shepherd John 10 1 15 shepherd Woman where

shepherd. John 10: 1 -15

shepherd. “Woman, where are they, has no one condemned you? ” The passage picks up after John 8 and 9. Jesus has witnessed religion attack and prepare to stone a woman caught in adultery and a man born blind. He has witnessed the ugliness of everything religion is in the hands of humanity and He offers a contrast. With Pharisees and disciples listening in, He describes what God is - clearly contrasted to religion. Religion which seeks to control, punish, judge, grade and oppress- He offers intimacy. The intimacy of one that knows by name, guides gently, cares completely and protects to the death. 1 st century Palestine- shepherding would be a topic easily understood by the

shepherd. Audience. (Sheep pens/today/1 st century/mud/brick/cave dwelling) The pen would offer protection from thieves and robbers. (thieve- kleptes/cunning, robberlestes/violent) These protected sheep pens would have one entrance by which sheep would enter and exit offering protection from wild animals and thieves/robbers. In this context Jesus offers a parable explaining who He is and how this contrasts from religion as experienced in chapter 8/9. 1. The Shepherd. Jesus describes the shepherd. The one that enters and has access to the legal entrance. The robbers/thieves try to sneak in (contrastreligious leaders/enemy/false leaders) by any means necessary. Jesus is the fulfillment of OT revelation- He comes to the right place, right time and

shepherd. His sheep recognize His voice. (Shepherd, naming, calling) The shepherd is in intimate relationship with His flock (not religion). (That’s not Jesus) The shepherd would call His individual flock from the pen, they would recognize His voice and follow. The shepherd would lead them from the front (not driving from the back) and would lead them by name to the best pastures and out of danger. (John 8/religion vs. Jesus) If a stranger attempted to call the sheep would scatter when detecting the difference. The audience understand the context but they miss the shepherd. Are you following religion (fear) or are you following the shepherd. It is an invitation to intimacy.

shepherd. 2. The Gate. As sheep returned at night to the pen the shepherd would inspect each as they entered. The shepherd would anoint with oil if they were injured and give water to the thirsty. (Psalm 23: 5 -6) In John 9 the religious challenge the healing of the man born blind, Jesus contrasts that with the shepherd that heals. After the sheep had all entered the shepherd would lay across the entrance for the night becoming the door and protecting the sheep against robber of beast. (Revelation 3: 20) He becomes the door determining who enters and who does not. (Story) Though many had come before (Death of Herod the Great/uprisings/false leaders) He is the true gatekeeper, the true shepherd. Those that led through violence, uprising, revolt, manipulation (John 8: 59) are not the shepherd. They sought power,

shepherd. Jesus’ concern is the well being of His flock. 3. Divine Shepherd. Jesus is the Shepherd. (Psalm 23/Jer. 23: 1 -3/Ezekiel 34: 12 -15) The LORD is my shepherd. I will gather my flock. I myself will be a shepherd of my sheep. Jesus describes a God that willingly lay down his life to protect his flock. A shepherd that knows His flock and a flock that knows Him. (Know- ginosko/a relationship of trust and intimacy) It is a shepherd that is not distant, is not removed, is not controlling but knows His flock. Unlike religious leaders that are hirelings, ones that scatter when danger approaches Jesus is the shepherd that will risk His life to protect the flock. (False anchors/true anchor-Jesus)

shepherd. Jesus watches the horror of religion in action and offers us a different path. It is the path to the shepherd. The one that offers protection, rest, comfort. The one that will bring His flock from pasture to pasture and when night nears He is the one that will lay across the entrance offering His body as protection. He becomes the gate for His flock. John 8/John 9 - John 10.