Lessons from John 10: I Am the Good Shepherd

Jesus Declares, “I Am the Good Shepherd.” ~ John 10:11-21

In verse 11 we find the fourth of Jesus’ “I am” statements in John’s gospel. Here, Jesus declared that He is the Good Shepherd.

This statement was in direct contrast to the false shepherds (the Jewish religious leaders) who Jesus had already accused of being a brood of thieves and robbers. Jesus described the attitudes, actions, and attributes of a good shepherd. He told the Pharisees that if they really cared for the sheep, the Jewish people, they would lay down their own desires and needs that others might be safe and secure.

But instead, the religious leaders were more concerned for their own well being and good than that of those God had given them. They were so stuck on their own man-made theology that they were spiritually blind to the physical proofs of Jesus, His works, and the needs of His people. They were afraid if Jesus was who He said He was they would lose their glory, their prestige, and power.

These religious leaders were more focused on being served by God and His people than serving. And so they missed the truth of who Jesus was, the Promised Messiah, the Savior who was Christ their Lord.

Jesus described them in verse 12 as hired hands. Which meant that they tended the sheep not because they really cared for their well being, but rather because of the benefits they received.

In fact, Jesus exposed their minds and attitudes. He revealed that instead of guarding and laying down their lives for the sheep, when an intruder came in, these men would take off running in fear for their own lives. They would leave the flock open and vulnerable to those who wished to devour them. In which case, some of the flock would be scattered, while others would be devoured and lose their lives.

Today, I think we would describe wolves or predators that come after sheep as those who dress in sheep’s clothing but come after our children, enticing them or forcing them into drugs or alcohol or sex-trafficking.

Or what about those who peruse our schools or universities with the intent of sexual violating our children or grandchildren?

What about the predators in our schools from elementary through college who desire to steal the minds of our children and grandchildren by teaching them false doctrine and impressing modern ideology upon them?

How about all kinds of leaders, governmental leaders and other kinds of leaders, who are predators? They come to take rather than to give. They are corrupt.

But in contrast, we are told five times in this passage that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, came not to save His own life, but to willingly lay it down. Those who place their faith in Him can be saved.

Jesus returned to the point that as the Good Shepherd, He knows everything about His sheep. And His sheep know Him!

Jesus came not to bring religion but rather to have an up close and personal relationship with His people.

You see, religion is what man created to try and make their way to God. But there is nothing, not one single thing, we can do to earn or make our way into God’s holy heaven. Nothing!

And because the chasm was so deep and so wide because of our sin, Jesus came down from heaven in the form of a man. He dwelt among us that we might know and experience His goodness and desire to have a personal relationship with Him.

Jesus doesn’t need us, He wants us!

He desires to be with us and desires that we would want to be with Him. That’s why He laid down heaven’s throne and came to earth and dwelt among us. And then He willingly gave up His life on the cross for the remission of our sins. That’s the restoring and redemptive work of our Good and Faithful Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus said in verse 16 that He had other sheep that were not of this sheep pen. Meaning that salvation was not only for the Jews alone. Jesus’ redeeming work on the cross is for all people. People of different cultures and ethnic backgrounds, people of different economic and social status, people both young and old and everything in between.

And just as He and the Father are one, He would be one with His people. Therefore because Jesus is equal with the Father, He would willingly lay down His life—only to pick it up again. And He did it not only because His Father required it of Him. Jesus delighted in doing the work of the Father for His Father’s, His own, and our good pleasure.

Now verses 19-20 tell us that, “The Jews who heard these words were again divided. Many of them said, ‘He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?’” But others, in verse 21, said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life to provide eternal life for His people.

My question to you is, who do you say Jesus is? A lunatic, or who He says He is? And have you received the new life that He provides through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension?

How are the qualities of the Good Shepherd displayed through you and your life? What will you do differently as a result of this lesson?

Terri Hamman

Faith & Fitness Coach