In John 9, Jesus encounters a man born blind and miraculously restores his sight. Rather than celebrating what Jesus had done, the Pharisees were so focused on proving Jesus wrong that they missed what Jesus had set right.

The man famously says, “Whether Jesus is a sinner or not, I don’t know, but one thing I do know is I was blind but now I see” (John 9:25).

His testimony ends up getting him thrown out of the synagogue and out of the ability to worship God. It's in this context that Jesus begins teaching about the sheep, the gate, and the Good Shepherd.

Jesus is the gate

In John 10:1–10, Jesus describes a sheep pen, a shepherd who enters through the gate, and thieves and robbers who try to enter another way. The sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd and follow him because they know his voice.

When the religious leaders fail to understand what Jesus is saying, he makes it clear:

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9)

Jesus is the gate. He is the way to eternal life. Lots of people say otherwise. Many claim that there are all kinds of ways to access God's Kingdom, but Jesus states, “I am the gate.”

We often think of gatekeeping in a negative sense. It's deciding who gets in, who stays out, and what it takes to belong. But not all gatekeeping is bad. We have locks on our doors and windows. To board an airplane, we need a ticket and must go through security.

The problem isn't that there is a gate. The problem is when people who aren't the gate start acting as if they are.

Consider the blind man Jesus had just healed. The Pharisees barred him from worship because they didn't like his answers to their questions. The very people who should have been rejoicing with him rejected him. Rather than getting curious about who Jesus was and what God was doing before their eyes, they were blindly fixated on gatekeeping a door that was not theirs to guard.

We can see this happen today when well-meaning Christians or church leaders add extras to what Jesus teaches, making it harder for people to come to Jesus than Jesus does. Sometimes it's behavior: “Once you act the right way.” Sometimes it's political convictions: “Once you vote a certain way.” Other times it's appearance, knowledge of Scripture, or traditions: “That's not how we do things here.”

Jesus makes it clear that he is the gate, and he is the one who offers salvation.

The thief comes to take. Jesus comes to give.

Jesus continues with a striking contrast:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

Throughout Scripture, we see the difference between those who seek to exploit others and those who genuinely care for them. The thief is interested in what can be taken. Jesus comes to give life.

The enemy's objective is to steal from you, kill your body, and ultimately destroy your soul, keeping you from the eternal gift of life Jesus offers through faith in him.

How? Through distraction, worry, envy, greed, pride, shame, guilt, addiction, and countless other things that can consume our attention and pull us away from God.

Maybe you've spent years worrying about things that were never worth your time or energy, things that were never meant for you to carry or control. Perhaps you've experienced the real pain of being exploited by someone. You've had something stolen, you've been taken advantage of, or you've been hurt by someone who should have cared for you.

The thief comes to take. Jesus comes to give.

Jesus isn't interested in exploiting the sheep for his own benefit. He offers the very thing the thieves cannot give: life, and life to the full.

And he goes even further to explain just how much he cares for those who belong to him.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd

In John 10:11, Jesus makes another of his seven “I AM” statements recorded in John's Gospel:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

To the Israelites, the relationship between a shepherd and sheep meant more than simply caring for animals. It was also a picture of the relationship between a king and his people. A good king and a good leader look after the people they have been entrusted to care for.

The religious leaders confronting Jesus had been entrusted with the spiritual care of God's people, helping them connect with God in worship and holy living. But they were missing the mark.

Centuries earlier, the prophet Ezekiel had spoken against the shepherds of Israel who cared only for themselves. They failed to strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured, bring back the strays, or search for the lost (Ezekiel 34:1–6).

Yet God also promised that he would save his flock and place one shepherd over them who would care for them (Ezekiel 34:22–24).

Jesus declares that he is that Good Shepherd.

Unlike hired hands who run at the first sight of danger, Jesus doesn't abandon his sheep when the wolf comes. He knows his sheep by name, and they follow his voice. He leads them to good pasture, providing everything necessary for life.

It sounds a lot like the familiar words of Psalm 23:

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23:1–3)

How comforting is it to know that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows and cares deeply for you? Your every need, your every desire, your every fear. The things that make you you. He loves you and knows you, even your very name.

The thief sees you as someone to exploit. Jesus sees you as someone worth dying for.

And this invitation isn't exclusive to one people group. Jesus says in John 10:16:

“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”

Jesus is expanding the invitation to Jew and Gentile alike. His message is inclusive of anyone who would say yes and follow him. This is the Church today, people across generations and around the world who have heard the call of Jesus and believed in his name.

This invitation is not something to withhold from others. We are called to joyfully tell people about this incredibly good shepherd named Jesus, who came to earth so that we might experience the fullness of life he promises to those who believe.

And Jesus makes one final promise about what he will do for his sheep:

“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life, only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” (John 10:17–18)

Jesus willingly lays down his life so that we might have eternal life. No one forces him or coerces him to do so. He takes upon himself the sin of the world and the suffering of the cross, and he takes up his life again, just as he said he would.

The Good Shepherd knows his sheep, cares for his sheep, and willingly gives his life for them.

Have you heard his call? Have you answered the invitation?

Jesus is calling you to follow him.

Message Notes

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