Bible Study - Name - JESUS Our Shepherd - John 10:7-16 - December 30, 2012

Bible Study - Name – JESUS Our Shepherd – December 30, 2012

This is lesson five (5) our final lesson in the series entitled, “What’s in a Name?”

Our scripture is John 10:7-16.

Our study has led us to consider the many attributes and characteristics of GOD as expressed by HIS name. HE manifests Himself in many different ways to those who love HIM, look to HIM for salvation and walk with HIM each day. The Bible makes it clear that GOD is consistent and in HIM there is no shadow of turning (James 1:17). HE is not fickle. HE says what HE means and means what HE says. HE is sovereign. HIS sovereignty is very hard to deal with when circumstances do not go our way.  

HE loved mankind so much that HE allowed HIS only Son to come to earth not only to reveal HIS reality and love but also to freely give HIS life to pay, in full, the debt for sin and its consequence, eternal death. Physical death is 100%. But every person has a decision to make whether or not to accept or reject CHRIST as his/her Savior. Accepting CHRIST as your Savior means eternal life and no judgment; Rewards for obediently serving HIM but no judgment. CHRIST in you is what makes you a Christian through the miracle of rebirth. Rebirth is a Spiritual matter that is confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit within each person who receives CHRIST.

Our final study focuses on JESUS the Shepherd. HE is a chip off the block because GOD is also considered a Shepherd. JESUS left HIS home in heaven. HE chose to leave HIS Glory in heaven as well. HE willingly came to earth to be born 100% human and yet 100% divine. HE had access to divine power but chose not to use it in order to fulfill HIS mission. HE came to earth to give HIS life for all who would have faith in HIM. The Apostle John revealed the nature of CHRIST as Savior and Shepherd of the body of true believers, the flock. Let’s explore.

Let’s read John 10:7-10:

The Good Shepherd – Introduction:

We need to keep in mind the timeline regarding the unfolding of these events. When JESUS was teaching this message, HIS crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension had not taken place. The scriptures had prophesied these events and CHRIST had spoken of some of these but for the most part they went over the heads of those to whom HE was speaking and HIS disciples. When the Apostle John wrote of this particular event, it was some 50 plus years after the Passion of CHRIST. John received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and had been faithful in the preaching the gospel all these years. John fully understood and fully comprehended the full scope of the passion of CHRIST.

JESUS was teaching. It is difficult to make Spiritual matters understandable to non-Spiritual people. To help HIS audience then and us today, JESUS took examples from ordinary life and related them to Spiritual truths to help us understand Spiritual matters. The Holy Spirit works within each person to bring empowerment, enlightenment and understanding to Spiritual truth. GOD works within every non-believer to give him/her the opportunity to respond positively or negatively to HIS call for him/her to surrender his/her life to HIM.

GOD’S Spirit is always at work in the lives of all who need salvation and those who have received salvation. At Pentecost, GOD sent the Holy Spirit to earth to indwell every person who put his/her faith in CHRIST. JESUS stated in John 20:29:

29 Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (KJV)

There are those who saw and heard JESUS. There are those who since the Passion of CHRIST must depend upon GOD’S Word (the Bible), the Holy Spirit, the witness of other Christians, teachers, preachers, evangelists, etc. who present truth, salvation and live through faith in CHRIST.

Those who came in contact with JESUS heard HIS teachings and witnessed the miracles GOD performed through HIM, which confirmed that HE was the Promised Messiah. GOD had led the prophets of old to write about the attributes and characteristics regarding the promised Messiah. The full knowledge of the passion of CHRIST could not be fully comprehended because it had not taken place in the chronology of these events, plus the Jews were looking for a political messiah and not an eternal Spiritual Messiah. Rather than conquering physical enemies, JESUS conquered what no human could ever conquer - sin and its consequence, eternal death. When our Spiritual enemy has been conquered, the wisdom and strength to conquer our physical enemies becomes evident for those having faith in GOD through CHRIST. Giving your life to CHRIST forms a relationship that builds and matures as you obediently serve HIM. 

The Gospel of John was written about 85-90 A.D. or about 53-58 years after the death and resurrection of JESUS. When John wrote his gospel account, he had the full understanding of the passion of CHRIST, as the other writers of the New Testament. Did those to whom JESUS was speaking or teaching fully understand or comprehend HIS message at that moment? Only GOD knows because we do know that GOD’S Word does not return void. GOD reveals truth and HE can reveal it at the instant it is presented or hide it in our hearts to reveal it at an exact moment to produce the most needed result, which is salvation.

