The Good Shepherd
I normally wake up on Sunday morning easily. My alarm clock goes off at 4 am and I spring out of bed. I can’t wait to finish my sermon preparation and to get my heart ready to bring the Word of God to the people of God for the glory of God. This morning it was difficult for me. I hit the snooze button on my alarm several times and was hesitant to get out of bed. The weight of the preaching exercise felt especially hard to bear today. It wasn’t that I am coming to our church sanctuary in an almost empty room. It wasn’t the challenge of explaining this text. It wasn’t even because I don’t want to preach. It was because of the weight of the Word and how important this Word is during this season.
Life is not normal, and life will not be normal for a while. There is a growing sense of fear and anxiety. As a nation, we may have been ready for 2 weeks of isolation and quarantine, but 2 months…6 months. I realized my task this morning when that alarm clock went off was: “Pastor, give a word to encourage the people that will strengthen and sustain them during these days. Give them something that gives them hope”. It felt like an impossible task at 4 am. And then I had to remind myself that though I am a shepherd of the sheep, I also am just a sheep who serves the Good Shepherd. I was never designed to bear the weight of people’s eternal souls; for there is one who already has taken that weight and will be victorious.
Many of us are going to feel a growing weight in the coming days. A weight of financial stress, a weight of economic decisions at work, a weight of giving your children joy in quarantine, a weight of waiting for normalcy, a weight of grief for those struggling with this virus, a weight of guilt for not being able to be as involved in people’s lives as you want. We all are going to be carrying weights, and the weights are only going to increase. And like me at 4 am, you are going to want to hit the snooze button on your life and say “Go away. I am not ready to carry that weight today”. Friends, I pray that you will find comfort today as we look to the One who will get us through this as individuals, as families, as a church, as a nation and as a world. I am going to encourage you for the next 30 minutes to all those who are weary and heavy laden, who are weighed down with a growing unbearable weight, to come with me to Jesus Christ who is the Good Shepherd, who has, who is, and who will, shepherd us now and forever.
Hired Hand (John 10:12-13)
The gospel of John is concerned with the weightiness of issues. John is concerned with your eternal soul. The human life was never meant for a mere 80 to 90 years. We were meant for a much longer existence. The Bible speaks of life everlasting. The human soul is eternal. It is never ending. John writes in 20:30-31,
[30] Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; [31] but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John’s goal for this book was that you would have life. Not merely a better earthly life, but an everlasting life. And the only way for you to have an everlasting life is to believe in Jesus Christ. He wrote this book to convince you based on the evidence of his miracles (also called signs in his book) and his words that he was the promised Savior of the world, the Son of God.
John provides his readers with 7 signs to prove Jesus is the Son of God and 7 “I am” statements. In Exodus 3, God gives his name to Moses, telling him to tell the Israelites that His name was “I am.” Jesus makes 7 statements that John records to help his readers understand that Jesus is one and the same with the “I am” who spoke in the burning bush. Seven is a number of completeness and perfection in the Bible. Jesus has already said, “I am the bread of life….I am the light of the world….I am the door of the sheep…and today…I am the good shepherd.” Each statement can stand on their own, and yet, each statement collectively means the same thing. Jesus is the “I am” of the Old Testament. Jesus is God.
In the previous section, Jesus introduces a contrast with the one who goes in through the Gate and the one who is a thief who tries to enter another way. As he contrasted the door and thieves in the first section, he contrasts the Good Shepherd with a hired hand in this section. He is teaching us why we can trust him especially during trials.
Verses 12-13, “[12] He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. [13] He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”
Let us notice a few things. First, obviously, the hired hand is not a shepherd. There is a distinct difference between the shepherd and the hired hand as there is a distinct difference between the father of his children and a babysitter. The hired hand will provide some direction for the sheep but only to a certain point. The hired hand will flee once things become difficult.
