John 10.1-21
As the sheep of His pasture, we should worship Jesus - the Shepherd of our souls.
Jesus talks about his relationship with his close followers. He portrays himself as the messianic shepherd and his disciples as ‘the sheep of his pasture’ (Psalm 100:3; Ezekiel 34:31). - Andreas Kostenberger
Psalm 100.3
Ezekiel 34.15-16
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God the Shepherd of His people. He is the Messianic Shepherd prophesied in the Old Testament and now revealed in the New Testament here in John 10. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for his sheep.
1. Jesus owns us; so we worship Him (verses 1-6).
Now envision the shepherd standing before a mixed flock and calling his sheep. Not only did his sheep recognize his voice, but they would recognize the name by which he called them and follow him. Palestinian shepherds used to give nicknames to their sheep. God called some of His closest servants, as well as Israel as whole, by name (Exodus 33:12,17; Isaiah 43:1).
Isaiah 40.11
Do you hear His voice calling you by name? Will you follow Him?
2. Jesus shepherds us; so we worship Him (verses 7-21).
Jesus - as the shepherd of our souls - is the door, the only way to enter the safety of the fold. He is the only means of receiving eternal life!
Jesus - as the shepherd of our souls - is the only way to the luxurious pasture of God’s security and nurture (a fulfillment of God’s promise to David in Psalm 23).
Do you experience the Lord as your Shepherd... Who leads you into green pastures and sets a table for you in the presence of your enemies?
Jesus - as the gate - provides us access to abundant life so that we are fat, contented sheep and so fulfills God’s promise in Psalm 118:20-24.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd by virtue of the fact that He lays down His life for us (verses 17-18)!
The cross, where Jesus lays down His life for us, is what qualifies Him to be the Good Shepherd (Heb 13:20).
Do you know that Jesus laid down His life for you?
Do you know Jesus as He knows the Father (vs. 14-15)?
Further Application
Jesus is the ultimate Shepherd…
Receive His care, His Shepherding of your soul today....
God wants to give some of you a deep sense of His sacrifice for you. He laid down His life for You! He laid down His life according to the Father’s will.
God wants to give some of you an intimacy with Him based on verses 14 & 15… will you let Him care for you?
For Caregroup this week:
How were you affected by this sermon?
How do you grow in your knowledge and experience of Jesus as the Shepherd of your soul?
How does this knowledge/experience affect you in trials? on a good day? when your future is uncertain? when people hurt you?
Do you need prayer this week? How can you apply these verses to your prayers - both petitions and thanksgivings?
