In the Beginning: The Book of John

(John 10:1-10[HCSB])

1 “I assure you: Anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the door but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The doorkeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. 5 They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don’t recognize the voice of strangers.”

6 Jesus gave them this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them.

7 So Jesus said again, “I assure you: I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

Being Sheep

We often hear about sheep in rather unflattering terms, but they have an important story to tell. Far from being stupid, they are reliant upon their shepherd. As believers we say this is essential for abundant living. We can benefit from the simple model Jesus presents if, just for just a moment, we take self out of the equation and listen closely to our Shepherd’s voice.

The Good Shepherd:

1. Enters the sheep pen only by the gate –Jesus is the door by which His sheep enter and are protected from harm. The gatekeeper knows the Good Shepherd.

2. Knows His sheep by name, calls them, and leads them out they go out and find pasture and are saved from destruction.

3. The sheep recognize His voice all others are thieves and robbers who have come to steal, kill and destroy.

4. He goes ahead of the sheep which follow Him they are confident that they are safe and led away from places of darkness,the valleys … see Psalm 23.

5. He protects His sheep from predators—they are saved by Him and find green pastures. They have life and have it in abundance. Wolves are driven out.

6. The sheep never follow strangers; they run away the sheep instinctively know the gentle voice of love, safety, and protection. All sheep know this voice, and if they are lost He finds them.

Sheep are not foolish or stupid. On the contrary, they gravitate to the voice of strength and protection, peace and abundance.

Smart sheep!