Second, there will be trouble for the sheep. There are wolves who want to snatch and shatter the sheep. Thirdly, we see the underlying motivation of the hired hand, he cares nothing for the sheep. He is motivated not in love for the sheep, but in love for a paycheck. If the motivation is a paycheck, there will always be limits for what you are willing to do for that money. Friends, wolves can come in many disguises. They may come looking like shepherds, but are really false teachers. Jesus said in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” Wolves may be anything that is coming to attack and threaten the sheep; to snatch and to scatter them. Wolves come to divide and conquer; or, as in the analogy Jesus gave us, to lie, kill and destroy. What are the wolves for you during this season? What is threatening your safety and your security of the sheepfold?
I think the greatest threat facing many of us today is thinking that our Shepherd is a mere hired hand. The evil one will come in and try to make us believe that we are under attack with no one there to protect us: “Where is God? Why has he forgotten me? Does he not love me? Why would he allow this to happen?”
All wolves want to snatch your trust from God and scatter you from his presence. Jesus is the exact opposite of a hired hand for he knows the threats that are coming, he sees the wolves and steps in front of the danger. Take comfort today in the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the protection and the security of his sheep.
Good Shepherd (John 10:11;14-15)
Verse 11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Verse 14-15, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
Regardless of the weight you feel in your life today from the threats that are coming at you, you can be confident if you put your trust in the Good Shepherd. First, the shepherd is good. In the Bible, good is perfect. Our shepherd is perfect and always does what is right. Our shepherd always acts in our best interests even if we do not fully realize it. How many times has God carried us through something, and we can only see his purposes as we look back? I have been spending some time reading through John Flavel’s Mystery of Providence this week which is a series of expositions on Psalm 57:2, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” He shows how God works to perform his purposes in every aspect of your life. In our vocation, family, physical appearance, intellect, geography, etc. Beloved, God will fulfill his purposes for you. Why? Because he is the Good Shepherd. A shepherd knows the state of his flock and cares for them. A shepherd knows how hard to push his sheep. He knows when they need to rest. He knows when thorns need to be pulled from their hooves and when their coats need to be trimmed, and where the safest place is for them to sleep.
Second, he knows how to care for us because he knows us. One of the greatest things in all of life is to be known by another person. This is one of the gifts of marriage. God gives you another person, and through the course of a lifetime truly gets to know you. That is a window into God’s knowledge of us. He knows every single thing about you. He knows your fears and your insecurities. He knows your sins and your shame. He knows the things done in secret; both good and bad. He knows everything about you AND he uses that knowledge to love you. He always is working for your good even in the midst of danger.
Thirdly, he takes care of the danger. The shepherd steps in front and deals with the wolf. I don’t think we realize on a daily basis how much danger is out there. I think one of things that is happening because of this virus is that we are forced to think of its danger. And I find myself trying to minimize its danger all the time. I think about something I want to do and people I want to see…and then I have to remind myself that everything that is happening right now is because there is a real, a very real danger out there. If you need a visual picture of the real danger of wolves, I’d recommend you watch the trailer of the movie The Grey. It is about a group of men who try to survive a plane crash in the mountains while being hunted by wolves. Wolves are vicious, dangerous creatures. We often minimize the danger we face. We do not want to think how dangerous it truly is, but friends, our danger is far worse than we realize.
And it is only when we realize our danger when we can rejoice that our Good Shepherd takes the danger for us. What is our danger? Our danger is facing the wrath of God and the punishment for our sin in hell. The Bible says we deserve hell for our sins. We rebelled against a good and holy God and chose to live our own way. The wages of our sin, what we earn for our disobedience is God’s wrath in a literal hell. We don’t want to think of it, we want to minimize and maybe even forget it, but ignoring or minimizing the danger does not remove it. It is there. And our shepherd, our Good Shepherd comes to take the danger for us by laying his life down for the sheep.
Jesus takes the danger head on by laying down his life for the sheep. Jesus sees the danger coming and knows the only way to protect his sheep is to lay down his life. Jesus is talking about the cross. Jesus was perfect. He committed no sin. He never did anything wrong. He was innocent and laid down his life in the place of sinners. He died in our place. He died to pay the penalty of everyone who would repent or turn from their sins and trust in him. The Bible says that Jesus made peace through his blood shed on the cross for sinners. And he did not just lay it down, but he took it up again through his resurrection from the dead.
