Recognizing the Good Shepherd
John 10:
1 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, the person who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Recognizing the Good Shepherd
3 The one who guards the door opens it for him. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he brings all his sheep out, he goes ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.
Recognizing the Good Shepherd
5 But they will never follow a stranger. They will run away from him because they don’t know his voice.” 6 Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant.
7 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the door for the sheep. 8 All the people who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door, and the person who enters through me will be saved and will be able to come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life—life in all its fullness.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. 12 The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd who owns them. When the worker sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13 The man runs away because he is only a paid worker and does not really care about the sheep.
14-15 “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me, as I know the Father. I give my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not in this flock, and I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The Father loves me because I give my life so that I can take it back again. 18 No one takes it away from me; I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father commanded me to do.”
19 Again the Jews did not agree with each other because of these words of Jesus. 20 Many of them said, “A demon has come into him and made him crazy. Why listen to him?”
21 But others said, “A man who is crazy with a demon does not say things like this. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Jesus points out that the good shepherd is known by three distinctives
If there is a good shepherd then there must be a bad shepherd
The teaching given here (vv. 1–21) took place right after the casting out of the man in 9:34. We see much the sheep and the good shepherd. We also see much here about the hireling, the thief, and the robber – the bad shepherd. So who is the bad shepherd?
This text is clearly a continuation of John 9 where we see Jesus making the blind man see and pointing out that the seeing Pharisees were blind – which they were more than a little upset about.
In Ezekiel 34 there is a grim description of bad shepherds and how they used and abused the sheep that belong to God. In the same passage there is also a promise – the promise that God will take care of His sheep by raising up the good shepherd.
Ezekiel 34:11-12: “ ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: I, myself, will search for my sheep and take care of them. As a shepherd takes care of his scattered flock when it is found, I will take care of my sheep.
Jesus points out that the good shepherd is known by three distinctives
False shepherds and strangers, who are thieves and robbers, try to get into the fold some subtle way, but the sheep will not recognize or follow them.
The Good Shepherd IS the door
The Good Shepherd KNOWS his sheep and is known by his sheep
The Good Shepherd LEADS the sheep to the green pastures and still waters
The Good Shepherd IS the door
John 9:7
7 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the door for the sheep.
The Sheepfold
The Middle Eastern sheepfold was very simple: a stone wall, some as high as ten feet high, surrounded it, and an opening served as the door. Since the building of such a corral was not easy not inexpensive an entire village would build a sheepfold for all the inhabitants to use together.
When the sheep were near the community the all the shepherds would drive their sheep – together – into the fold at nightfall and either the shepherd or the watchman would stand guard.
The watchman (or one of the shepherds) would sleep at the opening of the fold and actually become “the door.” Nothing could enter or leave the fold without passing over the shepherd. Only a thief or a robber would come “over the wall.”
This is clearly much more than merely a job. It is a calling – it is a life of service and sacrifice.
both the right of ownership and the moral authority of personal sacrifice.
Certainly, It can be approached as a job. Many shepherds do. And when things get tough they get gone.
Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ and the Global Pastors Network, printed these statistics gleaned from various sources from across denominational lines, such as Pastor to Pastor, Focus on the Family, Ministries Today, Charisma Magazine, and TNT Ministries.
· 1500 pastors leave the ministry every month
· 50% of pastors are so discouraged that they are considering leaving the ministry
· 80% of pastors and 84% of their spouses feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors
· 70% of pastors constantly fight depression
· 80% of seminary and Bible students who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years
· 80% of pastors’ spouses feel their spouse is overworked
· 80% of adult children of pastors surveyed have had to seek professional help for depression
· 85% of pastors said their greatest problem is they are sick and tired of dealing with problem people, such as disgruntled elders, deacons, worship leaders, worship teams, board members, and associate pastors
· 50% of pastors’ marriages will end in divorce
· 80% of pastors’ wives feel left out and unappreciated by the church members
Who in their right mind wants to be a shepherd – Either of sheep or of people?
When I was a senior in Escanaba HS the last day of school in English Lit class we had some free time. We went around the room and everyone shared their plans. When it was my turn I said that I was going to Great Lakes Bible College (as it was called then) to prepare for the ministry. I’ll never forget the comment of the girl sitting in the chair behind me. She said, “Why would you ever do that?” I had a hard time explaining my reasons.
A good shepherd even if he doesn’t “own” the sheep cares for them as if he does. Believe me when I say that this is one of the reasons it is so tough to be a pastor. When a person leaves the body it tears at you. When a new Christian stops attending and fades back into the old life you grieve deeply. When there is fighting among the people it wearies the soul.
So the good shepherd keeps on keeping on. It is not a job. It is his life!!! It is what he lives for. It is what he breathes everyday all day long. It is what he thinks about while he is at rest. It’s where he lives and what he does.
Jesus is the ultimate example – he is the door.
Jesus is the only Gate by which people can enter into God’s provision for them.
Clearly the distinctive of a good shepherd is that he IS the door. He does not merely shut the gate or close the door. He IS the door. It is not a profession – it is a sacred trust. His activity is not his work – it is his life.
The Good Shepherd KNOWS his sheep and is known by his sheep
John 10
3 … the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
The shepherd know his sheep personally. In the morning each shepherd would call his own sheep, they would recognize their shepherd’s voice and come out of the fold. Now how did this happen. It was because there was a bond between the shepherd and the sheep.
