Usually he would build a rough enclosure of stones against a hill for the sheep to spend the night. He would sleep across the opening of this sheep pen and would literally become the door of the sheepfold.
Notice that all those who try to enter the sheep-fold don’t come in through the door, but "climb in another way." There is only one door or gate to the sheep-fold. We may want to do things our own way, another way, but there is only one door which is the right door, and that’s God’s way.
There are many ways people try to enter the kingdom of God.
1. Good works: Many people think if they are good enough, God will let them in heaven. But Isaiah 64:6 tells us (KJV), "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." So we aren’t good enough.
2. Attending church. Some people think that if they just attend church and tithe, they don’t have to worry about the kind of life they live. But John tells us in 1 John 2:3-5 (NIV), "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:" We have to have Jesus as our Savior living in our heart.
3. Choose later. Other simply want to wait to the ends of their life to make the choice. They think God will give them a second chance. They don’t want to be bothered being a Christian now because it’s such a bother. But as Joshua 24:15 tells us, "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...."
Notice that Jesus tells us there is only one door. There are not many roads to heaven. Buddha did not die for your sins and Mohammed is not the resurrection and the life. The Yin and the Yang does not fill us with the Holy Spirit and Eastern meditation does not guide us into all truth. The sayings of Confucius are not quick and powerful. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." He is the only way.
Jesus expands upon this idea of the door a few verses later In verses 7-9, he says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door." There is only one door, and that door is Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
Notice that here in John 10:1, Jesus says that the man who tries to climb into the sheepfold another way is a thief and a robber. In English these two words indicate two different ways that someone tries to steal from us. The American Heritage Dictionary points out the difference. The robber is one who "takes property from (a person or persons) illegally by using or threatening to use violence or force." Whereas the thief is, "One who steals, especially one who steals movable property by stealth rather than force." The two Greek words used here, < leste&j> lestes and < kle&ptej> kleptes, carry the same distinctions as the English. In fact from kleptes we get our English word kleptomaniac. I want to examine these two different meanings:
The robber, who steals from us openly.
The thief, who steals from us secretly.
There are things that openly try to rob us from having a relationship with Christ. We can readily define them as wrong, but we are still entrapped by them from time to time. These would include sin and temptations, losing our temper, frustrations at work, and aggravations throughout the day that cause us to lose our focus on Christ. These all try to rob us of our joy.
There are other things that slip in secretly to distract us. They may steal our focus on God with such things as spiritual doubts, discouragement, depression, or self-pity. These thieves come in surreptitiously. We don’t realize when they sneak in, but suddenly we find ourselves spiritually down in the dumps.
In verse 10 Jesus warns us that these bandits come only to steal and kill and destroy. And in verse 8 Jesus says that the sheep do not listen to the thieves and robbers. Who or what is trying to rob your relationship with God? Realize that they are thieves and robbers whose only purpose is to steal your joy. Kick them out of the sheepfold, and don’t let them return.
Verse 2
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
7 So Jesus again said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
10b I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Jesus is the one who enters by the door and is the Good Shepherd. He is the only one who enters our life the proper way. In verse 7, Jesus says, I am the door of the sheep. Not only does he enter the door when we are safe at our home ranch, but he is the door when we are wandering in the wilderness.
The shepherd was responsible for the care of the entire flock. He would have to locate good pasture, and find quiet pools of water. Sheep will not drink from a fast-flowing river. He had to protect the flock against attack by wolves or other predators. He was responsible for keeping the sheep clean and in good health. He sometimes had to apply ointments and other medicines to ward off flying pests and parasites. Sheep will get restless and spooked very easily, so it was the shepherd’s job to make them feel safe. Sometimes sheep would become agitated because of friction in the flock: butting each other to assert their dominance. The shepherd would have to step in to calm the flock. When sheep are agitated or restless, they will not feed or drink properly. The good shepherd had to be constantly alert to the state of his flock for possible dangers or disturbances.
Let’s take a look at what a good shepherd does.
A good shepherd cares for the sheep. Do you realize you are a priority in God’s busy schedule? He has the whole universe to run, but he makes the time to care for you. Even our smallest needs will get his attention. He loves us so much that as verse 11 tells us, Jesus gave his life for us.
A good shepherd makes sure the sheep are well-fed. Jesus cares about our everyday needs. He makes sure we are taken care of. Most of us probably think that we take care of ourselves, but the truth of the matter is: everything we have we owe to God and his kind provision for us.
A good shepherd leads the sheep to good pasture. Not only does Jesus take care of our basic needs, but he does a good job of it. The Lord blesses us in all areas of our life: physically as well as spiritually.
