The True Shepherd
February 19, 2022
Commentary
Jesus opens this passage with an illustration, one that every listener would have understood. Thieves and robbers attempt to enter the sheepfold by climbing over the wall. A sheepfold normally consisted of four walls of stone, with one door and no roof. The fold is Israel (v. 16), and the thieves are the Jewish leaders who were trying to lead Israel while avoiding Christ, the door (v. 1). A true leader enters by the door and is the only shepherd of the sheep (vv. 2-4). The true shepherdhas a unique relationship with his sheep. He calls them by name and goes before them. The sheep hear his voice and follow Him. They will never follow a stranger, choosing to flee instead, because they don’t recognize their voice (v. 5). The Pharisees did not understand this illustration (v. 6).
Christ explained, “I am the door.” The shepherd would guard his flock at night by lying across the opening. He was the only entrance into the fold (vv. 7-8). The Scribes and Pharisees attempted to enter the fold without using the door. Again, Jesus emphasized that He is the door (vv. 9-10). If any man enters in, he will be saved and find pasture (v. 10) referring to abundant life or the constant nourishment necessary to maintain life. The scribes and Pharisees steal, kill, and destroy. The True Shepherd came to save the sheep, but the false shepherds take advantage of them. Christ gives life (salvation) and gives it abundantly (v. 10). Besides being the only door into the sheepfold, Christ is also the good shepherd (v. 11). He is good because He gives his life for the benefit of the sheep (Ps 23). Jesus is contrasted with the false shepherds who oversaw the Jewish religion of that day. The scribes were merely hirelings who had no true love and concern for the welfare of the sheep (vv. 12-13). In the moment of danger, hirelings run away.
Application
A shepherd is out in front leading his sheep and not behind driving them. Jesus is a good shepherd who does not drive His sheep but goes before them and they follow Him. In my leadership responsibilities I want to be in front with a banner and not behind with a whip.
John 10:1– 13 (NET)
1 “I tell you the solemn truth, the one who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought all his own sheep out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. 5 They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not recognize the stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the solemn truth, I am the door for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not a shepherd and does not own sheep, sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and runs away. So the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13 Because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep, he runs away.
Illustration: The Hole in the Fence
A father was telling his young son the story of a young lamb that one day found a hole in the fence and wandered away from the fold. He told of the terrors and dangers faced by the sheep. He told of how the shepherd went out into the cold, stormy night seeking the lamb, and of the joy when he found it and returned to his home. The boy listened with rapt attention to this thrilling story. Then as his father finished the tale, he asked, “Did they fix the hole in the fence?” (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #9013).