The passage that we're
about to begin studying, finishes up our Lord's confrontation with
the Pharisees, following their excommunication of the once blind man
from the synagogue. And we'll see, that Jesus didn't back down from
the task of revealing their true identities, and contrasting their
unfaithfulness with His own trustworthiness. And we have seen this
already, in verses 1-10, where they are depicted as strangers in vs.
5, thieves and robbers in vss. 12, 13, while Jesus speaks of Himself
as the Door of the Sheep in vss. 7 & 9, and as the Good Shepard
in vss. 11 & 14.
Now, the shepards
referred-to here were the shepards of Israel, but by casting this
poor sheep out of the synagogue for doing what was right and refusing
to do what was wrong, they had shown to him, to the crowd and to
Jesus, exactly what kind of spirit they were filled-with; and this
is just one example. In them, and in their behaviour, the prophecyof
Ezekiel 34, was being fulfilled. It would be good to read the entire
chapter, but let's just check out the first four vss., to start
with...(please read). This was a prophecy concerning the eventual
state in which Israel would find herself, under the selfish
leadership of the religious elite. But then Ezekiel goes on to
prophesy of the True Shepard of Israel, the Good Shepard and the Door
of the Sheep...read vss. 11-12, 15-16 and 30-31. And this is not the
only figure of the Shepard in the Old Testament, although we won't
take the time to do a survey.
Now the first few words of
Jn. 10.11 give us the fifth usage by Jesus, of the words, "I am"
in the Gospel of John, which serve to define His relationship with,
for example His unity with Father God..."I am the Good Shepard".
Now the word "good" is, to us a very common one..."that
is very good"..."that was a good meal"..."she is
a good mother", and so on, and it's no less common throughout
the Word of God, being used about 600 times in all its contexts. I
guess that it's as scriptural a word as you're likely to find.
The first use of the word
"good", in the the New Testament is in Matthew
3.10..."Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn
down and cast into the fire". The first time it's used in our
Gospel of John is in Jn. 2.10, at the wedding feast..."Every man
sets forth the good wine at the beginning...but you have kept the
good wine til now". So the word "good", in this
context is clearly, what every one of us should be, in Jesus! He
said of Himself..."I am the Good Shepard", and He would
like to say of us..."These are My good sheep...the excellent
sheep...sheep worth dying for! And as the Good Shepard, I have a
calling on Me"; do you have a calling on you?? Jesus identifies
Himself as a shepard called, appointed and sent by God, with the care
of His sheep as His own, very personal and solemn responsibility...a
Shepard worth following/sheep worth dying for! You know, the
Saviour, at this point in the Gospel of John was very close to the
point of "giving His life for the sheep". That had been
the real announcement of God by the prophets concerning His Christ,
and He lived up to His calling. What an example for us today, who
also have a calling to live up-to.
But...but...he that is a
hireling...(read vs. 12). Now keep in mind that the hireling does
not own the sheep, and as such, his concern for them is in no way
equal to that of the Good Shepard, or the Door, or the Proprietor of
the sheep. But we need to be careful not to interpret Jesus' use of
the figure, carelessly, because it is not the mere act of the giving
and receiving of a pay cheque, that makes one a hireling; it is the
love of the hire more that the work; soley for the sake of the hire.
What Jesus is saying, is
that we don't need to be concerned with trying to identify the
hireling, because eventually the hireling will identify himself! He
is a mercenary; he's either only there for the money, or perhaps the
prestige that goes with the job. So, when he sees the wolf coming,
he flees, because as we see in vs. 13, and as we have already
stated..."he cares not for the sheep". Now this is a very
profound principle, when you think of it. And that is, a man does
what he does because of what he is; when the testing comes he reveals
what kind of stuff he is made-of. Your conduct will come out of the
strength of your character; your allegiance to the fellowship that is
the church, will come out of the strength of your character, and your
allegiance to Jesus will come out of the strength of your
character...that is, whose you really are, after all! By our fruits
we are known. What kind of juice comes out when you are squeezed?
It's not true, and we know it's not, that it's the clothes that make
the man, because he may be the wolf, in sheep's clothing; or even
worse, dressed like a shepard!
You know, in this parable
the sheep may never have known this hireling for who he really was,
if it were not for the wolf. You see, we should be grateful for the
time of testing, because the false shepards are out there, just like
the wolves are (Acts 20.29...to the elders of the church at
Ephesus..."For I know this, that after my departing, grievous
wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flesh"). I
find this all very searching.
Now as I've said before, I
know practically nothing about sheep or their care, in the literal
sense, but I have made some observations that seem to relate pretty
well to us, who are spiritual sheep, and that is, that sheep are
generally harmless, they are helpless and they are hapless (not
hopeless!) ...and I think that pretty much describes the average
Christian...caught up with the world and oblivious to the snare of
the devil. That's precisely why we need a Shepard who is worthy of
his hire! And thank you Jesus, You are exactly the Shepard we need.
Just look at His resume, there in vss. 14-16...He knows His sheep and
His sheep know Him; and He is willing to die for the sheep, and He
brings all His sheep safely to the fold, from every quarter! Now
there's a Shepard you can depend on!
Just consider the theology
of vs. 16..."and there shall be one fold, and one Shepard"...that
is, one flock under the same Keeper...no more Catholicism, no more
Judaism and no more any other "ism". According to the very
scriptures He has already broken down "the middle wall of
partition" between us and them, so to speak. There is simply
the whole family of God, conceived in the mind of God from eternity
past.
And then..."they
shall hear and obey". Now there's a prophecy worth waiting-on!
The work that the Father gave the Son will be completed, regardless
of the stubbornness of those Pharisees, or the wiles of Satan. What
a day that will be!
Notice vs. 17..."Therefore
does My Father love Me..."; that is, because His obedience was
"unto the cross". Just as we see there in the next verses,
His death wasn't only necessary, but it was voluntary! Jesus was not
one of the harmless, helpless sheep, remember; He is the Good and the
True Shepard Who laid down His life for the sheep; faithful in birth,
faithful in life, faithful in death and best and most of all,
faithful in resurrection...just as we heard Him prophesy in chapter
6.38. And as always...vss. 19-21...(please read). Very terrible is
the condition of man.
Notice it was "the
many" who described Jesus as a madman. But there were "others"
who had received even a small measure of light. They were a minority
group there that day, and I'm proud for sure, that He had even some
who were prepared to believe in Him. Won't you join that select
group?
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