I KNOW MY OWN – Jesus is the Good Shepherd who takes care of His sheep.

JOHN 10:7-14, 25-30

MEMORY VERSE: JOHN 10:14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

The ability to recognize individual voices is thought to be important for the sheep’s survival, as it allows them to know who to follow and who to ignore.

There are a few theories about how sheep are able to recognize individual voices. One theory is that they learn to recognize their shepherd’s voice over time.

Another theory is that they are able to pick up on subtle cues in the shepherd’s voice that signal that it’s safe to follow.

Whatever the mechanism, it’s clear that sheep are able to recognize their shepherd’s voice and use it to decide who to follow. This ability is important for their survival, as it allows them to know who to trust and who to ignore.

THE CONTEXT (JOHN 10:1-42)

Jesus often used parables, metaphors, and similes to teach spiritual truths in ways that ordinary people could understand easily. As He continued speaking to His disciples and others in John 10, Jesus employed two important word pictures. He likened Himself to a gate and to a Good Shepherd. Jesus was both the gate by which the sheep entered the pen and the Shepherd who called them forth. No one can legitimately enter without going through the gate – Jesus.

Jesus condemned false prophets who tried to steal sheep by climbing over the wall. The thief sought to steal, kill, and destroy. In contrast, Jesus came to give eternal and abundant life. This life is eternal because it can never be taken away or lost. Believers enjoy the protective care of Jesus and the Father because the two of them are one, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.

This life is also abundant. It does not begin at death but at the moment a person is saved by faith in Christ. Jesus does not want His children merely making it through the day. He wants us to experience the overflowing joy of His presence through the Holy Spirit.

Unlike the thief who wants to harm the sheep, the Good Shepherd came to love, protect, and care for the sheep. The sheep represent believers who know Jesus. When He calls His sheep, they follow Him because they know His voice. They are familiar with Him and know He loves them.

Jesus loves His flock so much that He laid down His life for them. He is not a hired hand who flees when threatened by a predator. The hireling runs because the sheep are not his. The Good Shepherd isn’t looking to escape. He protects His flock even at the cost of His own life. Interrupting Jesus, the Pharisees demanded He clearly state if He was the Messiah. Jesus had already made His identity clear, but they refused to believe. They became enraged when He claimed to be one with the Father. They tried to kill Jesus, but He escaped and traveled to the area around the Jordan River. People there remarked that even John the Baptist never did works like Jesus, and many of them believed in Him.

THE GATE (JOHN 10:7-10)

7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.

8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

Many children have heard their parents say, “I’m going to tell you just one more time.” That statement means the child needs to listen carefully and pay close attention. The word for “truth” translates two Greek words that could be transliterated as “amen, amen”. Jesus emphasized the point by including “I tell you”. The statement was valid, and it was vital because it was spoken by the Messiah about Himself.

Jesus described Himself as “the gate for the sheep’. In His day, sheep often pastured in open fields, guarded by shepherds much like the ones associated with Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:8-9). Other times, sheep were kept in folds or pens to protect them from predators. Enclosed by stone walls, an opening was used as a gate, and the shepherd would sleep across the doorway. Anyone or anything wanting to harm the sheep had to climb the wall or overcome the guardian.

Earlier, Jesus had related the common experience of a sheepfold, the importance of the gate, and the relationship of the true shepherd and his sheep. Only He provides legitimate access to the sheepfold, a metaphor for the kingdom of God.

Jesus addressed not only His closest disciples, but also His most determined opponents. Jewish historians recorded various false prophets who claimed to be the Messiah. Other imposters would appear after Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus warned against anyone who sought to gather followers through deception (Matt. 24:23-24).

9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

Hebrew literature often used repetition for emphasis. Jesus again employed the “I am” statement in relationship to His role as the “gate” to the kingdom (sheepfold). Anyone desiring to be part of God’s kingdom “enters by me”. As He told Thomas later, no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). He is the only gate. Postmodern assertions that there are many ways to heaven are false; otherwise, Jesus didn’t need to die on the cross.

Not everyone will accept Him as Savior and Lord. However, if a person comes to Jesus by faith, that individual “will be saved”. Jesus used “saved” in this context to mean eternal life. “Find pasture” portrays God’s protection, peace, and provision.

