"Jesus Is The Good Shepherd
John 10:11-18
In John 10:7-10 He changes the metaphor from the Shepherd to the Door and then in Jn 10:11-18 He again speaks of sheep and describes Himself as the good Shepherd. Last week we discovered that in John chapter ten Jesus made two “I AM” statements in which He clearly stated for the people in general and the Pharisees in particular what the “true” Good Shepherd should look like. He stated that He was the both the “The Door of the Sheep” (v. 10) and “The Good Shepherd” (v.11).
Last week we looked at that He was the one and only door of the sheep and this morning we are going to look at the fact that He is the Good Shepherd in verse 11 through 18. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. (12) But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. (13) The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. (14) I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. (15) As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (17) “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. (18) No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
In these verses Jesus declares that He is the “Good” Shepherd. The Greek language has several words that conveys the idea of goodness and very often they do not differ a great deal. Here he uses the word (kalos) for “good” which refers to that which is morally good but also to that which is beautiful as well as what is what is good. We have taken this over into our language when we speak of beautiful handwriting as “calligraphy.” We gain the sense of this when we compare Christ claim to be the “good shepherd” with His parallel claim to be the “true vine” (John 15) and the “true bread” (John 6) the word means genuine or true as opposed to that which is false or artificial. But we also must understand that He is claiming beyond that He is not just one “a” good shepherd as though there where others, He is saying, He is “the” one and only Good Shepherd! Even though as the Prince of Preachers Charles Spurgeon wrote, “ … there is more in Jesus, the good Shepherd, than can be packed away in a shepherd,… ” still Jesus did describe himself as a shepherd. So, there must be lessons for that he want us to gain from the study of them. But first I want to briefly look at the characteristics of sheep and why they need a shepherd.
What It means to be a sheep!
From almost all accounts sheep are not the sharpest of animals and perhaps require more care than any other domesticated animal. Perhaps most telling is that it has been said that sheep are prime evidence against the theory of Evolution – because if evolution is true there is no way sheep could have survived
1. Sheep have no sense of direction.
But let’s just say they have no sense of direction. In fact, they will follow whoever is leading them, even if it leads them off a cliff. Remember when your parents asked you the question, “If your friend jumps off a cliff, would you do it too?” Well, they actually would. How many times do we follow someone who is leading us in the wrong direction or acting foolishly? Or especially as young people we imitate others because we think what they are doing is cool, when they are really just doing something stupid. Can you see why God compares us to sheep in the Bible?
Another reason that human beings are compared to sheep in the Bible is that sheep are prone to wander away from the flock. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every-one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).
A sheep’s only chance of survival is with the flock under the care of a competent shepherd. Yet sheep become overconfident, rebellious, or distract-ed, and they wander away. They notice greener grass in the other direction or fail to notice when the flock moves away.
2. Sheep are defenseless.
One of the important characteristics of sheep that we should note is that sheep are so utterly helpless that the shepherd must look to meet all of their needs. Sheep are one of the few animals that do not have any defense system. Sheep are helpless without a shepherd (Matt.9:36; Num. 27:17). We are much the same way we are mostly defenseless. God compares us to sheep in the Bible because we need His protection. And we need to stick together as fellow Christians.
3. Sheep can’t get up without help
Sometimes, sheep turn over on their back (like a turtle) with their legs flailing in the air. There is an old English shepherd’s term for this. It is called “cast” or “cast down.” A “cast” sheep is actually a pitiful sight. It will die if the shepherd does not lift it and put it back on its feet. When in this position, it is completely helpless to prey around it. Furthermore, it could get left behind when the flock moves on.
How often have we been “cast down” or flailing on our backs? I can think of a few times when I would have been in serious trouble with-out intervention from the Good Shepherd. Thank goodness He loves us enough to help us get back on our feet. I know God compares us to sheep in the Bible for good reason. We are a mess without Him. Isaiah says, “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11 ESV).
4. Sheep cannot care for themselves when wounded.
When sheep get a wound or a bite, they can’t care for themselves. Other animals lick a wound until it heals, but sheep do not. They need a shepherd to tend to their injuries.Many times, there would be a ointment that needed to be put on their leg and possibly binding of the wounds. A good shepherd would look after the wound constantly until it was healed completely.
