Reading: John 9-10
I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep (John 10:11-15).
Standing in the Temple around the time of the feast of the dedication (Hanukkah), surrounded by Pharisees, scribes, and other Jewish leaders, Jesus made this bold pronouncement. When He stated I am the good Shepherd, He identified Himself as the One Shepherd of the prophecy of Ezekiel, and He also made it clear that the current religious leaders were also represented (in a less than flattering light) by Ezekiel’s words.
The religious authorities in Israel were known as the shepherds of Israel, but they were false, self-centered prophets. Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks (Ezek. 34:2)? To rectify this, the Lord fulfilled His promise to send the True Shepherd. And I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them, even My servant David; He shall feed them, and He shall be their Shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it (34:23-24).
The image of Jesus as a loving Shepherd guiding and protecting His flock is presented time after time in Scripture. He is the good Shepherd, and we are His true sheep. In His care, we are nurtured and protected. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away (I Pet. 5:4). Once we have joined His flock, we will no longer be fooled by those who attempt to lead us away. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers (John 10:4-5).
There was muttering in the crowd as Jesus identified Himself as the good Shepherd, but when Jesus went on to reveal Himself as coequal and coeternal with God the Father, the religious leaders became openly hostile. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one (10:29-30). Their fear and hatred of the man before them spilled over, and then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him (10:31).
Those who do not have a relationship with Jesus will often go to great lengths to deny Him. They are not content to merely live without Him themselves; they want to banish Him from the lives of all mankind. Praise God that He has gathered us into His fold. We can rest safe in His embrace, knowing that there is nothing they can do to remove us from the protection of our Heavenly Father.
All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out(John 6:37).
Thought for Today: God’s Word should be a constant reminder to those without faith that their lives can have meaning, but those lost in their sins are far quicker to lash out against the news than embrace it.
Cross Reference:For John 10:34: See Ps. 82:6.
Word Studies:10:3 porter = doorkeeper; watchman; 10:41 resorted unto Him = came to Him.
Pray for Staff:Judy McCrary • Government Officials: Rep. Carol Miller (WV), Rep. Richard Hudson (NC) • Country: Gibraltar (29,185) Southwestern Europe • Major Language: English • Religious Freedom • 78.1% Roman Catholic; 7% Church of England; 3.2% Other Christian; 4% Muslim; 2.1% Jewish; 1.8% Hindu; 0.9% Other/ Unspecified; 2.9% None • Prayer Suggestion: In times of trouble, pray and seek comfort in the Word of God (Ps. 119:50).