Seven times John records Jesus giving Himself an “I Am” name. Each one describes an aspect of our relationship with Him; how we should view Jesus and relate to Him. Each also provides a glimpse of what Jesus offers to all faithful and obedient believers. May you be enriched and blessed as you study these names and discover what He offers to you each day.
The fourth “I am” name Jesus gave Himself is found in John 10:11-18; “I am the good shepherd.”
Take a moment to ponder what this name Jesus gave Himself means to you. Each name Jesus gave Himself indicates a human need He alone can meet. What do you think the human need is that He alone can meet as the “good shepherd” for mankind?
The setting for this statement was sheep…sheep, sheep and more sheep. Using this common animal – one well known, with traits understood by the people of His day – Jesus makes important points about Himself and all of us.
Sheep have two needs – other than food and water. They need a pen to protect them and a shepherd to lead them. Earlier in John 10, Jesus said He was the door to the pen; that He was/is the protector of His sheep (His sheep means us, Christians).
In this passage He states He is the shepherd for His sheep as well. More than just a shepherd, He is the good shepherd. What makes a shepherd good?
Jesus tells us: “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I lay down My life for the sheep” (John 10:11b,15b). A good shepherd is willing to sacrifice for his sheep. He is willing to spend many lonely, cold nights and many long, hard days tending to his flock of sheep. And he does this for little respect from society and not much income – at least in Jesus’ day. Being a shepherd was not a glamorous gig…just the opposite. This is one reason it is so amazing that the first public announcement of the birth of the Messiah was to a group of shepherds!
Four times in verses 14-18 Jesus speaks of laying down His life for the sheep. Here are four important facts from this passage:
The Good Shepherd…
1. Knows His sheep, and they know Him. (vs. 14)
2. Knows the sheep intimately. (vs. 15)
3. Has various sheep; but they will become one flock. (vs. 16)
4. Has the right to lay down His life and take it back up again;
a command received from God. (vs. 18)
a command received from God. (vs. 18)
In contrast to the Good Shepherd is the hired hand. In verses 12-13, we learn four things about this employee.
The hired hand…
1. Does not own the sheep; so he doesn’t have a sense of protecting
His own. (vs. 12a)
His own. (vs. 12a)
2. Sees the wolf (dangers) coming; abandons the sheep and flees.
(vs. 12b)
(vs. 12b)
3. Allows the wolf to snatch and scatter the sheep. (vs. 12c)
4. Does not care about the sheep. (vs. 13)
Each person has a choice: follow the Good Shepherd (join His flock!), or trust the hired hand. Doesn’t seem like a hard decision to me! How about for you?
Jesus offers to each person a relationship with Him as the Good Shepherd. How tragic, not just in this dangerous life but for all of eternity, when someone refuses His saving relationship.
Almost as tragic is when a Christian refuses to embrace Jesus as the Good Shepherd and chooses instead to shepherd himself or herself. Really? We’re sheep…sheep aren’t bright and they get lost so easily; wondering away as they graze. Do you really trust yourself more than the One who willingly lay down His life for you? Does that seem wise?
Choose the Good Shepherd. Experience green pastures with flowing streams of water and a life of abundance. Trust Him, and He will shepherd you all the home!
Additional Thoughts:
I made one statement and listed four important facts about the Good Shepherd. I want to examine each more closely.1
The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
He willingly makes the ultimate sacrifice. Other shepherds might risk their lives for the sheep as David did in fighting wild animals; but they would never intentionally die for the sheep. This sacrifice, only the Good Shepherd will do.
The shepherd does not die for his sheep to serve as an example, throwing himself off a cliff in a grotesque and futile display while bellowing, “See how much I love you!” No, the assumption is that the sheep are in mortal danger; that in their defense the shepherd loses his life; and by his death they are saved. That, and that alone, is what makes him the good shepherd. (D.A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, p. 386)
This passage clearly teaches the Substitutionary Atonement for sin, the supreme sacrifice of Calvary…Jesus’ death to allow the sheep to live.
The Good Shepherd knows His sheep, and they know Him; He knows them intimately and perfectly.
What a comparison! The Good Shepherd knows the sheep in the same way the Father knows the Son; and the sheep know the Good Shepherd in the same way the Son knows the Father!
The Good Shepherd has other sheep, but only one flock.
Who are these other sheep? Some are Gentile believers; non-Jewish converts to Christ. All the sheep will become one flock because they follow one shepherd. This is a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ.
The Good Shepherd has total authority, received from God.
Jesus said in advance that He would lay down His life willingly, and at the time the Father required it. Substitutionary Atonement is the heart of the gospel message:
All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.
(Isaiah 53:6)
(Isaiah 53:6)
Each of us should remember that there are other shepherds in this world; the hired hands as well as the thieves and robbers. Zechariah made it clear that they exist while pronouncing their coming judgment and doom:
Woe to the worthless shepherd who leaves the flock! A sword will be on his arm and on his right eye! His arm will be totally withered and his right eye will be blind. (Zechariah 11:17)
With Jesus as our Good Shepherd, we are safe and secure in His flock!
1 Parts of this section taken from: Gangel, Kenneth O.; Max Anders, gen. ed. Holman New Testament Commentary: John (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), pg. 197-199.
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