This week’s message is based out of John 10:1 – 18, and is entitled, “Jesus: the Door of the Sheep.” This passage depicts the third and fourth of the “I AM” statements made by the Lord Jesus— “I am the door of the sheep,” and “I am the good shepherd.”
This teaching revealed in John 10:1 – 18 grew out of Jesus’ confrontation with the Jewish leaders over His previous “I AM” statements made in chapter eight. There Jesus used the image of light and darkness in His discourse with them, declaring that He was “the light of the world” (8:12), and that “before Abraham was, I AM” (8:58). The teaching here in chapter ten also follows His miracle of healing the blind beggar whom the Pharisees excommunicated from the Jewish temple.
Now, as we proceed into this tenth chapter, we recognize that Jesus chose to use the image of a shepherd and his sheep to both contrast His ministry against that of the Jewish leaders, and to further His claim of deity to His people. Why was this significant? Because to the Jewish mind, a “shepherd” was any kind of leader, whether one’s role was spiritual, or political, in nature. The Jewish people of that day looked upon their kings and prophets of the past as shepherds. Israel was privileged to be counted as “the sheep of His pasture” (cf. Psalm 100:3) [Warren Wiersbe, Be Alive, p.119].
Consequently, the truth that is declared in this passage may be expressed in these words: Jesus Christ is the door that leads to salvation, and the Shepherd of our souls.
I want us to examine three major thoughts together from this text of John 10. The first one is this: the illustration of Jesus’ identity (vv.1 – 7, 9, 11, 14). Take note that His identity is acclaimed by the Scriptures (vv.1 – 2). Jesus fulfilled all 61 major Messianic prophecies that are given in the OT. When Jesus came to the nation of Israel, He came the appointed way, just as the Scriptures promised concerning their long-awaited Messiah. For example, Jesus fulfilled each of the Messianic prophecies found within the “Suffering Servant” passages of Isaiah: Isaiah 42:1 – 25 \ 49:1 – 26 \ 50:1 – 11 \ 52:13 – 53:12 \ Isaiah 61:1 – 2a (cf. Luke 4:18 – 19).
In his commentary on the Gospel of John, John Phillips points to some of the most persuasive arguments from prophecy regarding the identity of Jesus. Phillips wrote…
That the Lord Jesus was the genuine Shepherd was evident. He had entered by the door [of Messianic prophecy], by the legitimate means of entry:
ü He had been born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14 \ Matthew 1:21 – 23).
ü He had been born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 \ Matthew 2:4 – 6).
ü He had come “in the fulness of time” (Galatians 4:4).
ü Out of Egypt God had called His Son (Hosea 11:1 \ Matthew 2:14 – 15).
ü His arrival had provoked the rage of the enemy (Jeremiah 31:15 \ Matthew 2:16 – 18).
Thus, Jesus was the right person, born in the right place, arriving at the right time, summoned from the right country, and attended by the right sign (Exploring the Gospels: John, p.194).
Then, too, Jesus’ identity gives assurance to His sheep (vv.3 – 5). This portion of Jesus’ illustration is best understood by knowing something of the manner in which a shepherd in ancient Israel took care of, and protected, his flock. Author Earl Allen provides his readers a wonderful description of the shepherd’s task for our consideration here in his book, The Great “I Ams” of Jesus. He writes…
In the Holy Land, a shepherd would lead his sheep all during the day, enabling them to graze in a suitable pasture. Then, in the evening, he would call his sheep to himself, perhaps from a sizable group of several flocks mixed together. The sheep would then follow after their shepherd to a watering place, and then on to the sheepfold, where they would bed down safely for the night.
According to Eastern custom, the sheep pens were always composed of rock, due to the overwhelming supply of rocks and stones in Palestine… From this ample supply of rocks, the shepherds typically built a circular shaped pen for their sheep. They would also often place thick vines with long, sharp thorns across the top of these pens in order to protect the sheep from any predators at night.
An opening— known as a “door,” or a “gate”— would be left in the middle of one side of those rock-walled pens. At night the shepherd would stand at that opening and call his sheep to himself. He would then carefully examine each one of his sheep to determine if the animal was injured in some way, or if it was sick. The shepherd would also investigate each sheep for burrs, scratches, and bruises. If the shepherd discovered a wound of some kind, he would usually pour some olive oil on it for healing. Then, he would stand aside from the opening into the sheep pen to allow his sheep to enter the fold. The shepherd would do this with each one of his flock— tending to them one by one— until all were safely in the fold.
The shepherd, exercising great care, would next build a fire outside the entrance of the sheep pen in order to scare off any wild beasts. Then he would eat his dinner, warm his feet by the fire, and finally get ready to go to sleep for the night. Stretched out in entrance of the sheep pen, the shepherd would then fall asleep, satisfied that his sheep were safe. In essence, the shepherd became the door. Likewise, there is no access into God’s sheepfold— no entrance into heaven and to God’s throne— except through the Lord Jesus (pp.67 – 68).
“The Shepherd of the sheep” leads those who belong to Him through the assurance He gives. There is no voice like the voice of the Son of God, like our Savior and Redeemer. As “the Shepherd of the sheep,” Jesus is our source of protection through the dangers of life. He is our source of provision for the demands of life. He is the One who determines and guides our pathways through the difficulties of life. He fulfills His purposes in the design of our lives.
