The Door, The Good Shepherd, The Son of God
In John chapter 10, Jesus teaches about the difference between the false shepherds (the Pharisees) and the True Shepherd (Himself). Shepherds were common during this time in history, so the people could easily understand what Jesus was speaking about. Jesus begins by talking about the characteristics of a true shepherd.
First, the true shepherd enters through the gate (or door). The watchman at the gate recognizes the shepherd and allows him to come in. Second, the sheep know the voice of the shepherd. Because the shepherd spends so much time with the sheep, the sheep learn the voice of the shepherd and respond only to it and no others. Third, the sheep will follow the shepherd because they trusted him. (It is interesting to note that shepherds in this area “led” their sheep; they did not “drive” them.)
“To a sheep, a stranger is anyone they do not know, someone who could possibly do them harm.” (Harvest study) Jesus also shared what the signs of a false shepherd were and the potential consequences for following them. First, a false shepherd (or thief) will not enter by the gate, but will have to climb over a wall. Second, the false shepherd would not come to care for the sheep but to steal, kill or destroy. False shepherds are only concerned about their own provision. Third, a false shepherd will run at the first sign of danger. He is only concerned about his own protection and not that of the sheep.
Warren Wiersbe writes that Jesus is the door. He helps the sheep leave their sin and leads them into salvation by entering His flock. He adds, “When you go through ‘the Door’ you receive life and you are saved. As you go ‘in and out’, you enjoy abundant life in the rich pastures of the Lord. His sheep enjoy fullness and freedom. Jesus not only gave His life for us, but He gives His life to us right now!”
In spite of this simple illustration, the Jews still missed the point Jesus was trying to make. Jesus then gives a second illustration, referring to Himself as the door, or gate, for the sheep.
“On any given day, the shepherd would lead his flock out of the sheepfold to graze on the hillsides in the morning hours. Then as the day became hotter, he led them to a make-shift shelter where they could rest. The shepherd himself or a doorkeeper (watchman) would lie across the opening so that no wild animals endangered the sheep. They were safe and secure in his protective care. At night, the same nurturing care was repeated. Although the sheep were often mingled with others to rest, when the shepherd appeared to call forth his sheep, one by one they responded to his voice alone.” (Harvest study)
In verses 8-10, Jesus tells the people that those who came before Him were thieves and robbers. And that those who enter by Him will not only receive salvation, but will find safety, have their needs met and will live life to the fullest.
Ezekiel 34 also speaks about false teachers versus the True Shepherd. In verses 1-10, Ezekiel writes about the religious leaders taking advantage of the people by taking from the people for themselves. They did not lead the people to true faith or care for their needs. Because of this, God was against them. In verses 11-31, the True Shepherd is said to seek out the lost. He will look for them, rescue them, provide for them, heal and strengthen them.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Unlike someone hired to care for the sheep, He was willing to lay down His life for His sheep. A hired hand would not likely be willing to lose his life for the sheep, so would run away.
Warren Wiersbe writes that “under the old dispensation, the sheep died for the shepherd, but now the Good Shepherd dies for the sheep.” Jesus “died as a substitute, willingly laying down His life for us.” He goes on to say that “while the blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient for the salvation of the world, it is efficient only for those who will believe.”
The intimacy spoken of in verses 14-15 reflects the relationship between God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Warren Wiersbe says, “in the gospel of John, the word ‘know’ means much more than intellectual awareness. It speaks of an intimate relationship between God and His people. The eastern shepherd knows his sheep personally and therefore knows best how to minister to them.” Our Lord knows our names. He knows our natures. He knows our needs. “As the shepherd cares for the sheep, the sheep get to know their shepherd better.”
In verse 16, Jesus speaks about adding to “this fold”. The flock was not going to remain a “Jewish flock”. John 3:16 reminds us that God loved the world. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the gospel message would go forth into all the world. There is to be one flock, with one shepherd, Jesus Christ.
In verse 17, Jesus says He would give His life only to take it up again. Jesus willingly died on the cross for our sins because He loves us. God gave Him the authority to rise from the dead three days later. Without the authority of the Father, no one would have had the power to kill Jesus.
