Sermon: The Characteristics of a Good Shepherd
John 10:1-10 ““I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” 6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me[a] were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.[b] They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
Introduction: After being labeled as a sinner and deceiver because he healed a man blind from birth on the Sabbath Day, Jesus sets the record straight. In John 10, Jesus introduces an allegory describing the true nature of his ministry. An allegory, like a proverb, is a natural story, full of hidden meaning designed to reveal a great spiritual truth. Jesus is the good shepherd. To understand this allegory, we must understand God’s relationship with his covenant people. In the Old Testament, Psalms 23 and 80, God reveals himself as Israel’s shepherd and Israel as God’s little flock. The Psalmist David and all Israel were very familiar with this concept.
John Chapter 10 is a continuation of the discourse with the Pharisees from John 9:39. Jesus is represented as the Good Shepherd who offers up his life to save his sheep. The truth of self-sacrificing love set forth. This is the center characteristic of a good shepherd. This allegory of the sheep, the sheepfold and the Good Shepherd seek to reveal us the spiritual truths taught by Jesus about who He is, who we are and whose we are. When Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd, his listeners, steep in middle eastern culture recognized that Jesus was presenting himself as Israel’s good shepherd and long-awaited Messiah. At the same time, Jesus’ references to the hirelings or hired hands was an unmistakable attack on the Scribes and Pharisee who looked the part but conducted themselves as hired hands.
It was not a new concept. It had been introduced by Ezekiel and Jeremiah. They described hirelings as those who cares nothing for the flock, but cares only for themselves and what they can get. The characteristics of a good shepherd are revealed in Joh 10. 1. The good shepherd comes honestly and uprightly to the door of the sheepfold. 2. The good shepherd is known by His sheep, and he has an intimate relationship with them. 3. The good shepherd carefully guides the sheep, and his sheep follow him. 4. The good shepherd is alert and keeps his sheep alert to dangers all around.
Just as the good shepherd takes care of the sheep, the Lord take care of his people. All these characteristics are found in Jesus Christ. Jesus not only described himself as the true shepherd, and furnished hints for distinguishing the unfaithful guides of the people at that time, and those who may appear in all subsequent ages. Make no mistake about, those who claim God’s authority, should walk worthy of their calling.
The first outstanding attribute of the good shepherd is that they honest and upright who enter by the door. Anyone who choose to enter not by the door into the fold are thieves and robbers. In the East sheepfolds are enclosures built to protect the sheep during the night. The surrounding wall has only one door, through which the flocks are driven into the fold at evening and a porter was assigned to keep the way. True shepherd entered by the door. Jesus the Christ is our Good Shepherd because he entered by the door.
1. The Good Shepherd Is honest and upright in his approach. He enters by the door. Generally, we understand that anyone choosing to enter our home without permission is up to no good. To enter by the door means that someone has given assess. Jesus enter humanity according to the will of God and according to the prophets. He became flesh and dwell among by the will of God. Jesus alone is the door through whom all must enter to become a part of his family. Israel was God’s covenant people and were under his protection. The natural sheepfold was a place of protection and care during the night in a world full of thieves and robbers. Some bible scholars see this passage as referring to Christ and his entry into the world verses Satan and his entry into the world. Spiritually, the sheepfold refers the God’s Church as a haven in this present dark world, exposed to deceivers and nonstop persecution. The good shepherd refers to self-sacrificing leaders God sends who knows his sheep, guards them, guides them by his word and leads them by his Spirit, goes before them into green pastures, allows them to follow in his step and quiets all their fears. The Good Shepherd Is honest and upright in his approach because entered by the door and was given access. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”
2. The Good Shepherd is intimate His relationship with the sheep. His sheep know his voice and follow their shepherd. The sheep know their shepherd, follow their shepherd, listen to his voice, and obey his command because of an intimate relationship with the shepherd. An intimate relationship with the shepherd allows the sheep to draw close to their shepherd, be cautious of strange voices, and shy away from strange leaders. Apparently without an intimate relationship, the sheep may become confused, may be drawn away from their shepherd and even wandered into danger. I believe this allegory is important because there are so many calling voices in the world. Sheep must stay close to their shepherd, learn his voice, and follow his lead.
