Daily Devotions
John
A growing powerful series of statements
Text: John 10 : 1- 21
A GROWING POWERFUL SERIES OF STATEMENTS
In order to help the multitudes to understand who He was, Jesus began to develop a series of statements beginning with the phrase, “I Am.” Let’s take time to review the statements that He has made thus far.
A. BREAD
1. “I am the Bread of Life.” John 6:35
2. “I am the Bread which came down from heaven.” John 6:41
3. “I am the Bread of life.”John 6:48
B. LIGHT
“I am the light of the world.” John 8:12
C. SHEPHERD
1. “I am the Door of the sheep.” John 10:7
2. “I am the Door.” John 10:9
3. ” I am the Good Shepherd.” John 10:11, 14
John showed great skill in arranging his material in such a way that the careful reader would be able to understand and appreciate the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Each imagery chosen, well illustrated the Person and the Work of Jesus the Messiah. Each concept is pictorially constructed in such a way that it communicates powerful truths to the thoughtful reader. To everyone who responds positively and appropriately, salvation full and free is given.
POWERFUL CONTRASTS
Jesus used powerful “contrasts” to highlight His teachings. He contrasted “thieves and robbers” against Himself as the true Shepherd. He made use of “contrast” again when He compared the Good Shepherd with one who was a mere “hireling.”
“I am the Good Shepherd.
The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd,
one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming
and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep
and scatters them.
The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care
about the sheep.”
John 10:11-13
What an illuminating contrast we have right here. The hired help would never risk his life for the sheep. He sees the work of shepherding as “just another job”. The pay isn’t good enough to risk his life unnecessarily. With this mindset, he is in fact quite useless as a shepherd. The sheep entrusted to his care would never fare well. They would in fact be exposed to grave danger if the hired help continue to stay in his job.
The Good Shepherd on the other hand “gives his life for the sheep”. Jesus already foresaw the fact that soon He would fulfill these very words. He would give His life for the sake of the sheep.
I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Jesus went further to describe Himself as the Good Shepherd. He said,
“I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep,
and am known by My own.
As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father;
and I lay down My life for the sheep.”
John 10:14-15
A true shepherd must be able to say, “I know my sheep”. He knows his sheep so well that he knows them by name (John 10:3). The hireling couldn’t be bothered about giving names to the sheep. They are just animals to him!
How well does the Good Shepherd know His sheep? Jesus offered an answer. He knows His sheep as well as His Father knows Him. Did the Disciples remember just how well and intimately their Shepherd knew them? Did Peter remember how Jesus called him “a stone”? (John 1:42) Did Nathanael remember how Jesus called him “An Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” (John 1:47) Yes, Jesus knew each of His disciples very well. He was the Good Shepherd indeed!
GOD’S APPOINTED SHEPHERD!
It is one thing to speak about being a good shepherd. It is quite another to prove that a person is that special Good Shepherd, unless there is definite Scriptural proof.
“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold;
them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice;
and there will be one flock and one Shepherd.”
John 10:16
What did Jesus have in mind even as He spoke these words? Did Ezekiel’s prophecy come to His mind?
“I will establish One Shepherd over them,
and He shall feed them – My Servant David.
He shall feed them and be their shepherd.
And I, the Lord, will be their God,
And My servant David a prince among them;
I, the Lord, have spoken.”
Ezekiel 34:23-24
Did the people understand the significance of what Jesus said? He was that Servant David anointed by God to be that Good Shepherd!