We should consider, too, that Jesus’ identity is affirmed as a Savior and a Shepherd (vv.7, 9, 11, 14). Verses 7 and 9 reveal Jesus’ declaration that He is “the door of the sheep… If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.” This served as a clear statement to the Pharisees that He claimed to be their prophesied Messiah, their Savior.
Verses 11 and 14 reveal Jesus’ role as our Shepherd. In the former verse, we see that Jesus loves His sheep infinitely through His willingness to give His own life for us. In the latter verse, we can recognize that Jesus knows His sheep intimately. A good and dutiful shepherd knows the personality traits, the nature, and the needs of his flock. Similarly, as our “good Shepherd,” the Lord Jesus knows those who follow Him by name. As our “good Shepherd,” He knows our nature— our personality traits, the things which interest us, the things we like and dislike in life. And as our “good Shepherd,” Jesus also is aware of the deepest needs of our lives. Jesus Christ is the door that leads to salvation, and the Shepherd of our souls.
The second truth we need to examine concerns the intent of Jesus’ ministry (vv.7 – 11, 15 – 18). This is expressed in three ways. To begin with, Jesus is the Door of the sheep (vv.7 – 8). When Jesus declared, “I am the door of the sheep,” those words came immediately after the statement that the man born blind had been “excommunicated” from the synagogue by the Pharisees (cf. John 9:34). That man had been excluded, in effect, from the people of God. But Jesus came to him and offered to include him, deliberately setting up a contrast [between the Pharisees’ kind of ministry, and the type which He had come to fulfill].
Jesus made it plain that the man was “ok” with Him. “You are acceptable to Me; you are approved by Me,” was the essence of what Jesus said and did on that man’s behalf. For all practical purposes, Jesus was putting it like this: “I am the Door to let you in, not to keep you out” (Allen, The Great “I Ams” of Jesus, pp.72 – 73).
Next, we must acknowledge the declaration of Jesus’ salvation (vv.9 – 10). As “the door of the sheep,” Jesus is the One who saves our souls (v.9a). He is the One who shelters, secures, and sustains our lives (v.9b). He is the One who satisfies the longings of our souls and lives (v.10).
Jesus is our door of salvation today, the One in whom grace is unveiled (cf. John 1:17 & 19:30). He is the One whose love for us is unconditional (cf. Romans 5:8 – 9). He is the One whose grace is unmerited (cf. Ephesians 2:8 – 9). He is the One who saves to the uttermost (cf. Hebrews 7:25).
Then, we must also consider the design of Jesus’ sacrifice (vv.11, 15 – 18). Jesus clearly affirmed at least two things by revealing His identity as both “the door of the sheep” and “the good shepherd.” One was His abiding love and sustaining grace for His sheep, His followers. The other related to the sacrificial, willful nature of His death, which He mentions on four specific occasions in this passage (vv.11, 15, 17, 18).
Jesus did not die as a martyr, killed by men. Instead, Jesus died as the propitiation for our sins— as our atoning substitute— in order to fully forgive our sin debt. He willingly laid down His life for humanity. Jesus is both the Savior and Shepherd of our souls!
Note, too, the distinction which exists in v.16 between a “fold” and a “flock.” In ancient Israel, a sheep fold was characterized by the circumference of a walled pen. A flock of sheep, on the other hand, are known by their shepherd. The shepherd goes before his sheep, who also walks in the midst of them, and they follow Him.
In essence, Jesus was announcing that He was leading His sheep out of the fold of the Pharisees and Sadducees of that day, and was gathering a new flock. As Messiah— as the Christ— as the Savior of the world— Jesus would lead one flock consisting of both Jews and Gentiles. And He alone would be their Shepherd. Jesus Christ is the door that leads to salvation, and the Shepherd of our souls.
Finally, the third major truth calls for us to recognize the invitation from Jesus to the weary (vv.9 – 10). A door has two sides, representing either inclusion or exclusion. Spiritually, you are either on the inside of God’s door of salvation, or, you are on the outside of His door of salvation. As “the door of the sheep” Jesus is the only way of salvation, the only way to heaven. So, where do you stand with Jesus today?
You can have a loving relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. John 10:14 says, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”
You can have a living relationship with Jesus, the Great Shepherd. Hebrews 13:20 – 21 says, “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”.
You can have a lasting relationship with Jesus, the Chief Shepherd. 1 Peter 5:4 says, “and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”.
In believing, repentant faith, are you willing to give yourself to Jesus, to know Him as the “Shepherd and Overseer” of your soul? (cf. 1 Peter 2:25). Will you place your faith and trust in Jesus today as your Savior, your Lord, your Life? He is the door that leads to salvation from all our sin and unrighteousness. And He longs for you to ask Him to be the Shepherd of even your soul right now. Remember, Jesus is the Door to let you in to the kingdom of heaven rather than to keep you out. Jesus Christ is the door that leads to salvation, and the Shepherd of our souls.
“Jesus: the Door of the Sheep.”
Anchored to His Faithfulness,
Dr. Allen Roberts