The Good Shepherd

KEY VERSE: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” —John 10:11

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: John 10:1-16

AMONG THE MANY illustrations from everyday life that Jesus used in his teachings, the shepherd and the sheep provided a basis for numerous lessons. Jesus used this picture in the verses here under consideration to show not only his position in this arrangement, but also that of his followers, both of that time, as well as in the future.

In John 10:1-5, Jesus sets the groundwork of his lesson by stating that in order for one to become the shepherd of the sheep, it is first necessary that he enter into the sheepfold. This can only be done through entering “by the door into the sheepfold.” (vs. 1) Any who might try to enter another way would not qualify as a shepherd. Jesus knew that the ‘sheep’ he was dealing with were the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt. 10:6) The way to qualify as their shepherd was to keep their Law Covenant with God. The Law was the ‘door’ into the sheepfold of Israel. Jesus was the only one to keep this Law perfectly, thus qualifying him to become the shepherd of those ‘lost sheep’. Verses 3-5 tell us that, having entered into the sheepfold, the shepherd calls to his sheep; they hear his voice and follow him, not hearkening to the voice of any stranger.

It was to the house of Israel that Jesus, their shepherd, first gave the invitation to follow him. He would lead them out of the Law Covenant arrangements that served as types and shadows of better things to come, but which did not bring life. This leading would be to a “new and living” way (Heb. 10:20), by grace and not by works, resulting in eternal life to those who would faithfully follow their shepherd.

Jesus elaborates further upon this picture. (vss. 7-15) The ‘door’ now is Jesus himself. “I am the door of the sheep,” he says in verse 7. A change has taken place. Now through Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles could enter into God’s sheepfold. These “find pasture” (vs. 9) to grow.

Jesus is both the door to the sheepfold, as well as the shepherd of the sheep. That is, he is the means—the door—by which one enters into this arrangement; and once we enter in, he is our shepherd. The shepherd is the protector, the guide, and the caretaker of the sheep. To such an extent did Jesus fulfill this, he said, “The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (vs. 11) There are those, he says, such as thieves and hirelings, who either come to destroy the sheep or have no interest in their well-being. None should mistake such for the good shepherd. The good shepherd knows his sheep, and they know him.—vs. 14

Jesus concludes his lesson by stating that there are other sheep that he has, but they are of another fold. (vs. 16) These, he says, must be, in due time, brought also into the sheepfold. When this is done, then there will be “one fold, and one shepherd.” We understand Jesus’ words to mean that not only will those of his faithful followers of this age—‘Israelites indeed’—be counted as his sheep, but eventually all mankind, during Christ’s kingdom, will have the opportunity to enter into this arrangement and become sheep under the loving shepherd’s care and direction. They will not be of the heavenly fold, but of the earthly one through the New Covenant. If obedient under the righteous laws of the kingdom, they will inherit the blessings promised to father Abraham, “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.”—Gen. 22:18.

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