THE LATER JUDEAN MINISTRY

-Jesus - The Good Shepherd

-John 10:1-21

-“It is doubtful whether the teaching that follows was spoken in connection with the preceding

 chapter.  Some think the former chapter was spoken at the feast of tabernacles (chapter 7) and

 this at the feast of dedication (verse 22) in the winter.  They are distinct enough to have been

 spoken on different occasions, and yet show enough similarity to be a continuation of the same

 discourse” (Lipscomb, pg 150).

-“The setting is still Jerusalem. A connection between the presentation of Christ as the Good

 Shepherd and the events of the preceding chapter is readily perceived. The Pharisees, acting like

 hirelings, had no real concern for the sheep, as evidenced by their attitude toward the blind man.

 When this one had been cast out, Jesus came and welcomed him into His fold” (Wycliffe). 

            -In verse 21, we find a reference to the opening of “…the eyes of the blind”, clearly a

             reference to the events of chapter 7.  However, in verses 25-30, Jesus repeats the allegory of

             the sheep following The Shepherd.  Clearly, this was at the time of the Feast of Dedication

             (vs 22), but these were things that Jesus had already told them - perhaps several months

             earlier.

            -“In this section Jesus proceeds to contrast his own care for humanity with that manifested by

             the Pharisees who had just cast out the beggar” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 468).

            -We will consider John 10:1-21 as in direct connection to the events and time frame of

             John 9.

-We need to remember that there is more than one parable presented in these verses. 

 “…[P]ersons frequently conclude that because a person or fact represents one thing in a parable

 it must do it in all parables.  This produces confusion…In the first parable, Jesus is the Shepherd

 entering into the fold and calling his sheep.  In the second, Jesus is the door by or through which

 the sheep enter into the fold of God” (Lipscomb, pgs 150-151).

-We’ll consider John 10:1-21 in three sections:  vs 1-6, vs 7-10, vs 11-21.

-vs 1-6

-“This parable is based on what is said to be the practice of the shepherds in the east.  The

 different flocks of sheep are gathered at night into one common fold, the door is closed, a porter

 keeps the door, and in the morning the shepherd comes, the porter opens the door to him as he

 comes, he calls his sheep by name, and the sheep know their shepherd’s voice, and follow him”

 (Lipscomb, pg 151).

-Unlike the blind leaders that considered themselves the shepherds of God’s flock (see Ezek

 34:1-6), Jesus was the true shepherd.  The Jewish leaders were not following the proper ways of

 God and were therefore robbers and thieves.  Jesus had come in the prescribed manner of the

 Messiah - through the door - in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.  He was teaching and

 abiding in the ways of God.

-As the Shepherd, Jesus knew His flock and those in God’s flock knew Him.  They recognized

 His voice and followed Him.  They would not follow the strange voices of the Jewish leaders.

-What was the point?  The Jewish leaders were not in God’s flock due to the fact that they failed  

 to recognize and follow The Shepherd.  But, verse 6 indicates that the Jewish leaders didn’t

 understand.

-vs 7-10

-Jesus then identified Himself as the door of the sheep.  He provided the way of entrance into

 God’s fold.  Others, who had previously made such claims, were thieves and robbers.  If

 anybody is going to enter into salvation, he must do so through the door - Jesus Christ.  There is

 simply no other way.

            -“As the shepherd leads his sheep in for protection and out for pasture and water so Christ

             will give these protection and food” (Lipscomb, pg 154).

-Thieves come in selfishness and lead their followers on a path that leads to despair and

 destruction.  The way that Jesus provides leads to life - life abundantly.

            -It is true that properly following Jesus ultimately leads one to everlasting life -spiritual life.

            -However, let us not forget that properly following Jesus also produces rewards in this

             physical life. 

            -By following The Shepherd, we can have a life that has purpose, understanding, true

             fulfillment, joy, peace and hope.  Those who go through life without any spiritual guidance

             seek happiness and fulfillment but often times find emptiness, strife, turmoil, envy and

             misery.

                        -Truly, the Christian life is the good life!

-vs 11-21

-Here Jesus identifies Himself as the “good shepherd” who came to give His life for the sheep. 

 He is not like a hired hand who might flee in the face of danger &/or opposition.  Jesus knows

 His sheep and cares for His sheep - to the extent of dying for them.

-Jesus did not place self-interests before the good of the flock, such as a hired hand would do. 

 Jesus didn’t seek His own will but the will of the Father.  Therefore, He was willing to die in

 accordance with God’s plan for the good of the sheep.

-Jesus, by referring to the fact that He had “other sheep…which are not of this fold” (vs 16),

 indicated that He not only came for the good of the Jews but also for the good of the Gentiles. 

 Through Christ, both could be considered part of God’s sheep and would be brought into one

 fold.  (see Eph 2:11-16)

-“The reason God loved Jesus and sent him to save sinners was because he had no will save to do

 the will of God and was willing to die to save all who would serve God” (Lipscomb, pg 156).

            -Notice, mankind did not take the life of Jesus.  Instead, He gave it for mankind.

            -“This necessity of Christ to express the voluntary nature of his forthcoming death probably

             derived from his dual purpose:  (1) of preventing the exultation of his foes in thinking that

             his death would be their victory, and (2) of preventing the despair of his disciples in thinking

             death might defeat him” (Coffman, pg 257).

-Again (see John 7:40-43, 9:16), there was a division amongst the Jews regarding Jesus.  Some

 claimed that He was demon-possessed and should not be listened to.  They could not deny the

 mighty works of Jesus, yet they accredited that power to an evil source.  Others refuted their

 claim by referring to the healing of the blind man, a very good work which would not result

 from that which is evil.

            -“The preaching of Jesus always produced effect. It made bitter enemies or decided friends.

             So will all faithful preaching. It is not the fault of the gospel that there are divisions, but of

             the unbelief and mad passions of men” (Barnes).