As we continue our study of the Gospel of John, we pick up at verse one of chapter 10. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle wrote:
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls them by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own he goes on ahead of them and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what He was telling them. John 10: 1-6
The Lord was in conversation with the Pharisees about seeing what was right about dealing with people – spiritually and physically, and about the fact that He was/is the Messiah.
As the Lord usually did, He moved the conversation into a place where it could be visualized. He began to teach using the example of sheep. What they needed, and what a shepherd could and should provide. Sheep, as do we, need to have a shepherd. Left alone, they usually wind up in places that are unsafe,- open to attack and harm.
The point Jesus was making to the Pharisees is about the relationship the good shepherd should have with the sheep. The sheep will come to know the shepherd so well, that they know his voice and know it is one they can trust. The good shepherd will know the sheep so well that he gives each one a name. They may all look the same to someone else, but he knows, and cares for, and loves each one individually.
I love the fact that we are one of His flock, that He knows us intimately and of course calls us by name, and leads us, and for the way He meets our every need. I also love the fact that He expects us to grow and be transformed into a shepherd ourselves. We see that as the Lord talked with Peter after His resurrection. You will remember how Peter had failed Him on the night He was arrested, and denied even knowing Him. But the Lord wanted Him to know He was forgiven, and what He wanted him to do going forward. He said to Peter, “Simon, son of John do you love Me more than these?” “Yes Lord,” he said, “You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15
Let us receive His Love as one of His Lambs. Let us “feed His lambs” with the Love of the Great Shepherd that flows from us as we become a shepherd for Him.