I am the good shepherd (John 10a)

John 10:1-21
Key verse 10:14-15

One day in 1994 just after I came to America, I went somewhere and got lost. Since GPS was not available yet, my wife and I had no idea where we were. Even worse, it began to rain and it was getting dark. And my car was running out of gas. I was so scared. Then I found someone walking and I stopped him in desperation and asked him how to get back to University Blvd. University Blvd was the only road I knew at that time and my English was so terrible. Thankfully, he kindly showed the way to University Blvd and I got back to University Blvd. Without the person’s help, I could have been totally lost. This kind of thing happens In the course of life as well. We often get lost and stuck somewhere but without any help. Do you have anyone who can walk with you and lead you to the right path? Do you have your life GPS? Today, we are going to talk about whom we can trust and follow.    

1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.

Today’s passage is connected with the previous passage through verse 1. Jesus tells to the Pharisees (9:13-14, 16. 40) who excommunicated the man who was once blind but healed by Jesus. Now Jesus speaks to them a figure of a story of the shepherd and the sheep.

The sheep pen is an enclosure for confining sheep where they stay at night or during cold weather. There is one gate to the sheep pen and sheep come in and go out through the gate. The shepherd also goes through this gate to bring out his sheep. But there are some people who do not enter the sheep pen by the gate. They instead climb in by some other way. They are thieves and robbers.  

2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

In Jesus’ time, tending sheep was a family business. Some families kept their sheep together in the same sheep pen. They hired a watchman and let him guard the gate. So in view of verse 3, the sheep pen here was run by several families and the gatekeeper was a watchman they hired. At night the shepherd put their sheep in the sheep pen and in daytime they led them out and went to pasture. Let’s see how the shepherd leads out his sheep from the sheep pen.

First, the shepherd enters the sheep pen by the gate. The gatekeeper knows the shepherd so he opens the gate for him. Interestingly, the shepherd calls out his own sheep. He does not have to identify his own sheep by sight and push them out. He just calls them out instead because his sheep recognize his voice. Sheep are very vulnerable animals. They are not fast. They have terrible eyesight. They are stubborn. They have no weapons to defend themselves. But they have good ears. So they can tell who is who by the voice. They recognize their shepherd by his voice and follow him. More interestingly, the shepherd calls his own sheep by name. He does not say, “Everybody, come out!” Instead, he calls their names one by one, “Angel, Spotty, Smarty, Sweetie, Lazy, …” He knows all of his sheep by its name, meaning that he knows each sheep – their character and bent, their appearances and habits, their health, and so on. This shows that the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep is personal and intimate. It is much like the relationship between a pet dog and its owner today in America. After calling them out, the shepherd goes ahead of them. Again, the shepherd never pushes them or drive them. He always goes ahead of them and then his sheep follow him. This is very important to sheep because following a wrong person leads them to death. So if they hear a stranger’s voice, they never follow him and run away from him.

Very interestingly, the Bible compares God to the shepherd and his people to sheep. For example, God said to Israel in Ezek 34:31,

“You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God.”

In many respects, we humans are like sheep. We do not see well so we easily get scared and lost. We don’t know well where to go, what to study, when to marry, and what is good or bad. We are also weak so we have no ability to defend ourselves or solve our problems. If sheep fall into a pit or are flipped over, they cannot help themselves at all. Likewise, once we commit a sin, we find no way out. So we humans absolutely need a shepherd who knows the right path for us. And God is the shepherd. But we also should know that there are always thieves and robbers around us. The bigger problem is that humans do not tell well between the shepherd and a thief though sheep do. Actually, we humans are more stubborn and foolish than sheep. No matter how smart, strong, knowledgeable, handsome or rich you are, you are sheep, vulnerable sheep. So we need God our shepherd. People say that we should be our own man. But without the shepherd, we will get lost and become preys to thieves and robbers.

By saying this figure of speech, Jesus pointed out that the Pharisees were like thieves and robbers. They did not care about people God entrusted to them. And they did not recognize what Jesus did for the blind man but they tried to use him to accuse Jesus. They did not know how wicked they were. So Jesus explains his figure of speech and also expands it to show them who he is and who they are.

Jesus is the gate 

7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Jesus declares that he is the gate for the sheep. Many of the sheep in Jesus’ time were tended on the east side of the central mountains, which were dry and so was not a good place for tending sheep. So the shepherds traveled together with their sheep to find pasture. They often went far away from home. Their journey could take several months. One time Jacob’s sons went to Dothan in search of pasture for their sheep and Jacob sent Joseph to find out how they were doing. (Gen 37:14-17) So at night, the shepherd built a temporary sheep pen in the open field wherever they stayed and put his sheep in there. And he himself slept in the gateway of the sheep pen. By doing this, he kept his sheep safe in the sheep pen and checked to see if they were okay whenever they passed through the gate. In the morning, he let his sheep out to feed on pasture. So when Jesus says that he is the gate for the sheep, he means that he is the shepherd who sleeps in the gate to protect and feed the sheep.

Jesus says, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” He came to save his flock and feed them and give them life and let them enjoy abundance in him. This reminds us of what God said in Ezek 34:14-15.

“14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Do you see God’s desire for us? He wants to give us life and provide for us so that we may be happy in him. This has been fulfilled by Jesus. He saves us and protects us and provides for us. Jesus is the one who gives life and sustains us. We are safe and happy in Jesus. Only he can give us life. But the thieves come to steal and kill and destroy. Here, “all who have come before me” refer to not only the Pharisees but also those who pretended to be the Messiah before Jesus came. Their purpose was obvious – to steal and kill and destroy sheep for their benefits.

