§149. Jesus—The True Shepherd(John 10:1–6)

Introduction

  1. Linked to the healing in the last chapter.
  2. Lord contrast his ministry to that of Pharisees.

Exposition

1.  “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

  1. Most assuredly: the message from the Lord is emphatic and the listeners are expected to heed to his words.

  2. Sheepfold: It is place where sheep was kept in separate shed which has a doorkeeper. He alone had the right to enter the sheepfold. He enters to feed and take care of the sheep.

  3. Thief and robber: They are the people entering the sheepfold to rob and destroy the sheep.

2.  But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

  1. Shepherd: The one who enters through the door is the legitimate owner of the sheepfold. He owns the sheep and takes care of the well being of the sheep.

  2. It is obvious that in the context of the previous chapter the shepherd is referring to Jesus and the robbers are the Pharisees.

  3. OT is abundant with Lord's anger toward the shepherds who are exploiting the flock. The prominent among them is:

  4. Ezk. 34:1-31. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, ...‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. ...9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord! 10 Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against the shepherds ...I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep ...I will deliver My flock from their mouths ...‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. ...16 “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.” 17 ‘And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats. ...23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them— My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them ...30 Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people,” says the Lord God.’ ” 31 “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God

  5. In the midst of this, Lord is standing as the good shepherd. For instance:

  6. Ps 23:1. The Lord is my shepherd ...

  7. Ps. 80:1. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!

  8. Isa 40:11. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young

3.  To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

  1. Hear voice: Sheep know the voice and listens.
  2. By name: individual and personal call and inplies prior ownership.

4.  And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

  1. Own: Lord own the sheep
  2. Follow: What is expected of the sheep.
  3. Know his voice: Familiar with shepherd's voice.

5.  Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

  1. For the same reason they will leave any false shepherds.
  2. Christ’s elect sheep inevitably follow him

6.  Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

Application

  1. Listen to the voice of the Shepherd.
  2. Listen not other voices.
  3. Shepherd your flock.

About this document ...

Compiled by tfrdn7@gmail.com on 2026-09-13 19:44 for the glory of the Lord