The Good Shepherd

John 10:1-42

Review• Some Pharisees had asked Jesus if they were

blind (Jn 9:40)– Jesus told them . . . (Jn 9:41)

• If they had been blind (knew their condition and need), then they would now see (by the light of the world)

• But since they thought they were okay (seeing), then they were still in sin (blind)

• Then Jesus made the following illustration

The Illustration• John 10:1-6

– 2 kinds of people want the sheep• Thieves v. 1, 5

– Can’t use the door– Aren’t known or followed by the sheep

• Shepherd v. 2-4– Uses the door– Known and followed by the sheep

– This “figure of speech” was not understood:• They understood the physical • They did not understand the significance

– What did it have to do with the question about being blind?

Explanation• John 10:7-10

• I am the Door of the sheep– The sheep who belong to God will listen to none

but the true shepherd• There are others calling the sheep – thieves

– Jesus claimed to be the way (door) • Remember, thieves will not use the door (v 1)

– Sheep following thieves will be destroyed (hell)

• Sheep who use the door (Jesus) will be saved– Have life more abundantly (blessings/eternal life)

Explanation• John 10:11-16

• Not only is Jesus the “door”, He is the Good Shepherd!

• Who would lay down His life for His sheep– Not a hireling, but the owner of the sheep

• Who knows His sheep and is known by them

• He has other sheep (Gentiles) who will hear Him– All His sheep will be one flock (the church – Eph 1-2)

Explanation• John 10:17-18

– As the Good Shepherd. Jesus was intimately linked to the Father • God was recognized as Israel’s true shepherd

(Psa 23, Ezk 34:11-16)

– Jesus actions, even dying, were part of the Father’s plans• Jesus going to willingly die to save His sheep

– But no one could take His life against His will– And Jesus claims the power to take up His life– Both claims are claims to deity

• Yet the Father’s command was for Him to die and take up His life again, so He would do that

Reactions• SUMMARY: Jesus is claiming to be . . .

– 1) the door – 2) the good shepherd– 3) and God– …. At the same time!

• The people’s reactions (John 10:19-21)– He (Jesus) was insane and/or has a demon

• Why listen to Him? Ignore the signs because you disagree with the teaching (blindness)

– God must be with Him, because “Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”• The sign proves we must listen to the teaching

(seeing)

The Continuation• John 10:22-24

– At the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) • 2-3 months later (after Jn 7:1-10:21)

– People want a clear answer from Jesus• Probably the topic of conversation for months

• “If You are the Christ, tell us plainly”– Don’t make us try to figure it out for ourselves

(spiritual laziness)

The Continuation• John 10:25-30

– Jesus said His works testified of Him, but they did not believe His works (signs)• The works showed He was the Christ

– Since they wouldn’t believe His works, they wouldn’t believe His words• Even if He said “I am the Christ”• They were not His sheep

– His sheep know, follow, and obey Him• He gives the eternal life which no one can take

away (Rom 8:35-39)• Because that is the Father’s will and “I and My

Father are one”

The reaction• John 10:31-33

– The Jews again (Jn 8:59) decide to stone Him– Jesus asks which of the many good works He

has done is the reason for stoning• All those works showed the Father’s approval

– The Jews say the stoning would be for blasphemy because “You... make Yourself God”• They miss the fact that if the works are from God,

then God must agree with Jesus’ teaching

Explanation• John 10:34-38

– First, Jesus uses Ps 82:6 • Which Jews knew was from God’s inerrant Word

• Which uses the word “gods” for men who act as judges on God’s behalf

• Therefore it can’t be blasphemy to call oneself “the Son of God” if one has a different mission from God (not as physical judge, but as Christ)

– Second, the works Jesus has done witness to Who He is• And repeats essentially what He said in 10:30

• He is God!

Reactions• John 10:39-42

– Jewish leaders wanted to kill Him• Again He escapes from right in front of them

– Not told how, either miraculous or awe/fear

– Jesus leaves Judea, going into Perea (across the Jordan) for the next few months

– Many came to hear Him there• Compared Jesus to John the Baptizer

– Held John to be a prophet, but he didn’t do signs– Jesus did signs, showing He was greater– John had testified of Jesus (Jn 1:6-9, 15, 26-36)

• Therefore many believed in Jesus

Conclusion• John 20:30-31

– Jesus is calling you to be part of His flock• If you want to be His sheep, then you will hear

His voice (follow and obey Him)

• If you don’t listen to Him, then you are not His sheep, no matter what you say or do (Mt 7:21-23)

– Will you listen to His call?