In JESUS’ day, the raising of sheep was a business and most people of that day could relate to raising sheep. People knew that the shepherd was the key to raising sheep and protecting them from themselves and from harm. Sheep folds could range in size. The fold was a corral to prevent the sheep from going astray and to protect them from thieves, robbers and predators when they bedded down at night. At night, the shepherd placed himself across the entrance to the fold to protect his sheep. To get to the sheep, a thief or predator had to come through the shepherd.  Sheep were helpless and needed guidance, protection, food, and care that the shepherd provided.

Psalm 23 written by David. David was a shepherd and made the connection between taking care of sheep to GOD taking care of those who come to HIM and choose to walk with HIM. 

Let’s read Psalm 23:

The Good Shepherd A Davidic psalm. 

1 The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

JESUS was teaching HIS listeners then and us today, through the words penned by the Apostle John. JESUS is the entrance to eternal life. HE is the Good Shepherd and guards HIS sheep and nothing can snatch them out of HIS hand. HE and the Father are one and nothing can snatch them out of the Father’s hand. Once a person is born into the Kingdom of GOD, he/she will never become unborn.

From a Spiritual point-of-view the words spoken by JESUS are vital for every Christian. Salvation is only the beginning of a lifetime of obedience and Spiritual growth while serving our LORD. Just as sheep must follow their shepherd, Christians must follow CHRIST. JESUS was telling all Christians that there are spiritual battles that threaten their Spiritual lives. People are in spiritual battles every day. Satan’s desire is to defeat and destroy every person ever born on earth. His first goal is to prevent a person from becoming a Christian. If he fails at preventing a person from becoming a Christian, he does all he can to defeat and destroy him/her and his/her witness. That is why it is so important that we pray for one another and support each other as Christians.

JESUS was saying be careful because I know that you do not fully understand what you are up against. This is where trust comes into your lives. Just as the sheep have to trust the shepherd, JESUS was saying, you must trust ME as the Good Shepherd to lead you to heaven. Satan will do all he can to turn your thoughts away from following JESUS. Satan will show you many ways to heaven but they are all lies because Satan is a liar and the truth is not in him. Keep in mind that JESUS said, “I AM the Good Shepherd.” HE is the only way to heaven.    

7 So Jesus said again, “I assure you: I ame Ex 3:14; Ps 45:8; Jn 8:24 the door of the sheep.f Mt 7:15

“I assure you” in essence was like telling HIS audience, “listen to what I AM about to tell you because it is truth.” Notice the use of “I AM.” HE was tying what HE had to say to “YAHWEH.” Then HE tells them that HE is the Shepherd Who is the door or the entrance to GOD. HE is the guardian of sheep in the fold. All who have faith in HIM enter into HIS fold and HE protects and cares for them.

8 All who came before Me g Other mss omit before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.

There have been others who proclaimed to be the true shepherd and represent GOD but they were robbers and thieves. Robbers take what they want by force and thieves sneak in to take what they want. JESUS being the Good Shepherd bears witness to GOD and reveals truth. HE is truth.

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

 Again JESUS used the term “I AM.” HE established HIS authority as the entrance to eternal life and the direct access to GOD. All who have faith in HIM will be saved from the consequence of sin, which is eternal death. 

10 A thief comes only to stealh Eph 4:28 and to kill and to destroy.i Jn 6:27 I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

False teachers and prophets do not know the truth but deceive others into thinking that they do. Their agenda is to defeat and destroy those seeking truth. They like for people to follow them and they have big egos. We see this today in feel good religions. They pitch Christianity as if you have enough faith you can have whatever you want. They are false and what they present will not hold up. If they use scripture, you can see results because as mentioned earlier, GOD’S Word never returns void. Discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Pay attention when you suspect truth is not being taught.

JESUS stated “I AM” the true Shepherd. HE came to earth willingly for all who place faith in ME to receive forgiveness for their sins and receive the free gift of eternal life and the abundant life while living upon earth. Once you settle where you will spend eternity, you are free to live as GOD directs your life. Life does not get any better than obediently serving GOD.

