The Good Shepherd Knows His Sheep
March 6, 2019
Commentary
The Pharisees were strangers, but Christ knows His sheep (vv. 14-16). Christ has a relationship with the sheep similar to His relationship with His Father. Jesus will bring other sheep (both Jews and Gentiles) into his flock (v. 16). Jesus will take up his life again. His death will be followed by His resurrection (vv. 17-18). Jews were divided in their opinion (vv. 19-21). Some thought Jesus was mad and demon-possessed, while others were impressed by His miracle on behalf of the blind man (John 9).
There is a two-month gap between verses 21 and 22. The “feast of the dedication” (Hanukkah) (v. 22) takes place in December. This feast celebrates the rededication of the temple by Judas Maccabaeus in 164 B.C., after it had been desecrated by the Romans. The leaders surrounded Jesus in the Temple, looking for a “showdown.” They said, “If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly” (v.24). Jesus, knowing that it would only give these religious leaders more reason to oppose Him (vv. 25-29), gave them a “plain answer” saying, “I and my Father are one” (v. 30).
Christ pointed out that they were not “of His sheep” and therefore could not believe. He gave a beautiful description of true Christians. They are His sheep. Sheep are clean animals, just as Christians have been cleansed from their sin. Sheep flock together, and so do true believers. Sheep are harmless, and Christians should be blameless and harmless. Sheep are prone to wander and so are we! Sheep need a shepherd for protection, guidance, and food; and we need Christ for spiritual protection, daily guidance, and spiritual food. Sheep are useful and productive; so are true Christians. Finally, sheep were used for sacrifices; and Christians are willing to yield themselves to Christ as “living sacrifices” (Rom. 12:1).
Application
Just think about the fact that Jesus knows everything about you! Is there anything you wish He didn’t know? Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (10:27). Am I ready to respond to His voice and follow Him in every area of my life?
John 10:14– 30 (NET)
14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not come from this sheepfold. I must bring them too, and they will listen to my voice, so that there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 This is why the Father loves me —because I lay down my life, so that I may take it back again. 18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down of my own free will. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it back again. This commandment I received from my Father.”
19 Another sharp division took place among the Jewish people because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He is possessed by a demon and has lost his mind! Why do you listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of someone possessed by a demon. A demon cannot cause the blind to see, can it?”
22 Then came the feast of the Dedication in Jerusalem. 23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple area in Solomon’s Portico. 24 The Jewish leaders surrounded him and asked, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus replied, “I told you and you do not believe. The deeds I do in my Father’s name testify about me. 26 But you refuse to believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from my Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”