[:en]SCRIPTURE: JOHN 10
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved” (John 10:9)
“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11)
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)
“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30)
TRUE SHEPHERD AND HIS FLOCK (vs. 1-21)
True shepherd comes through the gate (v. 1) calls his sheep by name and leads them out (v. 3). The sheep knows his voice and follows him (v. 4). But they will never follow a false stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they don’t recognize his voice (v. 5).
Jesus said: “I am the Gate for the sheep. Whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (v. 9-10). “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (v. 14). A stranger is a thief or robber who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate (v. 1). He is a hireling who runs away when dangers come.
THE UNBELIEF OF THE JEWS (vs. 22-42)
Despite of the miracles that Jesus had performed, the Jews refused to believe that His is God’s Son. They never were his sheep because they did not believe in Him.
Jesus pointed our His relationship with the Father:
- What my Father gave me, no one can snatch them out of my hand (v. 28)
- I and the Father are one (v. 30)
- I am God’s Son (v. 36)
- I do what my Father does (v. 37)
- My Father is in me and I in the Father (v. 38)
SUMMARY:
Jesus is the Gate for the sheep. Whoever enters through Him will be saved. Jesus was leading the nation of Israel as John opened the door for Him. As the “Gate”, He gives His Word to pasture us and give us abundant life. As a Good Shepherd, Jesus lays down His life for the sheep. He gives us daily guide with His Word (v. 4), spiritual nourishment (v. 9) and protection (v. 30). Are you willing to trust the Good Shepherd?
Sheep are illustrations of true Christians. Sheep are clean and they flock together. They are harmless, useful, productive and they were used for sacrifices. Likewise, a true Christian must be blameless and harmless. He must be harmonious, useful and productive in his life and willing to yield to Christ as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1).[:]