John, in his Gospel, emphasizes the seven I AM statements of Jesus.
His third, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."
John 10:9 NIV
Many sheep pens did not have a gate so a true shepherd would lay his body down across the opening to protect his flock from wandering off, while at the same time blocking anything dangerous from entering in.
Jesus healed a man who was blind from birth. The man was brought before the Pharisees to explain what happened. He knew it was a miracle, and so did they, but because of their own blindness they refused to accept it and threw the man out of the temple. When Jesus found him, He essentially told him not to listen to them because they were thieves and robbers. They didn't enter through the gate, they instead climbed over the fence—they are not really the shepherds, I AM. (See John 9-10:1-10)
"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." John 10:11 NIV
We talked a lot about sheep last time. They are needy, helpless actually. They need a shepherd; but not just any shepherd.
Jesus' love is sacrificial, then and now, He lays down His life for His sheep. This offends many, then and now. But why? I know this is a loaded question that seems to have a layer of answers, however, I believe it can all be boiled down to one—Pride. Pride says it doesn't need anyone to lead, so the very indication of a needed shepherd becomes offensive.
I know because this is where I lived for a very long time. To my defense, I had no idea what a shepherd was to a sheep. With blind eyes opened, it would be kind of senseless, don't you think, to reject the Good Shepherd who would go as far as to lay down His life for me?
It can be difficult, I know, to accept that that kind of love is actually real? Especially after living any amount of time in this world. God gave us free will, and free will, well, is free will. It can be beautiful or it can be pretty brutal, depending on the person and how they choose to use it. As I say often, take a look outside your window. I often wonder what stops people short of accepting God's invitation? Do you think maybe it's fear or self-righteousness? Perhaps a false understanding of who He is—or a comfortable numb, or shame, or guilt? And then there is a definite possibility that they've been misled by someone in disguise.
The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. John 10:11-13 NIV
An employee defends the sheep to a certain point because they do not belong to him. His responsibility goes only so far, and according to Jesus, it doesn't include wolves. But what about the Good Shepherd?
Well, He tells us again to be sure we know—
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 14:14-16 NIV
Jesus is a relational, personal Shepherd. He invites each of us into relationship with Him. I am so glad He is a shepherd, because I am a sheep. As hard as I've tried to have peace, it's just not possible without Him. I mean, maybe for a little while, but true peace comes from the surety of heaven. I know I've been in some scary, and dark, and even dangerous places in my life; many of which I've tried to navigate on my own. I can't hold a candle to a wolf, but He can, and He wouldn't have it any other way.
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:17-18 NIV
I love that! Jesus's life wasn't taken from Him. He willingly laid it down by submitting it to the will of the Father. Sin has a debt that needs to be paid. You can try to pay it yourself with an unattainable perfection, or you can rest in the fact that Jesus paid it for you. There is no third option. Whether we believe it or not, each of us will stand before a holy and perfect God regarding our sin. There is a choice though, God made sure of it. It is simple, yet profound—Him or you. Jesus was not forced and neither are you.
The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” John 10:24-30 NLT
They all had a choice. Some picked up stones to kill Him (vs31); while others tried to arrest Him (vs39); and then there were those who followed Him, and believed (vs41-42).
Jesus is the Gate for the sheep. He is the Good Shepherd who tends to them in every way. Be careful though, He doesn't take kindly to wolves.
Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)
If you are His, you know it. If you're not, how come?
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