There are so many thieves and robbers around us. Some bad guys kidnap children and women to abuse them or sell them for money. Such people are evil and God will deal with them harshly. But there are also other kinds of thieves and robbers who destroy people’s souls. And they are deceiving and people easily listen to them. One of my colleagues is a very nice man. He is kind to me. But he serves in a cult group. He thinks the group is a church. But he does not know that the cult is destroying him and his family. I pray that God may have mercy on him and save him from the thief. Again, whom you listen to is very important. Listen to Jesus. He is the gate who can protect you and provide for you and give you life.   

I am the good shepherd

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

Now Jesus declares that he is the good shepherd. This means that he is the only true shepherd. He says this one more time in verse 14. Why is Jesus the good shepherd?

First, Jesus laid down his life for his sheep. In fact, this does not mean that he is the good shepherd because he laid down his life. Rather, his death for the sheep attests that he is the good shepherd. There is the hired hand who watches over the sheep for the owner. Since his interest is in his wages, he does not risk his life when a wolf comes to the sheep. When the wolf attacks the sheep, the hired hand runs away to save his life, abandoning the sheep. That is the big difference between the hired hand and the good shepherd. Since the hired hand does not own the sheep he does not want to lose his life. But the good shepherd owns the sheep and loves them so he is willing to lay down his life for his sheep. In ancient time, some shepherds actually died while protecting the sheep from wild animals.

Jesus is the good shepherd so he laid down his life for his sheep. The words “lay down his life” or the like appears five times in this passage. Laying down his life for the sheep is the true image of the good shepherd. Jesus did not just risk his life or pretend to die. He indeed laid down his life for us on the cross. King David was depicted as a good shepherd. Psalm 78:70-72 say,

“70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; 71 from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.”

God said to him, “You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.” (2 Sam 5:2) He shepherded Israel well. But he was not perfect. He killed Uriah his faithful servant to cover up his adultery with Uriah’s wife. God rebuked and punished David not only because David killed Uriah but also because David abused his power, which God gave him to take care of his sheep, to satisfy his sinful desire and to cover up his evil and to save his life. King David was a good shepherd but not the good shepherd. But Jesus gave all for the sheep. In the previous chapters, Jesus healed the invalid man and the blind on the Sabbath, risking his life for the sheep. And his deed eventually led him to death. Jesus did not save himself to save people. He laid down his life on the cross to save us from our sins! He is the good shepherd. He is the true and only shepherd God promised and attested.

Second, Jesus is the good shepherd because he knows his sheep and his sheep know him.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Verses 14 and 15 are similar to verse 11 but the words “I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father” is added in the middle. This explains why and how he laid down his life for the sheep. Jesus knows his sheep and he is known by his sheep. This relationship is illustrated earlier when the shepherd calls out his own sheep by name and they listen to his voice and follow him. This intimate relationship indicates that Jesus did not die for his sheep accidentally, unwillingly or forcefully. He laid his life because of his close and personal relationship with the sheep. He gave his life out of love for his sheep. This is explained more by the words “just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” This means that his relationship with the sheep is derived from or based on his relationship with the Father. Let’s see how his relationship with the Father is.

17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

What amazes us is that Jesus says he has authority to lay down his life and authority to take it up again. The authority is from God and no one can take it from Jesus. But he laid down his life because it was the command he received from the Father. The command for Jesus was to die for the sheep and rise again. Jesus obeyed God’s will to die and then rose from the dead though he has authority not to die. In other words, he laid down his life willingly in obedience to God and then he took his life back. So the Father loves him. In that respect, his death is different from some heroes who die for others. Jesus laid down his life in obedience to God’s will and plan. He bore unbearable shame and pain on the cross. He died willingly and joyfully for sinners out of love. So Rom 5:7-8 say,

7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Again, Jesus laid down his life based on his love relationship with the Father and also his love relationship with his sheep. He died to rise. He died to give us life. He died to glorify God.

Lastly, Jesus is the good shepherd for other sheep too.

16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

Here, “other sheep that are not of this sheep pen” refers to Gentiles. He will bring them too into his flock so that there shall be one flock and one shepherd in God. Jesus did not come to save Israel only but gentiles as well. He came as the shepherd for all peoples so that they would become one under his name. Ezek 37:24 prophesized,

24 “‘My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees.

As such, Jesus is the good shepherd so that he laid down his life for the sheep, including gentiles, of his own accord in obedience to God’s will. He is the shepherd God promised.

Jeremiah 3:15 says, “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”

By his death and resurrection, Jesus has revealed that he is the Messianic shepherd they have to believe. Some Jews identified Jesus as the shepherd God promised. But sadly many others said that Jesus was demon-possessed.

In today’s passage, Jesus declared that he is the good shepherd. By his death on the cross, we receive salvation and life and abundance. 1 Peter 2:25 say,

“For you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Whenever I read today’s passage, I am reminded of what King David said in Ps 23,

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Though David suffered so much, he always found peace and strength in God his shepherd. And today the Lord is Jesus. Jesus is the good shepherd to me too. He has saved me from my sins and protected me and provided for me so I am here now. I am a timid man but I have peace because my shepherd Jesus is with me. I don’t know where to go but I know that he is leading me in the best way. As I said earlier, I totally got lost one time at a strange place. That kind of thing happened many times in my life. I didn’t know what to do with my sins. I didn’t know what to do after my college graduation. But Jesus always walked with me even when I forgot about him. Most of all, he has laid down his life for me, an undeserving sinner. He knows me. He loves me. He is indeed the good shepherd. He is the shepherd for all of us. I pray that he may lead us continually and we may put our trust in him and follow him and enjoy the life he has given us. May God bless you to have Jesus’ life in you and enjoy his relationship with you. by David Yun