John 10 picks up immediately after Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees for their spiritual blindness. Remember, the Pharisees had just expelled a man from the synagogue who confessed that Jesus is the Christ (9:22). In John 10:1-21, Jesus uses an illustration of first-century sheep farming in order to admonish the Pharisees. In Jesus’ day, sheep were kept in a pen (or sheepfold) for their protection while not pasturing. The Shepherd watched over the sheep and would at times employ a person (a hireling) to stand at the door of the sheepfold to make sure none escaped. In this illustration Jesus shows that the Pharisees and others are strangers (thieves, robbers, hirelings); while He is the true, good Shepherd who has been entrusted with the care and protection of God’s children.
The Stranger
Jesus begins the illustration by introducing the first type of stranger to the sheep. Jesus said, “he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber” (10:1). This stranger is a threat. This stranger has no right to the sheep and therefore does not attempt to enter by the door. This stranger comes as a thief and a robber who desires to “steal, kill, and destroy” (10:10). The Pharisees are strangers who are a danger to the sheep because they follow their father the devil (8:44). The sheep will not follow the stranger; they will flee from him (10:5). They do not follow him because they do not know his voice (10:5) and they do not hear them (10:8). This rebuke was specifically aimed at the religious leaders actively opposed to Jesus and seeking His death.
There is another type of stranger. Jesus speaks of the hireling. The hireling is not the shepherd but someone hired for a short amount of time. Since he is not the shepherd, he “sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees” (10:12). Jesus said, “The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep” (10:13). This rebuke was aimed at the religious leaders and the people like the blind man’s parents. They may not be actively opposing Jesus, but they will not support Him when it becomes difficult.
The Shepherd
Jesus provides two illustrations to reveal His work as the good Shepherd who cares for, protects, and saves His flock: the door and the Shepherd.
Jesus is the Door
Jesus referred to Himself as the door of the sheepfold. The door of the sheepfold is the only way for the sheep to enter and exit. By this He shows that He is the means by which we receive and enjoy salvation. Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (10:9). He elaborates on this later by saying, “I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly” (10:10). Christianity is not a dead religion and it is not a joy-killer. It is a relationship with the Creator of the World. We are given hope and peace and joy. When we come to Christ, we do not surrender our happiness and joy, we receive happiness and joy. Just as the sheep must go in and out of the door of the sheepfold in order to find pasture, men and women must go through Jesus in order to have an abundant life filled with the Spirit and His fruit (Gal 5:22-23).
There is only one door by which we may find salvation. Jesus told Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Paul told the church in Ephesus, “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Eph 2:18). Paul also told the Romans, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom 5:2). See also Acts 4:12.
Jesus is the Shepherd
Jesus referred to Himself as the Shepherd of the Sheep. Jesus said, “He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To Him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear His voice and He calls His own sheep by name and leaves them out” (10:3). Jesus is not only the door of the sheepfold, but the Shepherd who calls His sheep. Did you notice something interesting about verse 3? Jesus said the Shepherd calls His own sheep by name! Patrick Slyman noted: “In the first century shepherds called their sheep pet-names based upon personal peculiarities of the sheep, with names such as Spot, or Gimpy, or Fluffy.” What is your pet name? Take comfort knowing that as a child of God (one of His sheep) He knows you better than you know yourself and He loves you.
Jesus is the only means of receiving salvation and Jesus is the salvation we receive. The goal of salvation is to know God and enjoy Him forever! Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (10:14). Jesus then uses the illustration of the sacrifice the Shepherd makes for His sheep. Jesus said, “The good Shepherd gives His life for His sheep” (10:11). He then said, “I lay down My life for the sheep” (10:15). He goes on to say, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (10:17-18). This is Jesus’ prediction of His death (lay down My life) and resurrection (take it up again).
The Song
Why do the sheep follow the Shepherd and not a stranger? Because they “do not know the voice of strangers” (10:5). Stephen Haboush said, “the sheep know not the shepherd by his face and garments, but by his call.” How do the sheep come to know the Shepherd’s call? They see his diligent care, love, and protection and grow to know and love the voice of the one who loves them so! Those who know the Shepherd love Him!
Patrick Slyman has said that “some shepherds would sing to their sheep or play a musical instrument to gain their sheep’s attention. Even today, shepherds use distinct calls and whistles, chirps and purrs to summon their sheep.” Do you know the voice of Christ? Have you grown to love His voice, His summons, and His song? There are many competing voices out there. Who are you listening to? Who are you following? If you want life as it truly should be lived, follow Jesus. He is the true Shepherd! He is the good Shepherd!
First Baptist Scott City, MO 
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