JESUS THE CHRIST IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

PROCLAMATION

“I am The Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”  “I am The Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know me; …”  John 10:11 and 14 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the remainder of the conversation with the Scribes and the Pharisees which Jesus began in the previous chapter. (John 9:39-41)  They were upset that Jesus had implied that they were blind, and now He was referring to them as robbers and thieves, but they did not understand Him. (John 10:1 and 6)  Jesus explained it to them again. (John 10:7-10)  Then He said, “I am The Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)  He said the hired hand will not die for the sheep; he will run away and abandon them in the face of trouble. (John 10:12-13)  Throughout this conversation, Jesus continued to refer to God as His Father. (John 10:15, and verses 17, 18, 25, 29, 30, 36, 37, and 38)  However, when He said, “I and The Father are one” they again picked up stones to stone Him. (John 10:30-33)  They tried to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp. (John 10:39)

 

APPLICATION

We ought to really love The Lord.  He knows each of us by name. (John 10:3 and 14)  He also knows everything about each and every one of us intimately, and He still loves us.  He willingly laid down His life for us and paid the debt for our sins.  Some people have trouble believing in Him.  He causes division among the people, between the saved and the unsaved, between believers and non-believers.  He also causes division within each of the believers, between our sinful human nature and our Christian nature.  The devil has the ability to influence people and things, but The Lord God has the ultimate control over everything.  He has all power in heaven and earth. (Matthew 28:18)  He provides for us, He protects us, and He preserves us.  That is why we can say, “The Lord is my Shepherd ...” (Psalm 23:1)  The Lord is The Good Shepherd, and gladly, we are His sheep.