There are scammers, identity thieves and deceivers all around us today. As we struggle to overcome pandemics, racial injustice, and many other social ills, it becomes difficult to know the voice of truth. Wearing mask, hand washing, social distancing, receiving the vaccine are all influenced by the voice we listen to. An intimate relationship with God, his Word and leading is critical to our success.
The religious leaders were reporting that Jesus was an imposter. The people were confused, many did not understand and were unsure of who to follow. They wanted to know; how can a sinner do such miracles? Isn’t he a good man? What evil has he done? Confusion was the order of the day. Jesus presents himself as the good shepherd, God’s caregiver, and God’s provider for His people. Then as he explained the parable, Jesus spoke plainly, I am the door, the protector and security of the sheep. Jesus is the passageway to life and fuller life. Jesus leads us into greater, fuller, and more blessed privileges than ever before experienced. His sheep know him and his voice. He knows them and knows their names. He calls them collectively and individually. Because of that relationship, they have no trouble following him. When we have an intimate relationship with God and follow our own heart, we will have no trouble following Him.
3. The Good Shepherd Leads Obedient Sheep to Abundant Life. Some misguided sheep complain about the restrictions of obedience. They refuse to hear his voice or follow his instructions. The Good Shepherd is God’s way of providing plain and simple directions for His sheep to receive maximum benefits. First, we come to him for salvation. We are invited into a relationship of belonging. Second, constant guidance in a changing world. He will lead us in and out to green pastures and still waters. He knows the way through the darkness and lights our way as we follow Him. Third, usefulness in service, he offers us an opportunity for service to God, to others and value for ourselves. As important as relationship and guidance are, service helps us discover the purpose of life and give life meaning. Yet the Good shepherd does not limit our lives to relationship, guidance, and purpose, He desires each of his children to experience green pastures, a place of bountiful blessing. He offers life to the full. He offers “Life More Abundantly.” Although, it will be different for every person, it will more than you can think or imagine. He is the shepherd. David was an earth shepherd who risk everything for the safety and security of his sheep. He led them to still water and green pastures. He killed a bear and lion to rescue his sheep. Those sheep belong to Jessie his father. We belong to God, need I say more?
4. The Good Shepherd Alert the Sheep to danger. Just as God warned Adam and Eve of the Serpent in the garden, Jesus alerts His sheep to the identity and motives of the hirelings and the thieves. 10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:” We must beware of thieves and robbers. Jesus Christ identifies thieves and robbers as those seeking entry by climbing up some other way. Beware of them. Then we are warned about hirelings, those careless in their duty, neglectful of the sheep and will leave the sheep unprotected. The Good Shepherd alert the sheep to the dangers all around.
The abundant life Christ offers is available to all but will be challenged. We have been equipped to endure and overcome, but we must beware. The good shepherd is all powerful with provisions for any crisis. He can and will protect us and provide for us. Yet we must stay close and stay alert. No matter how the thief presents himself, his purpose is unchanged. Jesus removes the disguise and reveals his true motives. He comes to steal your peace and contentment; steal your joy and the joy of your salvation; and finally, he comes to kill your witness, reputation, and influence.
Be alert that lurking around the sheepfold are thieves and robbers, and in the sheepfold are unfaithful hirelings who care little for the sheep. Sometimes, they come like a trojan horse with an enemy hidden within. Be alert but don’t be afraid. Your good shepherd laid down his life for us. No one took his life, nor did any need to raise him to life, he got up! We all were like sheep who had gone astray, but he found us and rescued us. We owed a debt we could not pay. He paid a debt He do not owe. He died in our place because he is the good shepherd. He obtained our pardon, gave us our freedom so we could experience the abundant life.
Plant earth was corrupted by sin, He did not die for plant earth. Heaven was polluted by his sin, He did not die to redeem Heaven. The law of God and its doctrine were polluted. He did not die for the Law. He laid down his life for the sheep. We love Him because he first loved us. Many may still not believe in him. Many choose to ignore his voice and all that he has done. For of us who believe, He is the way, the door, the passageway to God and Heaven.
His sheep recognize his voice and choose to follow him. As a matter of fact, “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.”
