THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP, John 10. “Follow thou Me.” The FOLD is a figure of the Church or the Kingdom of God. The DOOR as a figure of Christ, the Way. The PORTER is a figure of the Holy Ghost who brings us into the fold. The SHEPHERD as a figure of Christ, our Savior and Keeper. The SHEEP as a figure of Christ’s true disciples. The HIRELING as a figure of false teachers. The WOLF as a figure of Satan “seeking whom he may devour.”
Many people are concerned about the religious sheepfold they are part of and do not consider the spiritual condition of the sheep. The Good Shepherd, unlike the thieves and robbers, is not only the Door to the kingdom of God but also the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. He intentionally sacrificed His life to bring blessing to the sheep. The outcome of that is abundant life in Christ and the good pasture of spiritual food to nourish the needs of the souls and spirits of everyone who belongs to Him.
Hirelings are people who have made a living by herding sheep instead of being true and faithful shepherds who lay down His life out of love for those who belong to Him. The Lord Jesus laid down His life for us so that we could be free from the guilt and consequences of sin. He also gave His life so that we might share in the same kind of life the Father and the Son have. The eternal life they possess, they have given to us to enjoy now and forever. The fellowship between the Father and the Son is rooted in their love, which is extended to us because of our new nature: "We love Him because He first loved us and gave Himself for us..."
Christ is the “Good Shepherd” [Jn. 10:11], for He loves the sheep even unto death. Christ is the “Great Shepherd” [Heb. 13:20], for He cares for all the flock. Christ is the “Chief Shepherd” [1Pe.5:4], for He appoints, supports, and will reward all His faithful under-shepherds.
THE GOOD SHEPHERD: He knows His sheep, all of them. “I know My sheep”; “He calleth His own sheep by name.” He bought the sheep [1Pe. 1:18-19]. He seeks and finds His sheep [Ez. 34:11-12; Lu. 19:10]. He cares for the sheep collectively and individually [Jn. 13:1]. He guides His sheep [Jn. 10:4; Ps. 32:8]. He leads them:
- In paths of holiness [Isa.35:8; Ps.24:2; 93:5; Lu.1:75’ 1Thes.4:7; Heb.12:10,14; Titus 2:3].
- In paths of happiness [Pro.3:17; Ps.109:2; 128:2; Pro.8:32; Lu.2:28; Rev.22:14].
- In paths of usefulness [Mat.4:19; 21:28; Jn.4:34-38; Jn.9:3-4; Eph.2:10; Titus 2:14; 3:1,8].
He feeds His sheep [Mk. 6:43; Rom. 5:9-10; 1Pe.2:2; Ps. 23:2,5].
At the Feast of Lights (Hanukkah), the winter festival of dedication, the Jews surrounded Jesus like a pack of animals, demanding that He say exactly what they wanted to hear. His claims of being the Christ were clearly made to the Samaritan woman and His disciples. They rejoiced in the certainty that He was the promised Messiah. However, His statements and proofs of being the Christ did not match the Jews' preconceived ideas of what the Messiah would do. They wanted deliverance from Rome and for their nation to be restored as a recognized world kingdom. Jesus had told them who He was through His teaching and demonstrated it through His works. Still, they refused to believe His testimony. He plainly told them that the reason they did not recognize Him was because they were not His sheep. Those who hear His voice and believe in Him, He knows and gives eternal life—His kind of life.
When a person receives that life as a gift from God, the Father and the Son secure them in the safety of divine hands—Almighty power. The two Persons are united in keeping those who believe in Him safe and secure. They are One in essence and substance, not just one person. What the Father is to us, the Son is also. The Jews understood what He meant and took stones in their hands but were powerless to throw them because His "hour had not yet come." No one can do what God will not allow. We may never understand why pressures and hard times happen to us, but we can keep our faith in Him and, by His grace, endure whatever life brings.
The grass is green, and the waters are still fresh and easy to reach. All that is needed to sustain life and bring profit is accessible, and the Good Shepherd guides the trusting sheep to a good pasture. He knows the needs of those in His care better than they do. He knows where to go and the right path to get there. He has invested Himself and His life in the sheep. He knows the Father’s hand is there – with His.