Psalm 23 describes the care provided to those who trust in the Lord as their shepherd. Psalm 23:6 says, “you anoint my head with oil” as the good shepherd Jesus looks after our wounds, treat them with salve, and bind them up. This is why God compares us to sheep in the Bible. The Psalmist says, “He heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds” (Ps. 147:3)
5. Sheep are not meant to carry burdens.
You will never see sheep carrying a pack on their back. Other animals are good for carry-ing things, but not sheep. They were not meant to carry a heavy load. They would be crushed under such a weighty burden.
This is another reason God compares us to sheep in the Bible. We were not meant to carry our burdens. We are to give Him our heavy load so He can carry it for us. In the Old Testament the Psalmist says, “Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He will sustain you” (Psa.55:22). And in the New Testament we read. “Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7)
6. Sheep are valuable.
The only sense in which being compared to a sheep is a compliment, is a realization of the significance of sheep in the Bible. Sheep were treated as a prized possession in Jesus’ day. You were counted as a wealthy man if you owned large flocks because they provided meat, milk, and wool. And they produced offspring. Shep-herds made many sacrifices to make sure their flocks were protected. They knew it was their livelihood at stake.
How much more precious are we than smelly sheep? Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us because He loved us so much. He died on a cross so we would live with Him forever. Now can you see the significance of sheep in the Bible? God views us as priceless. [drawn from Julie Plagens. “9 Shocking Reasons Why God Compares us to Sheep.” https://momremade.com/god-compares-us-to-sheep/]
Having noted the characteristics of sheep I want us to note three things about the relationship of the shepherd to his sheep.
First, His Declaration As The Good Shepherd. (10:11-18) “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
This fact is obviously of crucial importance because it is repeated four times (vv. 11, 15, 17 and 18). But it is also important because of the contrast that is drawn with the hireling who runs away when danger threatens (vv. 12-13) “But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. (13) The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.” Jesus contrasts the true shepherd who will risk his life for the sheep with a hireling who runs from the wolf and leaves the sheep behind to be attacked and scattered. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. Three things stand out about His death.
•This death was Voluntary.
Jesus’ death was neither an accident nor a tragedy. Jesus says in verse eighteen, “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself.” He says he lays down his life of his own accord which makes it clear that his life is not simply taken from him by his enemies. “He did not die as a martyr, killed by men; He died as a substitute, He willingly laid down His life for us” Warren Wiersbe.
He chose to lay down his life for His sheep. He offered His life as a sacrifice for the sheep. The sheep were in mortal danger not from beasts such as wolf and lions but from sin.
•This death was Vicarious.
Jesus dies according to verse eleven, “for the sheep” – “for” is the Greek word (Huper) which means not just “in behalf of” but “instead of.” “Vicarious” describes something performed or suffered in the place of others - it is just a big word that means Jesus was our substitute. That is Jesus did not die for His own sins – He had none – but for ours in our place. As the Apostle Paul states in Romans 5:6-8, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. (8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ died not only in behalf but in an even great sense in our place!
•This death was Victorious. (vv. 17-18)
As we will note in verses seventeen Jesus further makes it clear that His death is victorious in that He has the authority to lay down his life and the authority to take it back again. “….I lay down My life that I may take it again. (18) No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself.” I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” Not only is the Good Shepherd willing to Die for His Sheep but …
Secondly, His Description as The Good Shepherd. (10: 14)
“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”
There was a beautiful relationship between the shepherd and his sheep in Jesus’ day. He says the Good Shepherd loves the sheep. You say, "I don’t see the word love in there." No, you don’t. But it still tells us He loves the sheep. How? Because He uses the word "know," and this word "know," is (ginosko) and it means to know experientially. It’s not to know by reading it in a book, it’s to know it because you have experienced it.
And the word "know" very often in the Bible is used in terms of a love relationship. In the Old Testament it says, "Cain knew his wife and she bore a child." (Gen 4:17) It doesn’t mean he knew her name. It implies the most intimate kind of love relationship. So, when Jesus says he “knows” his sheep He is saying that our relationship with God is not theological only, it is personal. He loves me. Now isn’t that a wonderful truth? The Lord has millions of sheep but He knows everyone of them of them intimately.
