Sermon Notes
Introduction
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He explains why. It is because He lays His life down for the sheep. The metaphor is of eternal significance. His sacrifice will bring forgiveness and a sense of belonging to the lost. Furthermore, Jesus knows His sheep and is known by them, and this relationship reflects His unity with the Father. He also gathers other sheep into one flock, and He rules them as the Good Shepherd. John 10:11: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep
1. Hired Hand
Jesus describes the hired hand and contrasts him with the true shepherd. The hired hand does not own the sheep, so his connection to them is weak. When the wolf comes, he sees the danger, and he runs away. The sheep are left unprotected and scattered by the wolf.
John 10:12-13: 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. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
2. Jesus Knows His Own
Jesus declares again that He is the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep personally, and they know Him in return. This knowledge is relational, and it is marked by trust and belonging.
John 10:14-15: 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.
3. Lost Sheep
Jesus speaks of sheep who are not part of the present fold. These sheep are not simply lost Israelites, because Jesus says they are not of this fold at all. They also represent Gentiles who are currently unbelievers but already belong to Him by divine purpose.
John 10:16: 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.
Application
- Let us place our trust in Christ rather than in human leaders who may fail or flee. This passage assures us that the Good Shepherd remains with His people in danger and suffering, and He never abandons His flock.
- Christ knows His sheep. If we are His sheep, then let us know Him through His word. Let us believe in the significance of why He laid His life for all who would believe. Remember that it is a personal knowledge not merely intellectual.
- Let us remember that Christ’s saving work reaches beyond our circle of influence. This passage calls us to share the gospel with confidence, trusting that the Shepherd is already calling His sheep.
Study Guide
- What actions and qualities does Jesus repeatedly attribute to Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-13)?
- How does Jesus describe the difference between the good shepherd and the hired hand, and what specific outcomes result (3 John 5-6)?
- What does Jesus say about the sheep who are not of this fold, and what will happen to them according to His words (John 10:16)?