The Shepherd and His Sheep

“So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep…I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”” John 10:7, 9
In the parable of the Good Shepherd (found in John 10), Jesus draws a strong contrast against the current shepherds of Israel and the One and Only Good Shepherd. The contrast sits in how the Good Shepherd cares for his sheep. Using figurative language, Jesus implies He not only leads His sheep in and out of the sheepfold through the door, but that He is the door to the sheepfold. The good shepherd is seen in this parable as having a personal and intimate attachment with his own sheep, who respond to him.
 
The sheepfold is a place of security and safety for the sheep. The Israeli rural sheepfold would have been constructed of stacked stone walls, then topped with briers and thorns in order to create a barrier against animals and thieves. A small opening in the wall was used for entering and exiting the pen. A watchman or shepherd would remain in the opening overnight to guard the sheep. Anyone or anything that wanted to enter would have to go through this human doorway to get to the sheep. Unlike this human example, Jesus is not the door of the pen, but rather The Door for the sheep themselves.
 
As the Good Shepherd for His sheep, Jesus leads us in and out of the safety of the sheepfold. He is also The Door that opens the way to life and provision. Jesus is the legitimate way to access all things spiritual that lead to life and satisfaction. Keep in mind, this is a metaphor that helps us understand how much He cares for us, and that He is the only way for spiritual peace and fulfillment. 
 
How much does Jesus care? So much, that in John 10:11 He says, that as the Good Shepherd, He will lay down His life for the sheep.
 
Easter is not about colored eggs, egg hunts, or chocolate bunnies. Rather, it’s the celebration of the sacrificial act of our Good Shepherd, who laid down His life on the cross, took it up again in the Resurrection and became The Way unto life everlasting. Do you know the Good Shepherd? Are you experiencing the fullness of life that He offers? He knows your name, and He is calling. Will you answer Him?
 
Pastor Cary Wacker

Leave a Reply

^