JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD 

John 10:11-21 / Keywords 10:11

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

 

10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

19 The Jews who heard these words were again divided. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”

21 But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

1. This passage shows us that a hired hand of the sheep works in order to get paid. However, when the time of adversity comes, they abandon the sheep. They do not have a shepherd heart and are not willing to risk their lives for the sheep.

 

2. Jesus is the good shepherd because he lays down his life for his sheep. He sacrifices his own life for sinful, weak, and rebellious sheep. He is the good shepherd because he knows each of them and cares for them with a shepherd heart. His sheep know their shepherd and listen to his voice. He is the good shepherd because he also cares for those outside the pen. Jesus offers himself as the Savior of the world and has concern for lost souls. God loves his Son who willingly laid down his life in obedience to God. He is the giver of eternal life for his sheep. Furthermore, Jesus has the authority to rise again from the dead.

 

3. Jesus’ sheep know that he is the good shepherd who laid down his life voluntarily and rose again from the dead to give them eternal life. They listen to his voice, trust his words, and follow him to the end.

 

Prayer Lord, you are my good shepherd. Help me to be a good sheep to you. Grow me as a good shepherd like you.

One Word Jesus, the good shepherd