According to John 10:3 He knows His sheep by name. To the government of the United States of America you may just be a number but the God of the Universe knows you by name. He not only know our name, he knows our natures. He knows our trials and temptations. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He knows everything about us –even our darkest thoughts and He loves us anyway – enough to die for you.
There is not a sorrow that you have today that He is not aware of. He knows our needs. Psalm 23 is a poetic description of how the Good shepherd cares for his sheep. As the shepherd cares for the sheep, the sheep get to know the shepherd better. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. They get to know Him better by listen-ing to His voice (the word) and experiencing his daily care.
Not only His Description as The Good Shepherd but…
Third, His Demonstration as the Good Shepherd. (10: 15-18)
• The Good Shepherd Will Lay Down His Life For The Flock. (v. 15)
“As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
While Jesus was in control of His crucifixion, it does not say men did not kill Him. Clearly men were responsible (and were allowed to kill Him) "the main point Jesus is making is that His death was not a tragic accident where He was a helpless victim. Peter tried to protect Him with his sword in the Garden of Gethsemane. But Jesus’ death was voluntary. He told Peter “put away your sword, do you think I cannot ask My Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than 12 legions of angels?” (Matt 26:52-53, Jn. 18:11) And He told Pilate “you would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above.” (Jn. 19:11) This heart of voluntary surrender was prophesied by Isaiah, who wrote, “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (Isa. 53:7).
• Jesus Speaks Of Other Sheep. (v. 16)
“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
This was not just an offer made to the people of ancient Israel or even to just those who heard Him at that time. This is where you and I are included. Jesus was not only calling His sheep out of the sheepfold of Judaism, but from every corner of the Earth.
Note the certainty of this call, He does not merely say that it is His desire to have other sheep or that He hopes for other sheep, He says “I have” other sheep.
• Jesus Claims To Have Power Over Life And Death. (vv. 17-18)
First notice that verse seventeen states “Therefore My Father loves Me, because or (for this reason) this begs the question "for what reason?" By this Jesus did not mean that He earned the Father’s love by his willingness to lay down His life. The Father and Son always loved one another. John later records that Jesus said, “..you have loved me before the foundation of the world”. (17:24)
Another way of looking at this is that Jesus’ willing sacrifice prompted another expression of the Father’s love. Sometimes when people have been married for many years or have been friends for many years, one will do something that wins the approval of the other and will get the response. “I love you for doing that!” The love was there before the act but the act called forth the love in a fresh way. [Leon Morris. Reflections on the Gospel of John. (Hendrickson Pub., Peabody Mass., 2000) p. 381]
Jesus states “…because I lay down My life that I may take it again. (18) No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
“I have power (exousia) to lay it down, and I have authority (exousia) - legal right, power) to take it up again – this word (exousia) speaks of Jesus having both the right and the power to carry out these actions, referring to His death and resurrection (because “to take it up again” refers to His resurrection.)
But some cults like the Jehovah’s Witnesses deny that Jesus could take His own life up again. And some proponents of the Prosperity Gospel (such as Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Fred Price, and others) teach that Jesus suffered as a victim in hell and was saved only by the intervention of God the Father – that Jesus really did not - “have power to take it again” in and of himself. This of course is false!
When Jesus says, “I will raise myself from the dead” He is saying “I AM God!” This statement is absolutely without parallel.
There is no question that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The crucial application is the necessity of making sure that we say as David did in the Psalm 23, “The LORD is my Shepherd.” The answer to that question determines where one can expect to spend eternity. The answer to that question will make all the difference between Heaven and Hell. If you know the Shepherd, then you can rejoice in the fact that He will ever be with you and that He will ever watch over you.
Conclusion
So, what does it mean that Jesus was the Good Shepherd? The shepherd’s life was very hard. “…sheep need a good deal of care; left to themselves they are apt to fare badly. The do not seem well equipped to face life’s hardships and need a shepherd to defend them against life’s dangers. So when Jesus speaks of himself as the Good Shepherd he is saying that he will provide for all the needs of those who are his sheep. Life often finds us at our wits end, but if we belong to Jesus we may confidently look to him to lead us in the way in which we should go. He will see that we get all that we need (though not necessarily all that we want.” [Leon Morris. p. 377]
