John 10:11-14 - Lesson #102

In a discussion with the Jewish leaders, Jesus gave one illustration after another to indicate He was the promised leader sent from God. He said He was the true shepherd; "All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers" (John 10:8). He claimed to be the door through which the sheep could enter and be saved, and He claimed to be the giver of abundant life. The distinction between Jesus and all other so-called leaders could not be overstated, so He continued.

John 10:11-14
"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. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own."

Jesus drew a distinction between Himself as the "good" shepherd and all who claimed to be shepherds. He then explained that the essential character of the good shepherd was that He gives His life for the sheep.

The word for "life" refers to much more than physical life. It carries the idea of essence, or all that makes us who we are. The same word is used to describe the greater love; "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13). Jesus demonstrated this kind of love when He "made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7). And He continued this love by suffering the humiliation of death on a cross for the forgiveness of sin.

Jesus was declaring that He was the ONLY one to be followed and trusted because He was the only one who cared for the sheep and loved them as His very own. The hireling represented the leaders who were in the position for personal gain. They would stay only as long as the position added to their own comfort. But the moment the sheep were threatened, they would run. Peter gave this same exhortation to the leaders of the early church; "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly" (1 Peter 5:2).

In every flock there are those who seek, not to build up, but to tear down and destroy. They bring discouragement and lead others away from the Word of life. All around the world, we are in desperate need of shepherds who truly love the sheep and are prepared to give up the essence of who they are for the sake of those entrusted into their care, even in the face of great danger. Are you such a shepherd?

Jesus gave of Himself in ways we can't even understand. All we can do is receive His gift, and worship; "For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand" (Psalm 95:7). Let's give our all for our fellow sheep. And then let's bow down and worship the Good Shepherd.