The “word pictures” of John chapter 10, those of sheep and shepherd, are allusions to several Old Testament Passages of Scripture.
Psalm 23 is an obvious example. But we must add Isaiah 53 to the list, called by one Bible teacher “the most important single chapter in the Bible!” Several Paragraphs in Zechariah as well. Like … “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.” (Zechariah 13:7, quoted by Jesus and applied to Himself in Mark 14:27.) But especially Ezekiel 34, virtually the whole chapter. Which contrasts Israel’s list of Bad shepherds with the Lord’s “Good Shepherd!”
Someone asked … How can Jesus be both the “Door of the Sheep” and the “Good Shepherd” simultaneously? Answer … As the Initiator and Medium of our salvation, He is the “DOOR!” Then as the Provider and Protector of the sheep in His fold, He is the “GOOD SHEPHERD!” (The Beginning and the End!)
Sheep are notoriously “dumb” animals, comparatively speaking. But one thing they can do, and do well, is “hear” their Shepherd’s Voice and then “follow” in His Steps!
In class we noticed Jesus’ (and John’s) emphasis on “hirelings,” men who do not care for the flock and tend them (even abusing them at times) only for the money involved, a paycheck. In so doing a verse in John’s longest Epistle came to mind.
Bear in mind, hirelings are also antichrists at heart! “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1 John 2:18-19
One last quote I wish I had included in the video class … “Thousands of sheep have died for their shepherds (in innumerable blood sacrifices in ancient Israel), but only ONE SHEPHERD has died for His sheep!” That’s Jesus!
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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