A study of John 10:1-10 reveals a shepherd that leads his sheep, Jesus is the door to heaven who protects and secures our faith, and Jesus offers abundant life.
A study of John 10:1-10 reveals a shepherd that leads his sheep.
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. (ESV, John 10:1-2)
This parable is based on daily Jewish life during that time period. The story begins In the context of a small, Jewish village where families commonly owned a few sheep. Mostly for wool rather than food. The Greek word for “sheepfold” is aulē, which means court or courtyard. It was an enclosed, outdoor area of the home where the sheep were kept with walls up to six feet high. The shepherd was a designated family member or someone hired who went house to house through the neighborhood to gather a herd.
The gatekeeper was a home resident who opened the courtyard door to let the shepherd in to gather the sheep. Any thief seeking to steal sheep had to climb in and carry them over the wall to do so. The shepherd actually built a relationship with the sheep and gave them all names. Rather than drive the herd from behind, he led them by calling their names. And the sheep followed because they recognized their shepherd’s voice. But ran from anyone with a voice they didn’t recognize.
Today, we also hear many voices that want our attention. But the one we must listen to and follow is our shepherd. The Lord Jesus Christ. As his flock, we recognize and faithfully follow his voice by studying his word. And its truth cuts through the babble of competing voices.
A study of John 10:1-10 reveals Jesus is the door to heaven who protects and secures our faith.
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (ESV, John 10:7-9)
In V.6 Jesus used a “figure of speech” they didn’t understand. The Greek word used is paroimia, which means an enigmatical or fictitious illustration. parable, or proverb. And “they” are likely the Pharisees and Jews that Jesus spoke to in chapter nine when he taught in the Jerusalem temple during the Feast of Tabernacles.
They were the intellectual elites. The most knowledgeable in Old Testament scriptures. And they should have been first to recognize, accept, and follow Jesus as the Messiah. Instead, they rejected him and led the people in rejecting him too. It illustrates the fact that people seldom reject Jesus based on intellectual knowledge. But rather a hard heart. It also emphasizes the grave responsibility placed on spiritual leaders. To carefully steward God’s word and proclaim its truth will diligence.
The parable makes a scene change in V.7. After gathering their herd of sheep in the village, shepherds led them out into the open fields to graze. And in the warm summer stayed out overnight. In that event, sheep were kept in hand built stone-walled enclosures. The top wall was covered with thorns to fend off wild animals. And since there was no enclosure door, the shepherd slept in the opening as guard. In the same manner, Jesus both leads the sheep and is the door that protects them.
A study of John 10:1-10 reveals that Jesus offers abundant life.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
The Greek word for “life” is zoe. Its meaning extends beyond simply biological existence which would normally use the Greek word bios. John uses zoe to mean regenerated and eternal life with God. And the Greek word for “abundantly” is perisseúō, which means superabundant and beyond measure. It represents quality of life not an accumulation of material goods.
In other words, abundance in way of full, complete, and a lacking nothing spiritual life. But it does not guarantee unending happiness, well being, comfort, wealth, or success. Life presents challenges and hardships to everyone. And followers of Jesus Christ are not shielded from those experiences. Although Jesus walks with us through them.
We end with Jesus affirming a critical spiritual truth. He is the only entrance to eternal life. As savior and Lord, he guides and protects our faith. And we are further secured by the Holy Spirit.
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. ( ESV, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
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