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 contrasted the intentions of a “thief” (false Messiahs) and Himself. Anyone who does not enter through the gate (Jesus) “comes only to steal and kill and destroy”. Self-centered frauds are not interested in the sheep’s welfare. Like their master, Satan, they hate God’s people. They would steal them, if possible, through deceitful doctrine and tempting enticements. The enemy wants to kill them and destroy their influence lest others hear, believe, and find salvation.

Jesus wants us to have life to the full, to be the best and most productive person that we can be. Jesus gives us His abundant life through the Holy Spirit. Believers find abundant life though faith in Jesus.

THE TRUE SHEPHERD (John 10:11-14)

11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Again Jesus uses the “I am” statement. He states that He is the “good shepherd”. In the Old Testament, the prophets used shepherding imagery to contrast evil leaders with God’s loving guidance (Ezek. 34:1-31; Jer 23:1-4).

When predators attacked the sheep, a shepherd either fought or fled. Only the Good Shepherd was willing to risk his life to protect the flock. Moving beyond the metaphor, Jesus was connecting His death with salvation.

Jesus was not a victim of religious or political persecution. As God’s Son, no one had the power to take His life. Instead, He willingly sacrificed His life for us (John 10:18).

12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns 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.

The ‘hired hand” represented the Pharisees and other religious figures who did not bear true love for God’s people. They enjoyed position, prosperity, and power, but they were not willing to sacrifice themselves for the well being of the flock. Without a committed shepherd, the “wolf”, representing Satan, snatches and scatters them.

The “hired hand” labored solely for wages, and really didn’t care about the sheep. This portrait contrasts starkly with the Good Shepherd who surrendered everything.

14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--

Believers can trust Jesus to protect them. Since He loved us enough to lay down His life for us on the cross, He will withhold nothing good from us. We need not fear the attacks of evil people or quake at harmful circumstances we face. Our Shepherd remains close at hand to provide, lead, care, and defend. He is always in control.

THE SECURING SHEPHERD (JOHN 10:25-30)

25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me,

26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.

27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

John shifted his scene to the Festival of Dedication. It celebrates the Maccabees' victory over Greek oppression and the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. As Jesus walked along the eastern porch of the temple, known as Solomon’s Colonnade, some Jewish leaders demanded that He clearly say whether He was the Messiah. Repeatedly, He had declared Himself to be God’s Son, the Christ. The problem was not with His lack of clarity but with their stubborn refusal to believe. The leaders had a determination to reject what He said and who He was.

These people did not believe simply because they were not Jesus’ sheep. While Jesus would receive anyone who followed Him in faith, the Jews who confronted Him were not from His flock. For the third time in this chapter, Jesus referred to His personal relationship with His sheep. The sheep recognize the Good Shepherd as He called them.

They were not merely a flock or herd, Jesus knew each one of them. Jesus knows each believer individually and loves them. Consequently, we should follow Him gladly.

28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

30 I and the Father are one."

Eternal life is a gift. We do not deserve it and cannot earn it. Second, this gift comes from God through Christ. It cannot be gained elsewhere. Third, this life is eternal, both in quality and quantity.

As a result of Christ’ gift, believers rest in the secure knowledge that their salvation is kept by Him. Their eternal soul will never perish, and the enemy can never snatch them out of God’s hand. The devil cannot wrestle us from His grasp. We are secure in His righteousness, power, and love.

This statement contains several important points. First, the Father is Jesus’ Father. God also becomes our Father when we receive the Son by faith. Second, the Father is the source of our salvation through Jesus. He gives believers to Christ as they believe in Him. Third, because the Father is all powerful, it is impossible to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. Neither Satan nor sin can separate us from God (Rom. 8:31-38).

Human logic cannot grasp how God expresses Himself in three persons while being one God. God exists outside the realm of human understanding. The Jews understood that Jesus was claiming equality with God and sought to kill Him for blasphemy. What they could not comprehend, they condemned.

Believers rest in Jesus’ hand. He and the Father embrace us with unrelenting power and love. As is often stated, Jesus does the saving, and God does the securing. Our role is to respond in faith.