The Good Shephard Knows His Sheep

John 10:14–21
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Relationships help to keep us alive. Single men have more illnesses and die at a younger age than married men. Married men with cancer live 20% longer than single men with the same cancer. Women, who often have more close friendships than men, survive longer with the same cancers … More

Relationships

Some of the greatest people named in the Bible were shepherds by occupation. Abel, the patriarchs, Moses, and David to name a few. Besides being the only door into the sheepfold, Christ is also the good shepherd (v. 11). He is good because He giveth his life for the benefit of the sheep (Ps 23). He is contrasting Himself to the false shepherds who were in charge of the Jewish religion of that day. The scribes were merely hirelings (hired people) who had no true love and concern for the welfare of the sheep (vv. 12-13). In the moment of danger the hireling runs away. The Pharisees are strangers, but Christ knows His sheep (vv. 14-16). The Pharisees have no love for the sheep, but Christ gives His life for them. Christ has a relationship to the sheep similar to His relationship with His Father. Christ now states that His fold will include both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 10:28). In this passage Jesus explains four special ministries that He performs as a Good Shepherd:

He dies for the sheep (vv. 11-13). Under the old dispensation, the sheep died for the shepherd; but now the Good Shepherd dies for the sheep.
He knows His sheep (vv. 14-15). He knows his sheep personally and therefore knows best how to minister to them.
He brings other sheep into the flock (v.16). This refers to the Gentiles as well as the Jews.
He takes up His life again (vv. 17-18). His voluntary death was followed by His resurrection.

Since Christ is “the Door,” we would expect a division. The Jews were divided according to their opinion (vv. 19-21). Some thought Jesus was mad and demon-possessed, while others were impressed by His miracle on behalf of the blind man.

Application

Just think about the fact that Jesus knows everything about me! Is there anything that I wish He didn’t know? Am I ready to respond to His voice in every area of my life?

John 10:14-21 (English Standard Version)

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