The Good Shepherd

JOHN 10:1-18

GOLDEN TEXT: “I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”—John 10:11

JESUS’ statement, “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold,” indicates that the people of Israel, to whom he was speaking, were, mainly, the “sheep” to whom he had come at that time to be a “Good Shepherd.” Jehovah was the Chief Shepherd over this people, and he considered the Israelites the sheep of his pasture. The prophets whom Jehovah sent to the nation from time to time were under-shepherds who cared for the interests of the flock.

On occasions false shepherds or pastors plagued the flock, and whenever this occurred Israel was scattered. (Jer. 23:1,2) A true shepherd of the Lord never scatters his people. (Jer. 23:4) They are always gatherers. In the parable of our lesson Jesus is the “Good Shepherd,” and had the “sheep” of his day recognized his voice and followed him they would have been gathered and richly blessed. Concerning this, although using a different simile, Jesus said to this people, “How often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” (Luke 13:34,35) The people preferred to follow the false shepherds of their day, with the result that ultimately they were scattered and the nation destroyed.

False shepherds, designated in the parable as thieves, steal and kill and destroy, the Master said. In other words, their real interest is not in the sheep, but in themselves, so, instead of caring for the sheep, they exploit them. This is perhaps one of the best methods we have today of discerning between true and false shepherds. If we see a would-be shepherd mingling with the Lord’s people and note that his influence is to draw some of the sheep away from the flock to be followers of him, we may be reasonably sure he is a false shepherd, for he is scattering the sheep. If, in addition to this, we discover that he is making merchandise of the sheep, using them in some way to make a living for himself, we can be doubly sure that he is not a true shepherd of God. The Apostle Paul was a true shepherd and he refused to accept even that which was properly his, because his only concern in his care of the sheep was their own best interests.

A true shepherd is glad to make any sacrifice necessary in order that the sheep might be properly provided for and protected. Jesus, the “Good Shepherd” of the parable, gave his life for the sheep, and we are admonished by him to do the same—to lay down our lives for the brethren. A true shepherd has a genuine love for his sheep, and is solicitous for their every need. He not only sees that food and water is available for them, but he stands guard to protect his sheep from those who would come among them to steal and kill.

Sheep know the voice of their shepherd, and, as Jesus explained, “A stranger will they not follow.” In the case of the Lord’s people, his “sheep,” it is a tragedy when they fail to recognize their Shepherd’s voice.

The voice of a true shepherd of God is the voice of truth—in reality the voice of the Chief Shepherd, Jehovah, as it reaches us through his Word. It was thus in the case of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. “The words that I speak,” he said, “I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” (John 14:10) So it should be in the case of all under-shepherds. Their voice, their words, should be only those messages of truth pertaining to the divine plan which have been transmitted to them through the Scriptures. And the Lord’s sheep should learn to know this “voice” of truth. If they do, they will be able to discern any discordant note they hear, and know that to follow its leading would take them away from the flock and from the green pastures which the Lord has provided. And how rich and blessed the experiences of those who know the voice of the Good Shepherd and follow its leading. It matters little who the Lord may use to transmit that voice or message to us. The important thing is to discern the voice of truth and follow it faithfully.

“Other sheep have I which are not of this fold,” the Master said. This is a reference to the restitution class of the millennial age, for there is only one flock during the Gospel age, namely, the “little flock” to whom it is the Father’s good pleasure to give the kingdom. (Luke 12:32) Not many of the natural seed of Abraham qualified for a place in this flock, so the invitation was extended to the Gentiles. Gentiles who accept, upon the basis of belief in the Redeemer and full consecration, are made fellow-heirs with the remnant of Israel who qualified, hence they are not the “other sheep” referred to by Jesus.

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats identifies the “other sheep,” their gathering, and the inheritance into which they enter—the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. (Matt. 25:34) When the work portrayed in this parable, as well as in the parable of today’s lesson, is complete, the gathering together of all in Christ will have been accomplished.

QUESTIONS:

Who were the sheep to whom Jesus came at his first advent?

What are the characteristics of a true shepherd?

Who are the “other sheep” to whom Jesus referred?

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