Introduction

Jesus was explaining to a group of Pharisees how to identify a God-appointed spiritual leader. He was using an illustration of a shepherd coming to a sheepfold and calling his sheep, but those listening to Him did not understand what He was saying for some reason. At one level, His meaning was easily understood. Shepherds calling their sheep out of a sheepfold was a common occurrence in that day. However, it was obvious that Jesus meant His words to be interpreted as a parable (vs. 6). Each element contained a deeper meaning, so Jesus began to explain the critical aspects of His teaching. But as He did so, He added new details to His parable and moved on from talking about the requirements for good shepherds to talking about the requirement to become one of His sheep. Jesus is the door of the sheep. He lays down His life so that we can have eternal life. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He protects His sheep with His life and does not run away when the wolf comes. Finally, God provides us abundant life through our relationship with the Good Shephard.

Jesus, the Sacrifice (vs. 7-11)

• In the earlier illustration of the sheepfold (vs1-2), Jesus portrayed Himself as the true shepherd who entered by the door rather than breaking in another way.
• Then He declares Himself to be the “good shepherd” (vs11, 14).
• However, first He introduces Himself as “the door of the sheep.” In other words, people must come into God’s sheepfold through Him. It is through Him that people are saved, and it is through Him that people receive God’s care.
• If the “doorway” through which the true shepherd must pass is that He must die for God’s sheep, then the “doorway” through which God’s sheep must pass is the act of placing their faith in the death and resurrection of God’s true Shepherd.
• Israel’s history is full of false prophets, wicked kings, and men falsely claimed to be the Messiah. These people had tried to teach a way to God other than through the sacrifices that God ordained (v8).
• By contrast, Jesus came to lay down His life, thereby providing the one atoning sacrifice that the Father would accept for the sins of the world.
• Verse 11 holds the key to understanding this entire passage about the Good Shepherd. It contains two simple statements: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life on behalf of the sheep.”
• Jesus sacrificed Himself, but we must not just acknowledge Jesus and position ourselves outside the gate admiring Him as He lies in the doorway. It is not enough nor the same as going through the doorway.
• Being in love with the idea of Jesus is not the same as having a relationship with Jesus

Jesus, the Protector (vs. 12-13)

• At this point in His explanation of the shepherd and the sheep, Jesus introduced another figure: a person hired to guard the sheep.
• To explain why He was willing to die to save His sheep, Jesus contrasted Himself with someone who was not willing to die for the sheep. Hired shepherds run away when they see a wolf coming because they fear for their own life rather than the lives of the sheep.
• Jesus explained why He would not run from the cross: He was willing to die to protect His sheep because they belonged to Him.
• The faithful pastor will, as an under-shepherd, display the same characteristics as the Good Shepherd. They will sacrifice for the sheep, know the sheep, and be known by them. They will be a shepherd, not a hireling who does not care about the sheep. Of course, they can never hope to display these characteristics to the same extent as Jesus, but they should reflect His heart and His goal.
• It was assumed that wild animals (the wolf) or bandits (the thieves and robbers previously mentioned) would threaten the sheep.
• The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep: The bad shepherd (a hireling) will not defend the sheep and thinks the flock exists for his benefit, but the good shepherd lives and dies for the good of the sheep.
• The good shepherd sacrifices for the sheep (gives His life). The good shepherd knows his sheep (I know My sheep). We think of sheep as being all the same. The shepherd knows they are individuals with their own personalities and characteristics. The sheep know the good shepherd (and I am known by My own).

Jesus, the Provider (vs. 11, 14-15)

• When Jesus said, “I came so that they (God’s sheep) may have life, and they may have it abundantly” (literal), He was declaring that His death would make it possible for humans to be given eternal life regardless of whether they lived before or after His cross and resurrection.
• By adding the statement that His sacrifice would provide “abundant” life (more life than a person could possibly use), He was pointing to the glories of the new age (Eze 34:25-31). But since He has made it possible to experience a measure of those glories in this present age, His words encourage believers to expect an abundance of His presence in their daily lives, along with all the tangible blessings that His presence brings.
• Jesus said this to contrast His shepherd-like care with unfaithful and illegitimate leaders. They come to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. Jesus comes to bring life to His people.
• Jesus said the bond with His sheep is as deep as the bond between Himself and the Father. He said, “I know the ones that are Mine, and the ones that are Mine know Me in the same way as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father.”
• Jesus is saying that we can have intimacy with Him in this life. It reveals the astounding depth of relationship that He has made possible.
• Jesus wasn’t a hired servant tending someone else’s sheep; He was the true Shepherd rescuing His own so they could be with Him forever.
• What is abundant life? Abundant life isn’t an exceptionally long life. Abundant life isn’t an easy, comfortable life. Instead, abundant life is a life of satisfaction and contentment in Jesus.
• The meaning of abundant is plentiful. Abundant life sheep give honor to the Shepherd.
• People who live an Abundant life generally display the following traits:
o They have deep hope for their future (because they have a Good Shepherd)
o They have healthy relationships with people (because they understand Christ’s love at another level).
o They are infectious. People want to be around them (because they don’t live in fear of what will happen to them).
o They possess the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).
o They have an eternal perspective (because they know this isn’t the end).

Conclusion

Jesus came so that we might have abundant life. He came solely to sacrifice and lay down His life for us. That sacrifice was made so that Jesus could have a deep relationship with His sheep. As a part of this sacrifice, He provides protection for His sheep that allows us to live in the glory of His eternal riches, allowing those who join His sheepfold to live abundantly. Jesus does not promise us a problem-free life, but if we put our faith in His work on the cross, surrender our lives to His leadership, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, He has promised that we will live an abundant life.

Discussion questions

Describe Jesus’ sacrifice for you, personally.
How have you seen Jesus’ protection and provision in your life?
In what ways do you live abundantly? What are some things you feel challenged on in this area?