A good shepherd protects the sheep from danger. He keeps away the predators and moves the sheep to safety when stormy weather is on the horizon. Jesus will keep away those who would try to devour us spiritually, and no matter what storm may be raging around us, we can always rest secure in his protecting arms.
A good shepherd would keep his sheep healthy and free from parasites. Jesus will help us when we are sick, and heals our diseases.
A good shepherd will calm his flock when they are agitated. Jesus has promised to give us his peace.
Psalm 23 beautifully describes how Jesus takes care of us. The first 4 verses (NIV) say,
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
As our good shepherd, let’s examine what Jesus did for us.
He sacrificed himself for us. He paid the ultimate penalty for our sins.
He reached out to us with his mercy. Psalm 103:11 (KJV) tells us, "For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him."
He extended his grace towards us. Romans 5:8 (NIV) tells us, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
He intercedes for us with the Father. Romans 8:34 (NKJV) tells us, "Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."
He sends the Holy Spirit to us to lead and guide us. John 16:13 (NKJV) says, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth...."
He promised he will never leave or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV) instructs us, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ "
He gives us strength to overcome difficulties. Philippians 4:13 assures us, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
He renews our mind, heals our body, and refreshes our spirit.
He gives us life more abundantly. Jesus promised in verse 10 here in the tenth chapter of John (KJV), "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Verse 3
To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
9b If any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
To him the gatekeeper opens. We are the gatekeeper. We must guard the door and be careful who we let in. Too often we open the door to everything that comes our way, but we must be selective in what we open our heart and mind to. Who have we allowed to enter into our life? Are these things ruling over us?
Materialism? Is our love for money more important than our love for God?
Ambition? Do we spend all our time pursuing worldly success, and no time pursuing spiritual success
Luxury? Do we spend all our time searching for things, instead of searching for God’s truth?
Being well-liked? Are we so afraid to offend that no one ever hears anything from us about Jesus?
Having a good time? Are we more interested in spending time with our friends at a party instead of spending time with our Lord in prayer?
Or Jesus? Is He truly the center of all our activities? When Jesus is number one in our life, we may have all these other things — money, success, luxury, friends, and fun, but we will have them placed in the proper perspective.
Notice this verse doesn’t tell us Jesus forces his way in. That’s the way of the robber. But he tells us in this verse that the gatekeeper opens the door. We must open the door to Jesus. In Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) Jesus tells us, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." We must open the door.
The next thing this verse teaches us is that the sheep hear his voice. Verse 5 tells us that the sheep do not follow strangers, but flee from them, for they don’t know the voice of strangers. Do you know God’s voice? Can you hear his words? We must learn to listen. When we go to the Lord in prayer, it is natural for us to want to spend the whole time doing all the talking: telling God all our needs, all our prayer requests. But true prayer doesn’t begin until we are ready to listen to what God might want to say to us. Psalm 46:10 (KJV) tells us, "Be still, and know that I am God...." It is only when we are silent before God, that we can begin to learn from him. Of course God can also speak to us through his word, the Bible, through other believers, and through circumstances in our life. But we must be willing to listen for his voice.
Next, this verse tells us He calls us by name. Do you realize that Jesus knows your name? He knows who you are, and understands everything about you. Not only does he know our name, but he also calls our name. He calls us from despair to rejoicing, from weariness to rest, from sorrow to comfort, from pain to healing, from anguish to peace, and from sin to new life. He is calling you. Do you hear his voice? Will you answer his call?
The last phrase of this verse tells us that the Good Shepherd leads his sheep out. He is our guide. Verse 9 tells us the sheep go in and out and find pasture. He knows the path where we should go. He knows the way, and he is leading us every moment of every day of every year of our whole life. He knows the path where we should go. He knows the way, and he is leading us every moment of every day of every year of our whole life.
Verse 4
When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me,
15 as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.
This verse teaches us that Jesus goes before us. We do not have to face the unknown by ourselves. He brings us out. He’s the one who chooses the direction for our day. We don’t have to wander through our day confused and perplexed. Jesus brings us out because we are his own. He cares about us.
Barnes wrote (Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Gospel of John, pg. 315), "He leads them, and guides them, and does not leave them. A shepherd spent his time with his flocks. He went before them to seek the best pastures and watering-places, and to defend them from danger."
This is what Jesus does for us every day. Every time we leave for work, or for school, or for our other activities, he leads us and keeps us from dangers. He then brings us back safely home. There may have been many dangers and pitfalls that day that we were totally unaware of, but he went before us and led us safely through the day.
-excerpt
Studies in the Gospels