If you have never trusted in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, let me encourage you to do so today. There is a very real danger in your life. The very real danger is far worse than contracting the Coronavirus. The greatest danger you will ever face is the justice for your sin from Almighty God. And that danger has been paid for by the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep. Jesus offers you his life for your life today. Will you trust him? Will you allow him to be your Good Shepherd? Jesus is only the shepherd to those who know his voice and follow him.
Beloved, how comforting is it to know that Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd. He was willing to die for us. And if he was willing to die for us and experience hell on the cross, he will take us through any danger that comes our way. He will fulfill his purpose for us. As in the great Hymn of the faith,
Oh, that day when freed from sinningI shall see Thy lovely faceClothed then in the blood washed linenHow I'll sing Thy wondrous graceCome, my Lord, no longer tarryTake my ransomed soul awaySend Thine angels now to carryMe to realms of endless day
What a promise, but a promise not only for us…
Other Sheep (John 10:16-18)
One of God’s purposes in this season of total global lockdown is to save his sheep. Hear Jesus’ words, John 10:16–18,
[16] “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. [17] For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. [18] No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
The goal is one flock with one shepherd. This means that there is only one way into the sheepfold: that is through the door, the gate and the Good Shepherd. The only way to be safe is to come through Jesus Christ who lays down his life and takes it up again. Jesus is speaking about what will happen in his coming death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave. We look back and know that he has already died and the grave is already empty.
And he has done this for those who are yet to believe. It would be a travesty for the church if we were only concerned with our own safety and our own souls during this season. We must be concerned with our own souls. We must allow God to teach us and refine us during this season. We must allow the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to grow a deeper trust and love for Jesus during these days, but that is not all God wants of us. He did not call us merely to be safe in the sheepfold but to help call others as well.
Now is the time to be bold in your faith and ask people if they know Jesus. These are difficult times, but God wants to use this difficult time to help people realize there is a very real danger out there and He is the only safety from it. Reach out to old friends. Invite family members to read the Bible together or to watch our service online. Pray more fervently for your neighbors. Do not forsake this time. But the weight of people’s salvation is not up to you; it never has been and it never will be. Did you hear what Jesus said: “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.”? This is up to him. We just have the privilege of playing a part.
Divided People (John 10:19-21)
There was a division among people who saw Jesus give sight to a man born blind and who heard the living God speak directly to them. We know there will be division when we speak of Christ. John 10:19–21,
[19] There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. [20] Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” [21] Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
“He has a demon and is insane. Why listen to him?” This will be the response of many. They will discount our words and look at us as insane and possibly even demonic. If you think about how many people speak of Christians today, this is not as far-fetched as it seems. Christians are looked at as bigots and hatemongers for believing in the claims of Christ and for living our lives based on Christ’s words. But there will be others when they are confronted with the truth who will say, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” This sermon is connected to the sign that Jesus just performed in giving sight to the man born blind. People may not see a man born blind receive their sight, but they will see people who lived blind lives like you and I walking in the light of the gospel.
Last night at the dinner table we were talking about the changed lives of Christians, and I told my children that I used to use bad language. Their eyes got really big as if it was unbelievable! Praise God it was unbelievable to them, but my friends who used to know me back then have to realize that I am different. Talking to a pastor friend this week who has increased his social media presence, like many of us because of this pandemic, said he is talking to friends from high school who are shocked saying “you are a pastor?”
Take advantage of this time. Reach out to people. We know some will reject us and look at us as insane, but others will believe.
Eternal Security (John 10:22-30)
Jesus continues teaching what has been a central theme in John’s gospel that he and the Father are one. I have said this often as I have been teaching this book, but Jesus has made it very clear that he is God. He is one with the father. Some say that Jesus never claimed to be God, but instead it was his followers that added that claim later. When you read his words and see the reaction to his words by his hearers, it is very difficult to believe that. John 10:22–24, “[22] At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, [23] and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. [24] So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Everyone was asking Jesus the same question: “Are you the Christ? The Messiah? Are you the Savior of the World? The Son of God?” And he had already told them plainly and he had already shown them plainly. There are many people who want just a little more information. They want just a few more details. They say they want more information and details because they want to make a decision, but the reality is that many don’t actually want to make a decision for Christ. They don’t want to make a decision because they don’t want their life to actually change. They want to kick the proverbial can down the road so they can prolong the decision. Jesus knows this and confronts them in it.