Let’s read John 10:11-13:

11 “I am the good shepherd.j Ps 23; Isa 40:11; Ezk 34:12,23; 37:24; Zch 13:7; Jn 21:15-17; Heb 13:20; 1Pt 2:25; 5:4; Rv 7:17 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.k Mt 20:28; Mk 10:45; 2Co 5:21; Gl 3:13; 1Jn 3:16

Again JESUS used “I AM” as HE told them that HE is the Good Shepherd. As the Good Shepherd, HE would give HIS life for all who would accept HIM on faith. CHRIST died for our sins. Our sin was placed upon HIM and HIS righteousness was placed upon us. Righteousness gives Christians immediate and eternal access to GOD, such that we can call HIM, Daddy.

12 The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves theml Lit leaves the sheep and runs away when he sees a wolfm Lk 10:3 coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them.

HIS audience was well aware that some hired shepherd would run when danger approached. The sheep were not his, so why should he risk his life. JESUS owns HIS sheep because HE bought them with HIS life. HE will never forsake HIS own or leave them.

13 This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep.

False teachers, preachers, pastors, evangelist and Bible study leaders do not know the truth and when tested it falls apart. When challenged, the usual explanation is, “You did not have enough faith.”

Let’s read John 10:14-16:

14 “I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me,

JESUS as the Good Shepherd is personally committed to the sheep in HIS fold. HE knows them intimately. HE knows the number of the hairs on their head. HE knows their hearts and the beauty is that they know HIM. How do they know HIM? It is by having an intimate, personal relationship with HIM. Christians study the Bible, talk to GOD and obediently serve HIM as the Holy Spirit leads and directs their lives. As they obediently serve HIM, they get to know HIM through on-the-job training. Serving HIM builds this dynamic relationship as we see HIS power and handiwork manifested.

The indwelling Holy Spirit confirms their relationship with HIM. Do you remember Romans 8:16:

16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

15 as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father.n Mt 11:27; Lk 10:22 I lay down My lifeo Mt 20:28 for the sheep.

JESUS had been referring to Himself as “I AM.” In verse 15, HE makes it clear that HE knows GOD, HIS Father, intimately and personally. GOD, in turn, knows HIM just as intimately and personally. HIS knowledge was not just head knowledge but heart knowledge as the result of an intimate, personal and dynamic relationship with GOD. As Christians, we can have this same dynamic relationship.

16 But I have other sheepp Isa 56:8; Ezk 34:11-13; Mt 8:11,12; Jn 12:32; Ac 10:34-35; 1Pt 2:25 that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd.q Ezk 34:23; 37:24; Jn 11:52; 17:11,20-22; Eph 2:11-19

JESUS stated that HE had other sheep. Who are these other sheep? GOD allowed JESUS to come to earth first of all for the salvation of the Jews. But JESUS made it clear that HE also came for the salvation of the Gentiles. Gentiles included all other races.

GOD revealed prophesies regarding the promised Messiah to the Jews. Scripture made clear all the aspects of the Messiah – where HE would be born, how GOD would manifest Himself through HIM (miracles), HIS death and the list goes on. But with all of their archives of scripture and constant search of them, they could not see JESUS as the Messiah. They were blinded to truth because they had made up their minds that the Messiah would be an earthly ruler and deliver them from Roman rule. They wanted a physical deliverer and not a Spiritual deliverer. When GOD rules the hearts of mankind, mankind does not need a physical deliverer. A Spiritual solution is eternal whereas a physical solution is temporary.

GOD chose the Jews to have the first opportunity to recognize, acknowledge and confirm JESUS as the true Promised Messiah. Some of the Jews accepted HIM as their Savior but many rejected HIM.

Salvation would not end with the Jews rejection of JESUS because salvation would come to the Gentiles, as well. Salvation is available to all who ask CHRIST to forgive them for their sins and accept HIS passion on faith. CHRIST brings unity because all Christians are GOD’S children. There is one flock made of all who accept CHRIST as their Savior and all true Christians form the body of CHRIST, which is the true Spiritual church. The Spiritual church is not defined or confined by a physical building or some organized Christian religious organization.

CHRIST is the Good Shepherd of all true Christians. As you obediently serve GOD through CHRIST you will build an intimate relationship with HIM and get to know HIM intimately. HE will become your very best friend and you journey together. You will discover that HE is the good Shepherd and you obediently follow HIM. I hope all had a blessed Christmas and will have a blessed New Year. Blessings!!!