John 10:14-18
I am the good shepherd. – John 10:14a
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John 10 portrays Jesus as the Good Shepherd, a powerful image familiar to Jewish listeners. Since ancient times, the Jewish people have been a nomadic people, well acquainted with the role of a shepherd. But not every shepherd takes responsibility for looking after the flock. There are hired hands who tend sheep for others, and there are shepherds who tend their own sheep. A hired hand, because the sheep do not belong to him, may abandon the flock when danger arises, leaving the sheep to be devoured and scattered by wolves or other wild beasts (John 10:12–13). Only a true shepherd will strive to protect his flock, because the sheep are his. As such a good shepherd cares for, feeds, and protects his sheep.
The Bible frequently uses the image of a shepherd to describe the relationship between God and His people. In the Old Testament and also in this week’s passages, we see that the Lord God gave the Law to His people on Mount Sinai and clearly explained that obedience to the Law brings blessing, while disobedience brings curses. Yet no matter how earnestly God urged and called His people to walk in His ways, they often stiffened their necks and refused to listen. Time and again, they acted deceitfully and strayed from the God with whom they had made a covenant. Still, God continually sent prophets to reiterate His heart for the people—not a heart of punishment, but of mercy. The moment the people returned to Him, He renewed His covenant with them and once again became their God.
“God so loved the world”—this captures the eternal truth of how he has been dealing with his people. Because of His love for them, God was willing to send His only Son to be the Saviour of the world, the Good Shepherd who would lead His sheep back to the Father. And whoever was willing to follow this great Shepherd would receive new life.
In John 10, Jesus says four times that He came to lay down His life for the sheep: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) “And I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:15) “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life…” (John 10:17) “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” (John 10:18)
Jesus claims not only to be the Good Shepherd, but also declares His willingness to lay down His life for the sheep. Our great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, knows every single sheep personally and deeply. The sheep also know Him (vv. 14–15).
Because Jesus died on the cross and bore the curse for us, we are set free from the curse of the Law. The blessings of the covenant can now also come to the Gentiles—those whom Jesus refers to as “other sheep that are not of this sheep pen” (v. 16). Through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, we Gentiles are welcomed into God’s household and become His people. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, but all are gathered into one sheepfold under one Shepherd, all receiving God’s grace.
How can this shared identity and redemptive grace not cause us to kneel in worship? This love also motivates us to follow in His footsteps.
Reflection:
As we enter the household of God, what is our attitude toward the Lord who gave His life to redeem us?
What is our attitude toward those inside and outside the sheepfold?
Do we truly understand how passionately God loves the world?
Prayer:
Our great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, because of Your sacrificial love, we are now part of Your household. Help me to see, through Your eyes, those who are in need of a home.
Help those already in Your household who still feel they don’t belong. May I co-labor with You to seek and bring back the lost, so that more may enter Your house and find abundant life in You. In your precious name I pray. Amen.
Click to read
John 10 portrays Jesus as the Good Shepherd, a powerful image familiar to Jewish listeners. Since ancient times, the Jewish people have been a nomadic people, well acquainted with the role of a shepherd. But not every shepherd takes responsibility for looking after the flock. There are hired hands who tend sheep for others, and there are shepherds who tend their own sheep. A hired hand, because the sheep do not belong to him, may abandon the flock when danger arises, leaving the sheep to be devoured and scattered by wolves or other wild beasts (John 10:12–13). Only a true shepherd will strive to protect his flock, because the sheep are his. As such a good shepherd cares for, feeds, and protects his sheep.
The Bible frequently uses the image of a shepherd to describe the relationship between God and His people. In the Old Testament and also in this week’s passages, we see that the Lord God gave the Law to His people on Mount Sinai and clearly explained that obedience to the Law brings blessing, while disobedience brings curses. Yet no matter how earnestly God urged and called His people to walk in His ways, they often stiffened their necks and refused to listen. Time and again, they acted deceitfully and strayed from the God with whom they had made a covenant. Still, God continually sent prophets to reiterate His heart for the people—not a heart of punishment, but of mercy. The moment the people returned to Him, He renewed His covenant with them and once again became their God.
“God so loved the world”—this captures the eternal truth of how he has been dealing with his people. Because of His love for them, God was willing to send His only Son to be the Saviour of the world, the Good Shepherd who would lead His sheep back to the Father. And whoever was willing to follow this great Shepherd would receive new life.
In John 10, Jesus says four times that He came to lay down His life for the sheep: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) “And I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:15) “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life…” (John 10:17) “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” (John 10:18)
Jesus claims not only to be the Good Shepherd, but also declares His willingness to lay down His life for the sheep. Our great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, knows every single sheep personally and deeply. The sheep also know Him (vv. 14–15).
Because Jesus died on the cross and bore the curse for us, we are set free from the curse of the Law. The blessings of the covenant can now also come to the Gentiles—those whom Jesus refers to as “other sheep that are not of this sheep pen” (v. 16). Through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, we Gentiles are welcomed into God’s household and become His people. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, but all are gathered into one sheepfold under one Shepherd, all receiving God’s grace.
How can this shared identity and redemptive grace not cause us to kneel in worship? This love also motivates us to follow in His footsteps.
Reflection:
As we enter the household of God, what is our attitude toward the Lord who gave His life to redeem us?
What is our attitude toward those inside and outside the sheepfold?
Do we truly understand how passionately God loves the world?
Prayer:
Our great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, because of Your sacrificial love, we are now part of Your household. Help me to see, through Your eyes, those who are in need of a home.
Help those already in Your household who still feel they don’t belong. May I co-labor with You to seek and bring back the lost, so that more may enter Your house and find abundant life in You. In your precious name I pray. Amen.