I am the Good Shepherd Jn 10 11

I am the Good Shepherd Jn 10: 11 -16

Introduction The use of shepherd and sheep in OT God as shepherd for His people Ps 28: 9, 77: 20 & 78: 52; Is 40: 11; Jer 32: 10 People of Israel regularly referred to as sheep Ps 74: 1, 79: 13, 95: 7 & 100: 3; Ez 34: 11 -16 We know from last week Jesus is using a shepherd/sheep analogy with the Pharisees Last week we looked at Jesus as the door for the sheep This week we will look at the transition of teaching from being the door to being the shepherd

I am the Good Shepherd Jn 10: 11 As the “Good Shepherd” He reveals His character OT men knew Him as “The Good Shepherd” Ps 23; Ez 34: 11 -16 The Lord is good Nah 1: 7; Ps 34: 8; Jer 33: 10 -11 Only one is good Mt 19: 16 -17

The Shepherd cares for His Sheep by warning them of dangers to the flock The danger of the thief/robber stranger Jn 10: 1, 5, 8 & 10 This one steals from the flock for his own benefit Jesus described the Pharisees in this manner on a separate occasion Mt 23: 15 Their concern was self image rather than concern for their disciples Mt 23: 1 -12

The Shepherd cares for His Sheep by warning them of dangers to the flock There are thieves and robbers who encroach on God’s people today Paul warns Timothy of this in both his letters 1 Tim 6: 3 -5; 2 Tim 3: 1 -5 We can recognize these people by their fruits Mt 7: 15 -20 The danger of the hireling vs 12 -13 He tends to the flock strictly for his own benefit He is content to feed but if danger comes, he runs He is the watchman in Ez 33: 1 -6 who fails to warn the coming of the enemy He is the shepherd spoken of in Ez 34: 1 -6

The Shepherd cares for His Sheep by warning them of dangers to the flock The danger of the wolf destroying the flock He is the agent of Satan He has no concern for the flock at all Consider the following passages Mt 7: 15; 2 Cor 11: 12 -15; Acts 20: 28 -29

The Shepherd shows His Care & Concern for the sheep by laying down His life to spare them He substituted His life for theirs Jn 10: 11, 15; Rom 5: 6 -8; 1 Pet 3: 18; 1 Jn 3: 16

I know My sheep and am known by My own (Vs 14) Many define the basic element of the shepherd/sheep relationship as intimate Thayer defines “know” in the following manner To learn to know, come to know To have knowledge of Jewish phrase for intimacy between a man and woman To become acquainted with, to know Intimacy is more than just knowledge Real intimacy, in any personal relationship is always mutual Intimate knowledge is not the same as detailed knowledge

I know My sheep & am known by My own (Vs 14) We are to “Know” the shepherd Pray to know Him better Eph 1: 15 -17 Use His word and understanding 1 Jn 5: 20 He is not far Call on Him for He is near Ps 75: 1 & 145: 18 Seek Him, He is not far and may be found Acts 17: 26 -27; Is 55: 6 Find Him before your heart is hardened Mt 13: 15 -16

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold (Vs 16) Not of this fold-not Jews This is a distinct intimation that the gospel was to be preached to the Gentiles a doctrine extremely offensive to the Jews. This prediction of the Saviour has been strikingly confirmed in the conversion of millions of the Gentiles to the gospel. (Barnes Notes on the Bible) Them also I must bring Bring into the church and kingdom of heaven. This was to be done, not by his personal ministry, but by the labor of his apostles and other ministers. (Barnes Notes on the Bible)

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold (Vs 16) One fold - One church there shall be no distinction, no special national privileges. The partition between the Jews and the Gentiles shall be broken down, and there shall be no pre-eminence of rank or honor, (Barnes Notes on the Bible) Eph 2: 11 -14; Rom 10: 12 One shepherd – That is, the Lord Jesus the common Saviour, deliverer, and friend of all true believers, in whatever land they were born and whatever tongue they may speak. (Barnes Notes on the Bible)

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold (Vs 16) The distinguishing mark of the Christian Church throughout all the world, is that it has only one head, that is Christ, the only keeper, and only shepherd of it. (Geneva Study Bible) And over this fold, or flock, there is but one shepherd, Jesus Christ; who is the rightful proprietor, and whose own the sheep are; and who knows how to feed them, and does take care of them; though there are many under shepherds, whom he employs in feeding them; in the original text the copulative "and" is wanting, and the words stand thus, "one fold, one shepherd"; which not only expresses a peculiar elegance, but answers the proverb delivered in the same form; and to which agree the Arabic and Ethiopic versions, which render them, "and there", or "they shall be one fold of one shepherd"; or one flock which belongs to one shepherd only; (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)

Conclusion Jesus is the great shepherd of our souls 1 Pet 2: 25 & 5: 4; Heb 13: 20 As a shepherd Jesus does 3 very important things for us Leads us Ps 23; Mt 6: 13 Feeds us Ps 23; Mt 4: 4 & 5: 6 Protects us Ps 23; Mt 6: 25 -34; Rom 13: 5 -6