SHEEPFOLD PARABLES: THE GOOD SHEPHERD
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Sheepfold Parables
a) The Sheepfold Parables in John chapter 10 contrast the Shepherd first to a stranger, then to a thief, and lastly to a hireling, and show how we must ensure that we follow him and not them.
b) John chapter ten contains parables that liken the kingdom of God to a sheepfold. Christ is the Shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice. He is also the door (or gate) of the sheepfold, and only through him can one enter God’s kingdom. It is a great mistake to follow any other shepherd or try to enter heaven by any other gate.
c) What is a Sheepfold?
i) A “Sheepfold” is a secure walled enclosure in which sheep are penned when not out to pasture in care of the shepherd. The sheepfold might be a permanent barn-like enclosure for shelter, an outdoor holding pen with stone walls, or a makeshift barricade of briars and crisscrossed pointed sticks. A single narrow opening was provided for entry and exit. If there was no secure door or gate, a keeper would guard the entrance or at night sleep across it. The purpose of the sheepfold was to keep the flock together, keep out wolves or dogs, and to make it difficult for thieves or vandals to steal or harm the sheep. A flock of sheep is a very valuable but vulnerable asset. A good shepherd knows and loves his sheep and guards them with his life against all predators. He keeps his flock together and fetches back any sheep that stray. A sheepfold was necessary for the protection of the flock.
2. The Good Shepherd
John 10:11
11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
a) The key verse in our study passage (John 10:1-30), is John 10:11 where Jesus says, "I am the good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Jesus compares the good shepherd to a stranger, to a thief, and to a hireling, and we shall note these comparisons shortly. The main idea is that only the shepherd has a full commitment to the sheep, and consequently has their full trust. The good shepherd will even lay down his life for the sheep, so much does he care about them.
b) Three times Jesus repeats the statement, "I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:11, 15, 17). This indicates that it is the point of emphasis in the sheepfold discourse. The third time Jesus elaborates on this statement. He tells us that he has the authority, a commandment from the Father, to lay down his life — and not only to lay it down but to take it up again.
c) Christ purchased the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28). He gave his all for the flock (the church). That is why the sheep will follow no one else, and why the sheep belong to him, and why he alone is entitled to call them "my sheep", and to call himself "the good shepherd".
d) The Jewish leaders incensed at the statement, "I am the good shepherd". The rest of the chapter (John 10:31-39) shows that they "took up stones again to stone him". What was making them so angry? Well, Psalm 23 was one of their favorite Psalms, just as it is one of ours. The Psalm begins, "The Lord is my shepherd...". By calling himself the good shepherd Jesus was making himself out to be God, and he was not denying it, but rather clarifying it, because he ended his discourse with the plain statement, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30).
The End ...
1. Sheepfold Parablesa) The Sheepfold Parables in John chapter 10 contrast the Shepherd first to a stranger, then to a thief, and lastly to a hireling, and show how we must ensure that we follow him and not them.
b) John chapter ten contains parables that liken the kingdom of God to a sheepfold. Christ is the Shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice. He is also the door (or gate) of the sheepfold, and only through him can one enter God’s kingdom. It is a great mistake to follow any other shepherd or try to enter heaven by any other gate.
c) What is a Sheepfold?
i) A “Sheepfold” is a secure walled enclosure in which sheep are penned when not out to pasture in care of the shepherd. The sheepfold might be a permanent barn-like enclosure for shelter, an outdoor holding pen with stone walls, or a makeshift barricade of briars and crisscrossed pointed sticks. A single narrow opening was provided for entry and exit. If there was no secure door or gate, a keeper would guard the entrance or at night sleep across it. The purpose of the sheepfold was to keep the flock together, keep out wolves or dogs, and to make it difficult for thieves or vandals to steal or harm the sheep. A flock of sheep is a very valuable but vulnerable asset. A good shepherd knows and loves his sheep and guards them with his life against all predators. He keeps his flock together and fetches back any sheep that stray. A sheepfold was necessary for the protection of the flock.
2. The Good Shepherd
John 10:11
11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
a) The key verse in our study passage (John 10:1-30), is John 10:11 where Jesus says, "I am the good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Jesus compares the good shepherd to a stranger, to a thief, and to a hireling, and we shall note these comparisons shortly. The main idea is that only the shepherd has a full commitment to the sheep, and consequently has their full trust. The good shepherd will even lay down his life for the sheep, so much does he care about them.
b) Three times Jesus repeats the statement, "I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:11, 15, 17). This indicates that it is the point of emphasis in the sheepfold discourse. The third time Jesus elaborates on this statement. He tells us that he has the authority, a commandment from the Father, to lay down his life — and not only to lay it down but to take it up again.
c) Christ purchased the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28). He gave his all for the flock (the church). That is why the sheep will follow no one else, and why the sheep belong to him, and why he alone is entitled to call them "my sheep", and to call himself "the good shepherd".
d) The Jewish leaders incensed at the statement, "I am the good shepherd". The rest of the chapter (John 10:31-39) shows that they "took up stones again to stone him". What was making them so angry? Well, Psalm 23 was one of their favorite Psalms, just as it is one of ours. The Psalm begins, "The Lord is my shepherd...". By calling himself the good shepherd Jesus was making himself out to be God, and he was not denying it, but rather clarifying it, because he ended his discourse with the plain statement, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30).
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