Scripture: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
John 10:1-21 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Friday’s Daily Focus, losing patience, the religious leaders intensify their interrogation of the man born blind (who now sees) to obtain incriminating evidence against Jesus. Unintimidated, the man declares: “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see” (v.25). After an exchange of insults, the man concludes with two key points to support that Jesus must have come from God:
- God does not listen to (unrepentant) sinners but will listen to all who worship him and do his will.
- Historically, this is the first time anyone has healed a man born blind.
A little while later, when Jesus hears all that transpired, he approaches the man and asks if he believes in the Son of Man. Unhesitantly, the man asks Jesus to reveal this person to him so that he might worship him. Jesus affirms he is the Son of Man. So the man confesses his faith and worships Jesus. Accordingly, Jesus explains that his mission is to establish justice so that those seeking the truth will find it (see) while those who think they know it all will become spiritually blind.
For today’s reading, the timing of the above story is unclear as to whether it is a continuation of Jesus’ discourses during the Feast of Tabernacles (which verse 21 would support) or that of the Feast of Dedication (v.22). Regardless, the above teaching likely occurred in Jerusalem. And while Matthew and Luke record Jesus telling parables of a shepherd (the Father) and his sheep, here, John chronicles Jesus’ assuring words that he (the Son) is both the door (who protects his sheep) and the good shepherd (who lays down his life for his sheep), marking the third and fourth of the seven “I am” statements.
First, however, Jesus warns his audience about those who will stealthily enter the sheepfold (body of Christ), intending to steal, scatter, abandon, or destroy those seeking to follow him. But those who develop a saving relationship with Jesus will distinguish his voice from those who speak on their own accord. Moreover, Jesus’ flock will find abundant life in him (v.10).
Jesus adds that he has other sheep to gather who are not of the Jewish fold. They, too, will listen to his voice and unite as one flock. Thus, the Father loves his obedient Son, the Good Shepherd, who will willfully lay down his life and raise it again according to his pre-incarnate charge. Expectedly, this bold statement stirs division among the Jews, some who insist Jesus is insane and others who reason that a demon-possessed man could not open the eyes of the blind (perhaps referring to the earlier incident from Chapter 9).
Takeaway: Theologian Gary Burge provides helpful background information regarding the sheep pens in the Judean desert: “In the desert at night sheep were often herded into walled enclosures that either backed up against a cliff face or were at the end of a canyon. Such enclosures (still used today by Palestinian shepherds in the Judean desert) had waist-high stone walls topped with thorny branches. Such a pen was entirely for safety so that the sheep would not become prey to wild animals. One small doorway (or opening) in the wall served as the only entrance and exit. The shepherd would either close this area with dry thornbushes or would himself serve as sentry in the opening” (NIV Application Commentary, John, p.289).
Our takeaway? Jesus employs a familiar and impactful metaphor of this agrarian society to assure his followers of his attentive care (as their shepherd) and security (as their door). Additionally, the motif of a good shepherd would hearken his audience to Moses’ writings of God as Israel’s Shepherd Stone (Genesis 49:24), to David’s poetic song of his Shepherd God who meets all his needs (Psalm 23), and to Isaiah’s prophecy of Israel’s mighty, strong-arm God who tenderly cares for his flock (Isaiah 40:10-11). Also, together, both “I am” statements point his followers to his sixth “I am” declaration: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (14:6 ESV). Indeed, the gate is guarded by the only One who is our only means of salvation and eternal life.
Our part? When we feel anxious or fearful about our present circumstances or the future, we must pull away from the white noise and reflect on what it means to have Jesus as our means of provision and protection. It does not mean he will rescue us from hardship, but he will lead us through our trials. Thus, we must draw near him through prayer, the reading of Scripture, and the fellowship of believers to recognize his voice over all the senseless chatter of our world and find rest for our weary souls (Matthew 11:28). That’s all the provision and protection we need to follow him onward and upward.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, our Door and Good Shepherd, who laid down his life and raised it so we might find forgiveness and eternal life with you. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who attunes our ears to your Son’s voice. Still, we confess that we are prone to distraction from competing elements. So, please help us to cooperate with your Holy Spirit to listen and follow your Son’s voice of truth and find rest for our weary souls. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling