sign in sign up
<<
Home , Good Shepherd

The Good :11-21 John 10:11 the : the good shepherd giveth his life for the

Background: A man born blind from birth is sitting in a crowd of religious leaders declaring to be God. This same group of religious men have discredited the blind man and thrown him out of the religious system and rejected Jesus outright. Jesus would now use an illustration they would all understand based on their background. We all need a Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd cares for each one of us personally! • In spite of your past • In spite of your background • In spite of your heritage • He just wants to bring you into the fold! The key question for some is: • Do you want to be one of His sheep? • Do you understand that you are a lost sinner and in need a shepherd? • Will you accept the Good Shepherd’s love and guidance? On the other side we have the hirelings: The hirelings were in it for themselves. Sitting right in front of them is a man born blind whose sight had been restored, yet the religious men had him kicked him out of the temple. His crime - accepting the Good Shepherd Jesus. :37–38 - And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. He believed and worshiped. The Good Shepherd cares for the sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The word “good” here is used with the sense of excellence and it contrasts Him with the hirelings who are evil . The true shepherd loves and cares for his sheep. The hireling loves and cares for himself. When danger approaches, the true shepherd will defend while the hireling will run away. Although the title, Good Shepherd, is only found in the , Jesus was intentionally reaching into the Old Testament with his words. When Jesus claimed to be the good shepherd, he was speaking to the who claimed to know the scriptures. The book of Ezekiel is a prophecy regarding shepherds and sheep. This prophecy is regarding shepherds that were overseers for the people of God, and another shepherd that was to come later. By calling himself the good shepherd, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah that the scriptures foretold. Jesus’ claim to be the good shepherd is just one of seven other declarations regarding who he was. There are seven times Jesus begins a statement with the words I am and claims a tile or role. These are commonly called the I am statements. By calling himself the good shepherd, Jesus was claiming to be the Almighty God.

The Good Shepherd…

I. Loves His Sheep John 10:11–16 - 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. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life! He says “I Love you and am willing to die for you.” An incredible statement. Many times, the Lord Jesus used the expression “I am,” one of the titles of Deity. Each time He was making a claim to equality with God the Father. Here he presented Himself as the good shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. Ordinarily, the sheep were called upon to lay down their lives for the shepherd. But the Lord Jesus died for the flock. On the other side: • The hireling lacks commitment • The hireling lacks concern In contrast with a hired workman, the Good Shepherd has an intimacy with and personal interest in the sheep ( vv. 3, 27). This intimacy is modeled on the loving and trusting mutual relationship of the Father and the Son. The Good Shepherd…

II. Lays Down His Life John 10:17–18 - Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. • I put myself between Hell and you • I will stand in the gap • I will take your place • I will take your punishment Four times he said he would voluntarily lay down His life: (vs 11,14,17,18.) In verses 17 and 18, the Lord Jesus explained what He would do in order to bring both elect Jews and Gentiles to Himself. He looked forward to the time of His death, burial, and resurrection. These words would be utterly out of place were the Lord Jesus a mere man. He spoke of laying down His life and taking it again by His own power. He could only do this because He is God. The Father loved the Lord Jesus because of His willingness to die and rise again, in order that lost sheep might be saved. “This command I have received from My Father,” he said. The Father had commissioned or instructed the Lord to lay down His life and to rise again from among the dead. His death and resurrection were essential acts in fulfillment of the Father’s will. Therefore, He became obedient unto death, and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures. Romans 5:6–8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The Good Shepherd…

III. Creates Division John 10:19–21 - There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? Statements such as these were bound to elicit a response. John tells of the shepherd and his fellows (10:19–21). Because of what he said there was conflict. So much so they said again he must have a demon. Jesus’ claim to have received authority from God in heaven to lay down his life and to take it again was more than some of them could take. The message of the good shepherd will divide! • Some will say it not true. • Some will say that goes against all I have ever heard • Some will say you are the devil • Many will say I don’t need a shepherd Why does this matter! It is difference between forgiveness and condemnation. It is the difference between pride and humility. Are you too prideful to admit that you need a shepherd or are you ready to accept the shepherd for forgiveness of sins and a new life?