John 10:11-18 The Good Shepherd
Jesus continues to speak of himself as the good shepherd, an image familiar to his audience. True followers, he has said, recognize the good shepherd. “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved … and find pasture … the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have (spiritual) life, and have it abundantly” (vv. 9-10). Now he says that he is the “good” (v.11, i.e. real, proper) “shepherd”, the one who dies for his “sheep”, his flock. But the “hired hand” (v.12) does not care enough to save the sheep from the “wolf”. (Old Testament prophets spoke of leaders of Israel in these terms, so Jesus probably speaks of them here – shepherds who are not worthy of the name.) Jesus’ relationship to people is like the Father’s to him (v.15). Who are the “other sheep” (v.16)? We can only guess: perhaps they are non-Jews. They will have equal status with those who already follow Jesus, as part of one Church. then (v.18) Jesus has been given the authority to choose to die and the power to rise again from the dead. He is in control of his own death and resurrection.
© 1996-2024 Chris Haslam
.Blessings, Reverend Lyndon
Prayer of the Day
Jesus, good shepherd of the sheep, by whom the lost are sought and guided into the fold: feed us and we shall be satisfied, heal us and we shall be whole, and lead us that we may be with you, where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.