I am the Good Shepherd

John Farley
Pastor Teacher
Sunday,
May 8, 2022

“I am the good shepherd.”

 

JOH 10:11-18

Jesus uses simple language to reveal profound truths.

I lay down my life for the sheep.

The scene passes from the confines of the sheep-pen to the big wide world outside.

Jesus introduces three new figures: the hired hand, the wolf, the sheep not of this fold.

 

The good shepherd will lay down his life for his sheep.

He has other sheep that are not of this fold.

JOH 10:11

He repeats this in verses 15, 17, and 18 of chapter 10. It is a point of emphasis.

“for” - the Greek word is huper. Here it means on behalf of or as a substitute for.

In John, huper is often associated with a sacrifice on behalf of someone else.

JOH 15:13

Jesus intentionally gives up His life for His sheep.

Verse 11 serves as the topic sentence for this passage.

JOH 10:11

JOH 10:12-13

The good shepherd is the opposite of what is said about the hired hand.

The shepherd IS the owner of the sheep.

When the wolf comes, the shepherd does not flee. He protects His sheep.

He is more concerned about the life of the sheep than he is about his own life.

JOH 10:14-15

This is a finely crafted sentence. It plays off the topic sentence in verse 11.

He inserts fresh material between the first and second part of the topic sentence.

The language is simple. The clauses are balanced. The truth is profound.

The Greek word for “know” here is ginosko.

To learn to know a person through direct personal experience, implying a continuity of relationship.

He has a close, intimate relationship with His sheep.

This reflects the close, intimate knowledge shared between the Father and the Son.

MAT 11:27

Jesus knows that His sheep need to be rescued from certain death.

They know that He is the only one who can save them.

The Father wants none of them to perish. Jesus knows the will of His Father.

JOH 6:37-40

The Father loves the Son. And Jesus knows this as well.

JOH 5:20

So Jesus must act.
He will lay down His life for the sheep.

JOH 10:16

11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

By “this fold” He means Israel.

Who are His other sheep who are not of this fold, ie, not of Israel?

He is also going to lay down His life for the Gentiles.

JOH 12:32-33

JOH 10:16

He will gather up both Jews and Gentiles and they shall be joined into one flock!

Here in John 10:16, Jesus is anticipating the church age.

EPH 2:11-14