Jn 10:11-16

I am the Good Shepherd

IntroductionThe use of shepherd and sheep in OT

God as shepherd for His peoplePs 28:9, 77:20 & 78:52; Is 40:11; Jer 32:10

People of Israel regularly referred to as sheepPs 74:1, 79:13, 95:7 & 100:3; Ez 34:11-

16We know from last week Jesus is using a

shepherd/sheep analogy with the PhariseesLast week we looked at Jesus as the door for the

sheepThis week we will look at the transition of teaching

from being the door to being the shepherd

I am the Good Shepherd Jn 10:11As the “Good Shepherd” He reveals His

characterOT men knew Him as “The Good Shepherd”

Ps 23; Ez 34:11-16The Lord is good

Nah 1:7; Ps 34:8; Jer 33:10-11Only one is good

Mt 19:16-17

The Shepherd cares for His Sheep by warning them of dangers to the flockThe danger of the thief/robber stranger

Jn 10:1, 5, 8 & 10This one steals from the flock for his own benefit

Jesus described the Pharisees in this manner on a separate occasionMt 23:15Their concern was self image rather than concern

for their disciplesMt 23:1-12

The Shepherd cares for His Sheep by warning them of dangers to the flock

There are thieves and robbers who encroach on God’s people todayPaul warns Timothy of this in both his letters

1 Tim 6:3-5; 2 Tim 3:1-5We can recognize these people by their fruits

Mt 7:15-20The danger of the hireling vs 12-13

He tends to the flock strictly for his own benefitHe is content to feed but if danger comes, he

runsHe is the watchman in Ez 33:1-6 who fails to

warn the coming of the enemyHe is the shepherd spoken of in Ez 34:1-6

The Shepherd cares for His Sheep by warning them of dangers to the flockThe danger of the wolf destroying the flock

He is the agent of SatanHe has no concern for the flock at allConsider the following passages

Mt 7:15; 2 Cor 11:12-15; Acts 20:28-29

The Shepherd shows His Care & Concern for the sheep by laying down His life to spare them

He substituted His life for theirsJn 10:11, 15; Rom 5:6-8; 1 Pet 3:18;

1 Jn 3:16

I know My sheep and am known by My own (Vs 14)Many define the basic element of the

shepherd/sheep relationship as intimateThayer defines “know” in the following manner

To learn to know, come to knowTo have knowledge ofJewish phrase for intimacy between a man and womanTo become acquainted with, to know

Intimacy is more than just knowledgeReal intimacy, in any personal relationship is

always mutualIntimate knowledge is not the same as detailed

knowledge

I know My sheep & am known by My own (Vs 14)

We are to “Know” the shepherdPray to know Him better

Eph 1:15-17Use His word and understanding

1 Jn 5:20He is not far

Call on Him for He is nearPs 75:1 & 145:18

Seek Him, He is not far and may be foundActs 17:26-27; Is 55:6

Find Him before your heart is hardenedMt 13:15-16

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold (Vs 16)Not of this fold-not Jews

This is a distinct intimation that the gospel was to be preached to the Gentiles a doctrine extremely offensive to the Jews.

This prediction of the Saviour has been strikingly confirmed in the conversion of millions of the Gentiles to the gospel. (Barnes Notes on the Bible)

Them also I must bring Bring into the church and kingdom of heaven. This was to be done, not by his personal ministry,

but by the labor of his apostles and other ministers. (Barnes Notes on the Bible)

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold (Vs 16)One fold - One church

there shall be no distinction, no special national privileges.

The partition between the Jews and the Gentiles shall be broken down, and there shall be no pre-eminence of rank or honor, (Barnes Notes on the Bible)Eph 2:11-14; Rom 10:12

One shepherd – That is, the Lord Jesus the common Saviour, deliverer, and friend of all true

believers, in whatever land they were born and whatever tongue they may speak. (Barnes Notes on the Bible)

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold (Vs 16)

The distinguishing mark of the Christian Church throughout all the world, is that it has only one head, that is Christ, the only keeper, and only shepherd of it. (Geneva Study Bible)

And over this fold, or flock, there is but one shepherd, Jesus Christ; who is the rightful proprietor, and whose own the sheep are; and who knows how to feed them, and does take care of them; though there are many under shepherds, whom he employs in feeding them; in the original text the copulative "and" is wanting, and the words stand thus, "one fold, one shepherd"; which not only expresses a peculiar elegance, but answers the proverb delivered in the same form; and to which agree the Arabic and Ethiopic versions, which render them, "and there", or "they shall be one fold of one shepherd"; or one flock which belongs to one shepherd only; (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)

ConclusionJesus is the great shepherd of our souls

1 Pet 2:25 & 5:4; Heb 13:20As a shepherd Jesus does 3 very important

things for usLeads us

Ps 23; Mt 6:13Feeds us

Ps 23; Mt 4:4 & 5:6Protects us

Ps 23; Mt 6:25-34; Rom 13:5-6