Jesus, The Good Shepherd Series

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

JOHN 10:1-15

Psalm 23

Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ

July 04, 2021

Video Link: https://youtu.be/wUnbno3rOZo

INTRODUCTION:

A favourite passage of Scripture with many people is the 23rd. Psalm.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

As we look at Jesus as the Good Shepherd, I believe that in many ways he is revealing himself as the one David spoke of when he said: “The Lord is my Shepherd.”

Today I want us to see teachings of Jesus the Good shepherd.

I. JESUS IS THE GATE. (10:1-10)

We see the picture of the sheep pen. (10:1-6)

A.) During the time of Jesus sheep and shepherds were a common scene.

aa.) Many times, Jesus used sheep and shepherds as illustrations in his teachings.

ab.) In John 10 Jesus speaks of a sheepfold.

aba.) This would have been a common picture in first century Israel, and even today is a common scene over there.

ac.) During the daytime, Shepherds would be grazing their sheep in various places where there was adequate pasture and water.

aca.) As I think on this, I hear the words of David:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

ad.) At night the shepherd, or even numerous shepherds would bring their flocks to an open-air pen to keep their sheep in safety for the night.

ada.) This enclosure could be at the end of a canyon enclosed on three sides.

adb.) At the entrance there would usually be a door or gate that could be closed after they had entered the fold.

B.) In the parable some have climbed into the sheep pen through some way other than the door.

ba.) Jesus describes these as thieves and robbers.

bb.) From the context it becomes obvious Jesus is referring to the Pharisees, and other religious leaders as the thieves and robbers.

C.) In contrast to this the man who enters the sheepgate by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep. (10:2)

ca.) “The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice.” (10:3a.)

caa.) Those religious leaders were not the true Shepherds of the flock of God, but Jesus was.

D) " He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” He goes on ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (10: 3b.- 4)

da.) Some of these shepherds would play flutes and even sing to the sheep.

db.) Many of these men would have special calls by which they would call their sheep.

dc.) These sheep became used to the special call and voice of their shepherd and would follow his voice.

dd.) There in the fold there might be different flocks of sheep and their shepherds.

E.) “They will not follow a stranger in fact they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (10:5)

ea.) When morning would come each shepherd would use his special call, and those of his sheep would follow him while other sheep would not listen to that call or follow that shepherd.

F.) The people did not clue into what Jesus was saying so he gives them another illustration.

Jesus identifies himself as the gate for the sheep. (10:7-10)

“I am the gate for the sheep.” (10:7)

aa.) I want you to picture in your mind this picture.

aaa.) Jesus is describing himself as the very gate for the sheep.

aab.) Sometimes these sheep folds might not have a gate on them.

.01) In that instance the shepherd would lay down at the entrance of where there would normally be a gate and would himself become their gate of security and protection from predators, and harm.

.02) For Jesus to be our gate, it gives us a wonderful image of how our Lord deals with his sheep.

.04) Jesus is the protector of the sheep, just as we see in the words of David from Psalm 23.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.