JOHN CHAPTER 10.

JOHN CHAPTER 10.

In this chapter Jesus is described as the Shepherd of the people of God, and as the Giver of Eternal Life.  The Shepherd performed a number of activities on behalf of the flock.  He is essential to its life, unity and preservation.  The Shepherd firstly unifies the flock, he provides leadership for the flock, especially in the search for new pastures.  He protects from foes and cares for the young and helpless.  Not only so, but the term shepherd was frequently used to describe the authority of a ruler or deity.  His authority involved care of others.  It could be used to describe God's supreme authority over the nations.  A good instance of this meaning is Rev.2:27, where his disciplinary authority is expressed in the words "he will rule (shepherd) them with a rod of iron." 

           

In John 10 the use of the term Shepherd expresses the Deity of the Lord.  In the Old Testament He is called the Shepherd of Israel. (Ezek.34:11-16; Isa.40:10-11).   The Jews were chiefly a pastoral people and the figure of a shepherd and his flock would convey many spiritual lessons to them.  This chapter would have great value when John wrote, especially to presbyters who sought to shepherd the flock of God.  For no figure of speech could convey in a better way the task of the spiritual leader than that of a shepherd.  (See Jn.21:16; Acts 20:28 and 1.Pet.5:2). 

           

The Greek word translated "good" in verse 11 and 14 is given by Raymond Brown as "model".  Jesus is the model shepherd.  The ministry of Christ on behalf of his people is a model to the under-presbyters, or pastors among the people of God.  This gains in force when we perceive that the word `pastor' is from the Latin meaning shepherd.  Christ is not only the Chief Shepherd, but he is also the Model Shepherd.  His ministry is a model to all who would shepherd God's people.  We remember that the Eastern shepherd leads the flock rather than drives it.  A poet has written of the Ideal Presbyter:

            "Of an ambassador the just address.

            A father's tenderness, a shepherd's care,

            A leader's courage which the Cross can bear,

            A ruler's awe, a watchman's wakeful eye,

            A pilot's skill, the helm in storms to ply,

            A fisher's patience, and a labour's toil,

            A guides dexterity to disembroil,

            A prophet's inspiration from above,

            A teacher's knowledge and a Saviour's love. - Sel.

            10:1-6.  The Shepherd of the Sheep.

           

This chapter commences with a double "amen, amen."  And the New Testament has "I tell you the truth."  The New Bible Dictionary comments "Christ's use of it (amen) is unique, and seems to imply that he is endowing his words with his own Messianic authority."  Brown writes that the phrase is never used abruptly to introduce a fresh topic and chapter 10 is closely related to chapter 9.

           

It was the practice among shepherds to put the flock or flocks into a fold or sheep-pen for the night.  The fold was usually square with strong and high stone walls and topped briars.  The porter or watchman would sleep beside the narrow entrance.  Sometimes the shepherd himself would become watchman.  Jesus describes himself as the door or gate to the flock, though he does not describe himself as the door of the fold.  But it is through Christ that Jewish believers gain deliverance from the fold.

           

The watchman opens the gate in the morning for the shepherd, but a thief or robber must climb over the wall during the night and violently seize the sheep.  It is not easy to be certain whom the watchman is.  Some think John the Baptist or the Holy Spirit or the rites of the law that God appointed for Israel.  Others that Jesus entered the fold lawfully as the shepherd of the sheep.

           

The shepherd when he enters calls all his own sheep by name and they listen to his voice for they recognize it.  They know the voice of their shepherd and will follow no one else.  Though another shepherd may have sheep in the fold with the same names, the sheep recognize only the voice of their own shepherd.  So the Lord leads his sheep out from the Jewish fold or pen and he goes ahead of them and they follow him since they know and have confidence in his voice.

           

10:7-10.  The Gate of Salvation.   Jesus is the gate for the sheep.  They had rejected all who came before him.  Those genuinely his sheep refuse to listen to heretical teachers. And then in verse 9 Jesus said, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."  He is the Gate of Salvation to all men.  He is the one and only way of salvation.  Not only so, he provides liberty and pasture for all who are saved. 

           

The Eastern shepherd would lead out his sheep to new and abundant pastures.  This was an obligation which fell upon him.  The Lord shows his genuine concern for the welfare of his own, and in this he stands in contrast to those who steal, kill and destroy the flock.  He seeks our good for he came that we may have life, and to have it to the full.

           

10:11-13.  The Good Shepherd.  The good shepherd voluntarily lays down his life for the sheep.  He stands in contrast to the hireling who abandons the sheep in the hour of danger and flees.  The hireling has no true care for the sheep.

           

10:14-16.  One Flock and One Shepherd.  The Lord speaks of other sheep which are not of this flock.  Who then are such sheep?  They include both Jews and Gentiles who belong to Christ (the same shepherd).  This suggests the unity of the people of God.  This unity is not a oneness of organization.  The Shepherd is the unifying Centre of the flock. 

           

During the Second World War a young aviator would zoom down upon the Arab village, men and animals would flee in every direction.  Even sheep having no shepherd would flee and scatter.  In the pen or fold a high strong wall covered with thorns kept the sheep in.  Then the young aviator would see a shepherd with his flock in the wilderness.  He would think to so scatter the flock that it would take considerable time for the shepherd to round up the flock.  We can imagine the young aviator's surprise that as he zoomed down over the flock then all the sheep would closely gather around the shepherd.  They perceived safety in closeness to the shepherd, and it is in Christ we find security and unity. 

           

The Lord spoke of other sheep which were not of this flock, who were they?  They included all believers in Christ. We are made one in Christ.  Such other sheep must be brought that there be one shepherd and one flock.  The shepherd is the Centre of the flock and unites every member.  The unity of the people of God is not a matter of organization, it is a matter of loyalty to the Shepherd.  This is the kind of unity that unites the people of God.

           

10:17-21.  The Ground of Unity.  The unity of the people is founded upon the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He has authority to lay down His life and he has authority to take it up again.  The commandment of the Father has determined it should be so.  It is the final source of authority.  On this basis the people of God are built together.  This security will never fail. (10:22-29).

           

10:30-42.  The Deity of the Son.  The Jews would stone the Lord for blasphemy for they understood his claim to oneness with the Father as a claim to Deity.  Such blasphemy deserves a stoning.  The Lord defends himself by asserting that the leaders are called gods in the Old Testament, and if they could be designated gods, how much more reasonable that the One whom the Father set apart as His very own  and sent into the world, should speak of His unity with the Father.  Could He not rightly say, "I am God's Son."

           

Jesus places significance upon his oneness with the Father, both work in perfect harmony, and this truth has considerable importance for the eternal security of all who have eternal life.