A voice is heard giving a command to follow, and the sheep gladly follow to places unknown. They don’t know the destination but recognize the sound of the Shepherd’s voice. They don’t know the road ahead but trust the Good Shepherd’s voice. They know there will be obstacles and unknown difficulties, but the Shepherd is present, and the life the Good Shepherd gives for the sheep is His own. The sheep live and grow in safety, even in the presence of enemies. The sheep are safe, and the Shepherd speaks! “I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish!”
The claims of the Lord Jesus to be the Christ were well supported, but those people ignored them. Even after they realized they were powerless to stone Jesus and He continued to emphasize the unity of the Godhead, they tried to seize Him by force. They could not take Him because the time for His crucifixion had not yet come. Another year of public ministry still needed to occur. That was the last time He was in Jerusalem until He returned as the rejected king, riding the donkey into the city a week before His crucifixion.
Why would someone do what others talk about? What motivation drives these words to keep the Savior on this path, knowing that if He continued, it would lead to the darkest valley—wide and deep? In Him was a love beyond our ability to understand because His love is infinite and genuine. He knew the sheep were lost, and He treasured each one, knowing the name of every single one. Without argument, fear, or hesitation, He faced death, even though He was the sinless Son of God. The conclusion is that He provided full salvation; abundant life is available to us because Jesus died.
A love without measure is such a moral pleasure that the sheep for which He died will also show love. As they go further in life, they often gather to express in prayer and praise what Christ endured. Their joy is not sadness turned into gladness but the constant inner joy that comes with peace. The Good Shepherd who once died is alive forevermore and provides them with His necessary grace throughout life. The Good Shepherd who laid down His life now invites us to walk with Him in light, and we, in turn, reflect His love to others. The world, so much in need of love from those who love Him, should now see the love of Christ shining through us to our brothers.
I can feel conflicted when opportunities I have ignored make me question why God has left me here. I, too, must love the sheep; I have moral obligations to fulfill, so there will be burdens I am called to carry. I should not avoid or become annoyed if some sheep seem to be straying from the fold. There will always be a reason, perhaps a temptation that has caught them, and I can help them, even though I am old. The privilege of an under-shepherd is that he works under the Chief Shepherd; He is not left to tend the sheep alone. A day is coming when, with rejoicing, we will come and voice our praise to the Good Shepherd who has brought us to His home.
When the Lord left there, He went back to the place where He was baptized and first began His public ministry. It is of great interest that many came there to be with Him and to hear His teaching. Those who came recognized the difference between a prophet and the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. Even though He was rejected in Jerusalem, many believed in Him there. Because the door is closed against the Lord and the Gospel in one place, it doesn't mean there are no people who want and need to hear the way of salvation. It is up to us to bring people to Jesus so they might find the great blessing of eternal life.
Following means Loving the One who has called; the One who is Shepherd so true. It is natural for sheep, whom the Shepherd does feed, to love the One who gives them their food.
Following means Leaving; no longer am I cleaving to anything that may hold me back. The Shepherd has called to new pastures so green, and to waters still, my thirst there to slake.
Following means Loyalty: to the Shepherd alone; not to robber or hireling or thief. If I listen to men, like a wolf from its den, they’ll come to capture my life.
Following means Learning from the Shepherd who knows all I need to enjoy this new life. To learn from His Word, all I can and should, will give strength to go forward in faith.
Following means Likeness to the Shepherd who leads, and who feeds and protects with His hand. It’s not that I look like the Shepherd so much, but that I know how to follow His commands.
The enemies are keen, with their plans to demean and defeat all the sheep of His flock. They will not be able to win or defeat by their sin, sheep who, in the Shepherd’s steps, willingly walk.
The Father’s great care, with His heart full of love, holds tight in His hand each loved one. And in the Shepherd’s hand, too, so strong and secure, each sheep is kept till we’re home.
So, we follow Him now and are content that He knows each and every new problem ahead. And contentment is mine, as His nature divine, linked with mine, makes me follow His lead.
With joy, I will go where He leads me to show others the blessings complete. The Shepherd leads on, and His steps, I do know, lead to pastures where gladly I’ll feed.
THEREFORE: “Follow Me,” with hearts surrendered in humility. “Follow Me” with hands sanctified by carrying the cross. “Follow Me” with hope entirely satisfied by the promises of God. “Follow Me” with happiness secured by knowing and doing the will of God.