“The more Jesus talked about who He was, the angrier the Jews became, leading once again to divided opinions; and what was true then remains true today. You can talk about Jesus as the Good Shepherd, but unless you place your faith in Him, you will never settle the issues of your life; you will never experience the abundance of life He came and died for you to have. The evidence is there: He is your Good Shepherd! Are you His sheep? (Harvest Study) “It is impossible to be neutral about Jesus Christ, for what we believe about Him is a matter of life or death.” (Warren Wiersbe)
John 22 takes the reader forward three months, to the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem. Once again, the religious leaders surround Jesus and ask Him to tell them if He is the Messiah. “Jesus reminded them of what He had already taught them. He emphasized the witness of His words and His works.” (Warren Wiersbe) The Jewish leaders didn’t understand because they were not Jesus’ sheep. Jesus continues in verses 25-30 to make His point. “The sheep are secure in (Jesus’) hand and in the Father’s hand. . . The false shepherds bring destruction (John 10:10), but the Good Shepherd sees to it that His sheep shall never perish.” (Warren Wiersbe) “The eternal security Christ gives is unchangeable - it cannot be altered: ‘No one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.’” (Harvest Study)
In Colossians 3:3-4, Paul reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we have died. Our life is now hidden in Christ with God. When Christ appears, we will appear with Him in glory. Our fate is secure.
The Jewish leaders again wanted to kill Jesus. He questions them about which of His miracles they want to stone Him. They replied that they wanted to stone Him for blasphemy, for making Himself one with God. Jesus quotes Psalm 82 to them to counter their charge. “In this Psalm, God judges the leaders of the people - those whom He sites as ‘gods’ (commissioned representatives of God) - who were sitting in judgment of the people but who were failing to help those who were oppressed and in need.” (Harvest Study) His point being that if the Scriptures referred to false leaders as ‘gods’, then how was Jesus guilty of blasphemy by referring to Himself as God’s Son?
Jesus goes on to tell the leaders that if they cannot believe Him based on His words, then they should believe Him because He does what the Father does. But if they couldn’t believe Him based on that, then they had His miracles as proof.
Jesus, however, was unable to change their minds and needed to escape from their hands. When He taught on the east side of the Jordan where John had been baptizing, many people realized what John had spoken about was true “and many people believed in Him there.” (verses 41-42).
Warren Wiersbe writes:
“Jesus is the Door. Have you entered by faith to be saved?”
“Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Have you heard His voice and trusted Him?”
“Jesus is the Son of God. Have you given yourself to Him and received eternal life?”
John 8:24 reads, “If you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”
First, the true shepherd enters through the gate (or door). The watchman at the gate recognizes the shepherd and allows him to come in. Second, the sheep know the voice of the shepherd. Because the shepherd spends so much time with the sheep, the sheep learn the voice of the shepherd and respond only to it and no others. Third, the sheep will follow the shepherd because they trusted him. (It is interesting to note that shepherds in this area “led” their sheep; they did not “drive” them.)
“To a sheep, a stranger is anyone they do not know, someone who could possibly do them harm.” (Harvest study) Jesus also shared what the signs of a false shepherd were and the potential consequences for following them. First, a false shepherd (or thief) will not enter by the gate, but will have to climb over a wall. Second, the false shepherd would not come to care for the sheep but to steal, kill or destroy. False shepherds are only concerned about their own provision. Third, a false shepherd will run at the first sign of danger. He is only concerned about his own protection and not that of the sheep.
Warren Wiersbe writes that Jesus is the door. He helps the sheep leave their sin and leads them into salvation by entering His flock. He adds, “When you go through ‘the Door’ you receive life and you are saved. As you go ‘in and out’, you enjoy abundant life in the rich pastures of the Lord. His sheep enjoy fullness and freedom. Jesus not only gave His life for us, but He gives His life to us right now!”
In spite of this simple illustration, the Jews still missed the point Jesus was trying to make. Jesus then gives a second illustration, referring to Himself as the door, or gate, for the sheep.
“On any given day, the shepherd would lead his flock out of the sheepfold to graze on the hillsides in the morning hours. Then as the day became hotter, he led them to a make-shift shelter where they could rest. The shepherd himself or a doorkeeper (watchman) would lie across the opening so that no wild animals endangered the sheep. They were safe and secure in his protective care. At night, the same nurturing care was repeated. Although the sheep were often mingled with others to rest, when the shepherd appeared to call forth his sheep, one by one they responded to his voice alone.” (Harvest study)
In verses 8-10, Jesus tells the people that those who came before Him were thieves and robbers. And that those who enter by Him will not only receive salvation, but will find safety, have their needs met and will live life to the fullest.
