The Good Shepherd

Expanding the parable of the sheepfold, Jesus adds that not only is he the “the door”, he is also “the shepherd” of the parable.

John 10:11-21

Jesus is the good shepherd, not a hireling. (v. 11-14).

• For some, it’s just a job. And when the job of shepherding becomes difficult or dangerous, they quickly resign, leaving the sheep to fend for themselves. The hireling leaves in such a situation because it is the nature of a hireling. Of course we are talking about those who pastor people.

Jesus has other sheep, not of the Hebrew line (v. 15-16).

• Known to him, and possibly not to others, is the reality of other sheep. His calling is to gather all sheep into one fold/family under one shepherd, Christ himself. The salvation of the Gentiles and their fellowship with believers who come from the Jewish tradition should not be a surprise to students of the Old or New Testaments.

Jesus offers his life to save others, not that he has to (v. 17-18).

• Voluntary.There is no greater love than this.

Jesus divides men into two groups-those who know him and those who do not (v. 19-21).

• While some think him mad or demon-possessed, others accept Jesus as a miracle-worker from God.

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“I am the door”

Jesus explains the parable of the sheepfold.

John 10:1-10

I. The parable (v. 1-5)

• Thieves and robbers don’t use the door.
• The shepherd enters via the door.
• The shepherd is known and followed by his own sheep.
• The shepherd speaks to the sheep, and leads them.
• The sheep will not follow a stranger because they do not recognize his voice.

II. The explanation (v. 6-10)

• Jesus is the door.
• All other religious saviors are thieves and robbers whom true sheep ignore.
• Coming to (and through Jesus) saves a man.
• Jesus, unlike the thieves and robbers who intend to destroy the sheep, purposes to give abundant life to his sheep.

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Jesus Heard

Always the good shepherd, Jesus finds the man who has been rejected, and comforts him.

John 9:35-41

• Jesus went looking for the lonely man.
• Jesus introduces himself as the Son of God.
• The man quickly believes in Jesus and worships him.
• The paradox of Jesus: the (physically) blind will see and the (spiritually blind but physically) sighted will remain blind.
• Of course, the Pharisees are offended and without understanding.

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“What do you say of Jesus?”

What would you say of One who changed your life forever?

John 9:13-34

• Why was the formerly blind man taken to the Pharisees? Was it to stir up trouble?
• The conflict is compounded because the healing took place on a sabbath day (v 14).
• The sighted man’s testimony is not changed.
• The prejudiced Pharisees require further witnesses that a miracle has occurred. They seeks the man’s parents (v. 18).
• The parents agree that this, their son, was born blind; but, fearing ostracism by their religious leaders, they disavow any knowledge how he has been cured (v. 21-22)
• Their son handles himself well, refusing to take part in the assassination of Jesus’ character, and challenging the Pharisees to accept the obvious truth.
• The Pharisees, unable to answer him, are offended by this unlearned man’s attempt to teach them about God; and they cast him out (v. 34). [But at least his parents were allowed to stay…]

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