Concerning John Chapter 10, Alfred Edersheim said, "…if the scenes of the last few days had made anything plain, it was the unfitness of the teachers of Israel for their professed work in feeding the flock of God." Edersheim pg. 605
The days of which Edersheim speaks held a huge celebration for the Jewish people. During that celebration, the religious leaders did a number of things. They sent officers to arrest Jesus, tried to trick him by asking difficult questions, charged him with blasphemy, claimed he was demonic, tried to stone him, and excommunicated a man given his sight by Jesus.
Chapter 10 is part of Jesus' response to these leaders. John 10:1-5 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him, the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." John 10:6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
I. I AM THE ONLY DOOR
John 10:7-10 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
II. I AM THE ONLY SHEPHERD
John 10:11-13c I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
III. I AM OBEDIENT ONLY TO THE FATHER
John 10:17-18 For this reason, the Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."
Conclusion:
In this passage, Jesus said, I am the only way to the sheepfold (the place of safety, the kingdom of God). Anyone who is among the sheep any other way has snuck in and is a thief and robber. I am the One who truly cares for the sheep. He came at great cost to himself, even giving his life for the sheep so that they could be saved and be made part of the fold of God. But he was emphatic that he is the only way. He makes people choose.
Two questions:
1. Have you come to Jesus by faith unto salvation?
2. If you say yes, what shepherd are you listening to in your daily life?
