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.
• Obedience to God is more important than sacrifices (I Sam. 15:22)
• The Good Shepherd leads and not drives. Meaning His leading is done w/ gentleness not with harshness (Gen. 33:13)
• Leadership is balanced with gentleness and with concern. Not to please one’s ego but to care for the welfare of the flock.
IV. GIVES LIFE TO THE SHEEP
• The shepherd who owns the sheep is committed to them.
• A hireling tends the sheep for money while the shepherd does it for love.
• Jesus is not merely doing a job, He is committed to love us and even lay down his life for us.
• In contrast to the thief who takes life, Jesus gives life. His own life (John 10:10)
• The life He gives right now is abundantly richer and fuller. It is eternal yet it begins immediately.
• Life in Christ is lived on a higher plane because of his overflowing forgiveness, love and guidance.
• What kind of life are you living right now? Do you want to trade that life for the life Christ is offering?
CHALLENGE:
Do you belong to the sheepfold of Jesus? If you want to experience life in its fullness, come to the Shepherd of our soul. He loves you and died for you!
