Jesus is the Good Shepherd- John 10: 1-42

Jesus said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.”

Today’s reading picks up right after the healing of the blind man, yesterday. He uses a sheep and shepherd metaphor. The concept of a shepherd in the Old Testament was a royal caretaker of God’s people. God is called the Shepherd of Israel in several places, including Psalms, Isaiah and Ezekiel. God gave great responsibility to the shepherds or leaders of Israel.

Jesus says the sheep will follow him be cause they know his voice. The shepherds at the time did not drive the sheep from behind; they walked ahead and the sheep followed them.

The people are thoroughly confused, so Jesus explains his message. He tells them that he is the gate and those who came before him were robbers and thieves. He is not talking about Old Testament prophets here. He’s talking about the Pharisees and the chief priests. He says that he is the gate and those who enter through him will be saved.

He says he is the good shepherd and he will lay down his life for his sheep. Shepherds at the time would risk injury for their sheep, but they weren’t willing to die for them. Jesus says here that he is willing. This is all a foreshadowing of the cross. The disciples couldn’t have known it then, but I wonder if they revisited the conversation after the crucifixion.

Then he says he has other sheep that are not of this pen. He’s talking about people who aren’t Jewish. He says they too, will listen to his voice. This is a glimpse of the Gentile conversion that will happen later.

He says he can lay down his life and take it up again. No one can take it from him if he’s not willing. He has the authority given to him by God  to do this.

The Jews were again divided. Some said he was demon-possessed, but then others said he couldn’t heal the blind if he was possessed. Then the Jews ask him to tell them plainly if he is the Christ or not.

Jesus says he has told them, but they do not believe. His miracles performed in his Father’s name, speak for him. He tells them they don’t listen to him because they are not his sheep. He will give his sheep who follow him, eternal life and no one will be able to take them from him. Then he says the words the Jews can’t stand to hear: “I and the Father are one.”

They pick up stones at this point. They accuse him of blasphemy. They try to seize him, but again he slips away. Jesus could not be killed before the appointed time.

This time he goes to the place where John the Baptist was baptizing people in the early days. It would have been in the woods, far away from the temple and the Pharisees. He stays out there for some time. While he was there, many people came to him and many believed. The farther he was away from the “religious” people, the easier it was for common people to understand and accept his message.

What do you think about today’s reading? I’d love to hear from you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