This is not positional leadership. It is functional leadership.
When they were new and the flock was traveling to new pastures the shepherd would often carry the lamb on his shoulders.
While the sheep wandered across the fields the shepherd would watch and protect the flocks from hungry animals.
When night came and they were too far to travel back to the fold the shepherd would build a fire and sing to calm the sheep. In the evening is when the lion, wolf, jackal, panther, leopard, bear, and hyena came out to feed. The shepherd would watch and protect – even to the point of his own life.
The sheep came to recognize him. They knew his voice. They heard him sing. They watched him watch over them. Not the Hired Hand – he runs when the bear comes!
Throughout the Bible, God’s people are compared to sheep; and the comparison is a good one. Sheep are clean animals, unlike pigs and dogs (2 Peter 2:20–22). They are defenseless and need the care of the shepherd (Ps. 23). They are, to use Wesley’s phrase, “prone to wander,” and must often be searched for and brought back to the fold (Luke 15:3–7). Sheep are peaceful animals, useful to the shepherd. In these, and other ways, they picture those who have trusted Jesus Christ and are a part of God’s flock.
He knows his sheep generally
Shepherds know a lot about sheep. They should they are constantly with them. They are helping, crying, hoping, caring, listening, teaching, and trying to make a difference in their life. A good shepherd knows the nature of his sheep. While all sheep are alike in their essential nature, each sheep has its own distinctive characteristics; and the loving shepherd recognizes these traits. One sheep may be afraid of high places, another of dark shadows. A faithful shepherd will consider these special needs as he tends the flock.
Have you ever noticed how different the 12 Apostles were from one another? Peter was impulsive and outspoken, while Thomas was hesitant and doubting. Andrew was a “people person” who was always bringing somebody to Jesus, while Judas wanted to “use” people in order to get their money for himself. Jesus knew each of the men personally, and He knew exactly how to deal with them.
Because He knows our natures, He also knows our needs. Often, we do not even know our own needs! Psalm 23 is a beautiful poetic description of how the Good Shepherd cares for His sheep. In the pastures, by the waters, and even through the valleys, the sheep need not fear, because the shepherd is caring for them and meeting their needs. If you connect Psalm 23:1 and 6, you get the main theme of the poem: “I shall not want... all the days of my life.”
As the shepherd cares for the sheep, the sheep get to know their shepherd better. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. They get to know Him better by listening to His voice (the Word) and experiencing His daily care. As the sheep follow the Shepherd, they learn to love and to trust Him. He loves “His own” (John 13:1) and He shows that love in the way He cares for them.
The Good Shepherd LEADS the sheep to the green pastures and still waters
Ezekiel 34:17-19
17 “ ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: As for you, my flock, I will judge between one sheep and another, between the male sheep and the male goats. 18 Is it not enough for you to eat grass in the good land? Must you crush the rest of the grass with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you make the rest of the water muddy with your feet? 19 Must my flock eat what you crush, and must they drink what you make muddy with your feet?
John 10
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he brings all his sheep out, he goes ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.
Sheep need a shepherd
Jesus goal for his sheep is peace and contentment but there is more here than merely grass and water. It is a matter of taking care of the flock
Some sheep are unruly. Some sheep are mean. There are rams, goats, all mixed in with the sheep who tend to be more passive and more easily shoved aside.
Sheep need shepherds to take care of them. Sheep are a wonderful image when it comes to people. It is not demeaning – it is reality.
They get scabies from the attack of insects and need the balm of ointments. They get heavy from the wool they carry and will lie down only to be so top heavy they can’t get back up. The shepherd has to help the sheep back to his feet. They get so involved in their grazing they get separated from the flock and are lost. The shepherd goes and looks for them and brings them back.
In short – Sheep need a shepherd.
The reason that there were cattlemen and sheep herder wars in the west was that Sheep, left on their own will destroy pasture land. They have sharp hooves that dig up the grass and they will eat down to the roots. If left too long in a pasture of grass it will soon become an empty field of dirt. The good shepherd moves them along to new grass – even when they don’t want to leave where they are.
Sheep are fearful. They simply will not drink from a rapidly flowing river because Sheep are afraid of running water. So the good shepherd always knows where to bring his sheep for still water.
The good shepherd takes care of the sheep. He guides, disciplines, teaches, and he makes sure that the sheep have all they need. He brings a quiet confidence does so through his complete devotion to the flock.
He does not drive the sheep he leads them. The sheep follow because they know that he will bring them to green pastures and still waters.
Jesus is THE good shepherd. Those who serve as shepherds strive to be like him as we care for you. We are not as good at it as Jesus was but he is our example. Would you pray for me? Will you pray for Paul Kissling? Will you pray for Mike Freeman and Ray Fleming? Will you pray that others will grow hear the calling of God to give their lives to care for the flock?
Now as we close let me read Psalms 23 in the New Century Version
We are the sheep of His pasture
Psalms 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
2 He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water.
3 He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of his name.
4 Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because you are with me. Your rod and your walking stick comfort me.
5 You prepare a meal for men in front of my enemies. You pour oil on my head; you fill my cup to overflowing.
6 Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.
