The Gospel of John: John 10.1-18

Read and meditate on John 10.1-6.
Jesus makes yet another extraordinary claim, which He will elaborate throughout chapter 10: He is the good Shepherd. This claim has enormous theological and practical implications, as we shall see.
                ¹“The man who does not enter in
the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in through
some other way, he is a thief. ²He who
comes through the door into the sheepfold is
the shepherd of the sheep. ³The sheep are his;
they hear his voice. He calls each one of them
by name, and leads them out. ⁴They follow him,
and know his voice, as he before them goes.
⁵A stranger though, whose voice none of them knows,
they will not follow, but will flee from him;
the voice of strangers is unknown to them.”
⁶This illustration Jesus used, although
they understood Him not, and did not know
what He was saying to them.

- John 10.1-6

Reflect
1.  A sheepfold is a place of safety and rest. In what ways is this an apt metaphor for salvation? Can it also represent the Church? Explain. Complete this prayer: Lord, thank You that I am one of Your sheep, and that I dwell forever in Your sheepfold. Help me to know…

2.  In this illustration, who would be the “doorkeeper” of the sheepfold, and who would be the “shepherd”? How does this help us understand the work of salvation which we have because of Jesus? You are my way into the sheepfold of God, Lord Jesus, and I thank and praise You as my good Shepherd. Lead me today to…

3.  Meditate on verses 3 and 4. These verses point to the intimate and personal nature of our relationship with the good Shepherd. How do you experience what these verses suggest? You know me by name, Lord, and I know You, so that…

4.  To follow the good Shepherd is to know (recognize, delight in, obey) His voice, and to go in whatever direction His voice indicates. How does this work out in your life? How would you counsel a new believer to recognize, delight in, and obey the voice of our good Shepherd? Lead me today, Lord, to every next step of my discipleship, and I will…

5.  Today as always, “strangers” are seeking to woo the Lord’s sheep away from following Him. What are some examples of the strange voices that tempt the Lord’s flock? How can we recognize these? How can we resist their allure? Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“Keep hold of this, that Christ’s sheepfold is the church. Whoever would enter the sheepfold, let him enter by the door; let him preach the true Christ. Not only let him preach the true Christ but also seek Christ’s glory, not his own. For many, by seeking their own glory, have scattered Christ’s sheep instead of gathering them.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

Eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ – personally, intimately, obediently, joyfully. How can you encourage the believers in your Personal Mission Field to grow in this precious gift?

Closing Prayer
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.
The LORD is their strength,
And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
Save Your people,
And bless Your inheritance;
Shepherd them also,
And bear them up forever.

Psalm 28.7-9

Psalm 28.6-9 (Angel’s Story: O Jesus, I Have Promised)
Blessed be the Name of Jesus, for He will hear our prayer.
His strength protects and shields us with mercy and with care.
In You our heart rejoices, You help us by Your Word.
To You we raise our voices to praise and thank You, Lord.

Our strength are You, O Savior, our strong defense and sure:
Anointed with Your favor, we rest in You secure.
Save us, and bless us, Jesus, upon us turn Your face;
With shepherd’s care, Lord, keep us forever in Your grace.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.