Jesus, the Good Shepherd

John 10:1-5, 11-16, 27-30

GOLDEN TEXT: “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”—John 10:11

TODAY’S lesson is presented to us in pictorial language. Jesus is the “Good Shepherd,” and His people, lovingly cared for by Him, are His sheep. Just as in the caring for literal sheep, the shepherd encounters wolves, robbers, false shepherds, etc., and has to protect the sheep against these, so Jesus assures us that He will protect His own “sheep” from all enemies, and that nothing will be permitted to pluck them out of His Father’s hand.

A truly “good” shepherd, Jesus explains, is one who will gladly give his life for his sheep. In this we have a very practical illustration of the difference between good shepherds and false shepherds. False shepherds are not specially interested in doing anything for the sheep, but ever watchful of how they may exploit the sheep for their own gain. This is a lesson that all under shepherds, who would serve the flock as representatives of Jesus, should take well to heart. The principle involved will also help the sheep to determine who are true shepherds, and who are not. Shepherds who have the Master’s spirit, will be more interested in what they can do for the flock, than what the flock can do for them.

The doctrinal viewpoint of today’s lesson is also important. With Jesus it was not merely a willingness to lay down His life for the sheep—He actually did die for them. It is the shepherd’s work to find food and water for the sheep in order that their life might be sustained. Jesus came to earth to provide an opportunity of everlasting life for all those who would follow Him. In order to make such a provision it was necessary that He die—that He give His flesh for the life of the world.—John 6:51

Jesus sacrificed His humanity as a substitute for the forfeited life of Father Adam and for all mankind who lost life through Adam. When the merit of this sacrifice is presented to the Father, as pictured by the sprinkling of the blood on the typical mercy seat of the tabernacle, it effects a release from death-condemnation for all who in faith accept it and undertake to obey the divine law. Thus, through the death of Jesus, the Good Shepherd of our lesson, eternal life is provided for the sheep.

Another doctrinal point is brought to light in the 16th verse of the lesson, where Jesus is quoted as saying, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd.” Some have inferred that the “other sheep” here mentioned are the Gentiles who would later be given the opportunity of becoming Christians, but this is not in keeping with all the facts of the divine plan.

It is true that Israelites under the Law were the sheep to which Jesus came at His first advent. But the Law arrangement was for the purpose of making them eligible for joint-heirship with the Messiah when that opportunity was offered to them. So it was that Jesus came to His own, “but His own received Him not. But to as many as did receive Him, to them gave He power to become sons of God.”—John 1:11,12

When the nation of Israel as a whole rejected Jesus it did not result in a new sheepfold being instituted. It simply meant that the Israelites had failed to qualify as “sheep” for the high calling under the leadership of Jesus, so they were rejected and Gentiles were invited in to take their places, in order that the full quota of this special flock might be made up. Under a different illustration, Paul refers to these as wild branches that are grafted into the tame olive tree. God did not make a new tree for Gentiles who become followers of Christ in this Gospel age, nor does He create a new sheepfold for them.

The “other sheep”, therefore, must be a reference to the Millennial age sheep, who will be brought into at-one-ment with the Father and receive everlasting life during the times of restitution of all things. In Ephesians 1:10, the apostle tells us that in the dispensation of the “fullness of times” God will gather together in one, all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are in earth. This seems to be a reference to the gathering of the spiritual and earthly sheep all under the leadership of Christ, the Good Shepherd, fulfilling the Master’s promise of the time when the “other sheep”—the earthly—would also be brought, that there might be one fold and one Shepherd. This is beautifully illustrated on the chart which appears in “The Divine Plan of the Ages.”

That there will be sheep gathered to Christ during the next age is shown in the parable of the sheep and goats. (Matt. 25:31-46) All of those who then come into harmony with the laws of the Kingdom are represented as sheep, and are undoubtedly the “other sheep” mentioned by the Master. Jesus gave His life for these also, and because He did, He became the propitiation, or satisfaction, not only for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world. He is truly a “Good Shepherd,” one who loves all His sheep, and has made abundant provision whereby they may live forever.

Jesus’ love for His sheep is the same as that of His father. It was God’s love that caused Him to give His Son to be the Good Shepherd. In the closing verse of the lesson Jesus emphasizes the fact that He and the Father are wholly at one in their love for the sheep and in the divine plan whereby, at the cost of His own life, they will all be given life. The sheep of this age will receive immortality, while those of the next age will receive everlasting life upon the earth.

QUESTIONS:

What is the difference between a good shepherd and a false shepherd?

Who are the “other sheep” to which Jesus refers?

In what sense are Jesus and the Father “one”?

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