Ezekiel 34 also speaks about false teachers versus the True Shepherd. In verses 1-10, Ezekiel writes about the religious leaders taking advantage of the people by taking from the people for themselves. They did not lead the people to true faith or care for their needs. Because of this, God was against them. In verses 11-31, the True Shepherd is said to seek out the lost. He will look for them, rescue them, provide for them, heal and strengthen them.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Unlike someone hired to care for the sheep, He was willing to lay down His life for His sheep. A hired hand would not likely be willing to lose his life for the sheep, so would run away.
Warren Wiersbe writes that “under the old dispensation, the sheep died for the shepherd, but now the Good Shepherd dies for the sheep.” Jesus “died as a substitute, willingly laying down His life for us.” He goes on to say that “while the blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient for the salvation of the world, it is efficient only for those who will believe.”
The intimacy spoken of in verses 14-15 reflects the relationship between God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Warren Wiersbe says, “in the gospel of John, the word ‘know’ means much more than intellectual awareness. It speaks of an intimate relationship between God and His people. The eastern shepherd knows his sheep personally and therefore knows best how to minister to them.” Our Lord knows our names. He knows our natures. He knows our needs. “As the shepherd cares for the sheep, the sheep get to know their shepherd better.”
In verse 16, Jesus speaks about adding to “this fold”. The flock was not going to remain a “Jewish flock”. John 3:16 reminds us that God loved the world. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the gospel message would go forth into all the world. There is to be one flock, with one shepherd, Jesus Christ.
In verse 17, Jesus says He would give His life only to take it up again. Jesus willingly died on the cross for our sins because He loves us. God gave Him the authority to rise from the dead three days later. Without the authority of the Father, no one would have had the power to kill Jesus.
“The more Jesus talked about who He was, the angrier the Jews became, leading once again to divided opinions; and what was true then remains true today. You can talk about Jesus as the Good Shepherd, but unless you place your faith in Him, you will never settle the issues of your life; you will never experience the abundance of life He came and died for you to have. The evidence is there: He is your Good Shepherd! Are you His sheep? (Harvest Study) “It is impossible to be neutral about Jesus Christ, for what we believe about Him is a matter of life or death.” (Warren Wiersbe)
John 22 takes the reader forward three months, to the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem. Once again, the religious leaders surround Jesus and ask Him to tell them if He is the Messiah. “Jesus reminded them of what He had already taught them. He emphasized the witness of His words and His works.” (Warren Wiersbe) The Jewish leaders didn’t understand because they were not Jesus’ sheep. Jesus continues in verses 25-30 to make His point. “The sheep are secure in (Jesus’) hand and in the Father’s hand. . . The false shepherds bring destruction (John 10:10), but the Good Shepherd sees to it that His sheep shall never perish.” (Warren Wiersbe) “The eternal security Christ gives is unchangeable - it cannot be altered: ‘No one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.’” (Harvest Study)
In Colossians 3:3-4, Paul reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we have died. Our life is now hidden in Christ with God. When Christ appears, we will appear with Him in glory. Our fate is secure.
The Jewish leaders again wanted to kill Jesus. He questions them about which of His miracles they want to stone Him. They replied that they wanted to stone Him for blasphemy, for making Himself one with God. Jesus quotes Psalm 82 to them to counter their charge. “In this Psalm, God judges the leaders of the people - those whom He sites as ‘gods’ (commissioned representatives of God) - who were sitting in judgment of the people but who were failing to help those who were oppressed and in need.” (Harvest Study) His point being that if the Scriptures referred to false leaders as ‘gods’, then how was Jesus guilty of blasphemy by referring to Himself as God’s Son?
Jesus goes on to tell the leaders that if they cannot believe Him based on His words, then they should believe Him because He does what the Father does. But if they couldn’t believe Him based on that, then they had His miracles as proof.
Jesus, however, was unable to change their minds and needed to escape from their hands. When He taught on the east side of the Jordan where John had been baptizing, many people realized what John had spoken about was true “and many people believed in Him there.” (verses 41-42).
Warren Wiersbe writes:
“Jesus is the Door. Have you entered by faith to be saved?”
“Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Have you heard His voice and trusted Him?”
“Jesus is the Son of God. Have you given yourself to Him and received eternal life?”
John 8:24 reads, “If you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”
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