“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
The good shepherd has an intimate knowledge of His sheep, and His own know Him. Jesus also indicates that this close relationship of the Good Shepherd (Jesus Christ) and His sheep (believers) is a direct comparison of the intimate relationship between God the Father and God the Son.
Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd to describe His intimate relationship with His followers and the love that moved Him to lay down His life for them. Sheep who ignore the Good Shepherd’s voice (His Word) have only themselves to blame and will fall prey to Satan. Unlike human love motivated by self-interest, Christ’s love for His own moved Him to voluntarily endure even death on a cross for our sake.
The people knew the Old Testament passages in which humanity was called God’s “sheep” and God their “shepherd” (such as Psalm 23:1). Christ spoke very pointedly in this second pronouncement that He is “the good shepherd”. He would die for His sheep, including all believers.
Christ is also taking aim at our self-righteousness. His words teach each generation of believers to follow the Good Shepherd instead of contenting themselves with the idea that they walk with the right sheep, such as the religious leaders of His day … the Pharisees.
God’s blessings on your day…