John 10:25–26, “[25] Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, [26] but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.” Jesus has made it clear with his works. He has fed the 5,000. He has opened the eyes of the blind. He has borne witness about how he and the Father are one and yet they still don’t believe. They don’t need more information, but they need to analyze the information they already have. He states it clearly, “You don’t want to believe.” The reason is that they are not his sheep.
I wonder how many of you listening have heard about Jesus before and have been like these people who just wanted more information before you decided. Friends, do not put off the decision any longer. It is easy to not make a decision isn’t it? It is easier to let time pass and not pull the trigger, but we all know that not choosing is still choosing. One day you will stand before God and the decision had better be made. We show we belong to Jesus by believing his words today.
After confronting his hearers who don’t believe, he confronts his people who do believe, John 10:27-30,
[27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. [30] I and the Father are one.”
They asked him to tell them plainly if he was the Christ and he does with the last sentence, “I and the Father are one.” They got what they asked for, but not before we got one of the most encouraging truths for the believer. We are safe from the wolves. Nothing will take us from Christ. No one will snatch us from the Father’s hand. If you belong to Christ, you cannot be lost. The Father has given the sheep to Christ and they belong to him. The Father is greater than all, stronger than all, more powerful than all; therefore no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
How comforting is that? We cannot fail. I was reading Luke’s account of the passion this week and read how Jesus looked at Peter after Peter denied him for the third time. The text says, Luke 22:61–62,
[61] And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” [62] And he went out and wept bitterly.
Peter felt the full shame of his denial. He wept bitterly. He sobbed partly because he denied Christ and partly, I believe, because he felt he had lost Christ. But only a few verses earlier, Jesus tells Peter, Luke 22:31–32,
[31] “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, [32] but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
“Satan wanted you Peter, but he can’t have you because you belong to me. I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” Beloved, there will be days and moments when we as Christians, like Peter, deny Christ with our actions. We may grieve the Holy Spirit of God and fall into sin, but if you belong to Christ, your faith will not fail, for Christ is praying for us. Hebrews 7:25,
[25] Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
We will fail, but we will not fail ultimately, for Jesus is praying for us today. You will be alright. Trust him. As we close, we see two responses to Jesus.
Stoning Truth (John 10:31-39)
We see those who wanted, or should I say demanded, if Jesus was the Christ, who after Jesus told them the truth, wanted to kill him. John 10:31-39,
[31] The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. [32] Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”
That is a great question isn’t it? They are stoning the truth because they don’t want to believe. [33] The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” They make it clear that they believed he was claiming to be God and they rejected that claim.
[34] Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? [35] If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—[36] do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? [37] If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; [38] but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
What do they do with Jesus’ words? “[39] Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.” They wanted to arrest him, but it was not his time. These Pharisees gave us an example of what not to follow, but there are others who heard the same words and saw the same signs and gave a different example to follow.
Believing Truth (John 10:40-42)
John 10:40–42
[40] He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. [41] And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” [42] And many believed in him there.
They believed in him. Why? They looked at the evidence and it became clear.
Friends, I don’t know where many of you are today in your walk with Jesus, but I would plead with you to believe. If you don’t know Jesus, look at his miracles and listen to his words and believe. If you know Jesus, but doubt his love for you, look at how he is more than a hired hand; he is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for you. He loves you and can be trusted. If you know Jesus, but doubt you can be forgiven from your sin, look at Peter as an example and hear Jesus’ words again, “I will give them eternal life and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
I don’t know where you are today, but I know this, that Jesus bears the weight for my soul. He is my Good Shepherd who has laid down his life for me. I pray that you would know that as well. Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd…I lay my life down for the sheep.” Dear friends, be comforted with those words today.