Jesus The Good Shepherd

JESUS: THE GOOD SHEPHERD

TEXT: JOHN 10:1-21

INTRO:

Jesus reveals himself in many ways. As savior, Lord, God, Healer and even a friend. Here He reveals His relationship with us in a different way but signifies His love and care for His people.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD…..

I. KNOWS THE SHEEP

A. By name

• The shepherd knows his sheep and the sheep knows the voice of the shepherd

• Often sheep were intermingled but the shepherd knows his sheep.

• Do you know the Shepherd’s voice?

• Our name is our identity. Even before we were born, our parents already had a name for us. Why? To avoid confusion and identity crisis. Who wants to be called by psst!?

• Even pets have their names. And when you call them, they respond.

• Calling by our name means personal knowledge.

• GOD KNOWS WHO YOU ARE!

• By calling us and knowing us by name means that God did not make a mistake in choosing us (Isa. 43:1; Jn. 15:16)

• God never forgets a name (his knowledge of Abraham, Moses and David)

B. By condition

• God’s knowledge of us is not limited to our name, our outward or outside appearance and condition (I Sam. 16:7)

• God’s knowledge is complete.

• It includes even the smallest detail of our lives and our deepest secret (Ps. 139:1-6, 13-16)

• He can meet us at our point of need and he alone understand our situation

 The Samaritan woman (Jn. 4:17-18)The woman caught in adultery (Jn. 8:1-8)The widow of Nain (Lk. 7:12-13)

• I John 3:20; 2 Tim. 2:19; Heb. 4:13

II. CARES FOR THE SHEEP

- The major function of a shepherd is care

A. Protection

• Sheep pen were used to protect the sheep from thieves, weather or wild animals.

• This can be caves, sheds or open areas surrounded by walls made of stones or branches.

• Usually, the shepherd himself served as the gate of the sheep pen (sheep cote, sheepfold)

• Gate is a symbol of protection.

• Jesus is the gate.

 Gate of protection and gate to salvation (Jn. 14:6)

• Just as a shepherd cares for his flock in protecting them.

• Jesus the Good Shepherd, cares for His flock (those who follow Him) Ps. 23:4

• God has put a hedge of protection to surround His people (Job 1:10; Ps. 34:7). God’s protection is complete (Ps. 121)

B. Provision

• A shepherd not only protects his sheep but also provides for their needs (Ps. 23:1-2a)

• In providing for their needs, the shepherd brings the sheep to still waters to drink and to a green pasture to feed

 Sheep only drinks from still waters. Running water drives them away.

 In still waters, they can drink in peace and without fear of being carried by the current of water

 A good shepherd feeds his sheep with fresh grass and not dried grass with no nutrients.

 Green pastures symbolizes “fresh things”

• God also gives us blessings with peace and comfort.

• His provision like his mercy and goodness is new every morning (Lam. 3:22-23)

• He will not give us stale bread but fresh blessings (Exo. 16)

• “I shall not want” is a statement of mature faith. Meaning you have a complete confidence and trust in God

III. LEADS THE SHEEP

- This means guidance and leadership that shows us WHERE TO GO and WHAT TO DO (Ps. 23:3b)

• A shepherd guides and leads his sheep where to go and what to do.

• He goes ahead of them and not behind them (Heb. 12:2).

• In guiding or leading the sheep, the shepherd gives clear direction and will not confuse the sheep.

• When we allow God to guide us as our Shepherd, we have contentment.

• Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will not bring us to a place of harm but to a place of blessing and comfort (Jer. 29:11)

• Even in the midst of storm, our Shepherd is able to guide us through them if we are able to follow Him (Jn. 16:33)

• A sheep will go astray if it failed to follow the voice of the shepherd.

• There are sheep who climbs the pen and are stubborn

• This kind of sheep, who usually go astray and rebellious, the shepherd breaks a leg to teach it how to follow.

• Then he will take care of the sheep until its leg heals. After this, the sheep will walk closely with the shepherd.

• A sheep who got lost will not be able to return and that’s why the shepherd out to find it

• Remember to go the shepherd’s way and not our own way.

• The Lord is the Good Shepherd. Let us also be good sheep – not frightened, passive animals but obedient followers. Wise enough to follow the One who will lead us in the right place and in right ways.