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Title: I Am the Door of the Sheep Text: John 10:7-10 Introduction: There are two key elements in this passage. The first is the sheep. I confess I am not a student of animal husbandry, but from what I read from others there is one word that might perfectly describe sheep – “stupid.” Maybe that’s too harsh a word, they are of limited intelligence. According to Dr Bob Smith retired professor of philosophy at Bethel College, the existence of sheep is prima facie evidence against the theory of evolution. Sheep could not have survived. Phillip Keller, a former shepherd, discusses some of the unique problems of sheep, in his book A Shepherd looks at Psalm 23. He says of all the animal kingdom sheep are at the lower end. When it comes to finding food, they basically have to be shown the way. He says they will follow paths to desolate places even though good pasture is near by. They are timid and stubborn, they are easily frightened by the most ridiculous things, while at other times when danger is near nothing can move them. They are absolutely defenseless and he says of all animals that require husbandry they take the most work. And they represent us so perfectly they are the symbol the Bible uses to portray humanity. Ps 78:52-53 52 But He led forth His own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; 53 And He led them safely, so that they did not fear; but the sea engulfed their enemies. (NAS) Ps 95:7 For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. (NAS) Ps 100:3 Know that the LORD himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; {we are} His people and the sheep of His pasture. Isa 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. (NAS) Our 21st century concept of sheep herding is quite different from that of the first century. Then shepherding was and intimate occupation. The shepherds didn’t drive their sheep they went in front of them and led them. Although some were used for food and sacrifice, sheep were primarily raised for wool. The shepherd would tend his sheep for years and develop a bond calling each sheep by name. The sheep depended on the shepherd for their existence and he cared for them 24/7 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year. When we recognize that kind of relationship between shepherd and sheep we more clearing understand Matthew’s reference in: Matt 9:36 And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd. (NAS) Those words are equally true today as we see our own society wandering aimlessly confused about issues of right and wrong, about the relationship between God and government, about the relationship between faith and values. But not only is our society affected but the entire world is distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd. That also helps us to better understand Jesus’ words in verse 7 and 9. 7 Jesus therefore said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. (NAS) 9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (NAS) There were two kinds of sheep-folds. There was the village or communal sheep-fold in which more than one shepherd might keep his flock. It is this kind of sheep-fold Jesus describes first. John 10:1-2 1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 "But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. (NAS) There is only one way into the sheep-fold, that is by the door. The communal sheep-fold would have a gate keeper who would be familiar with the shepherd. He would not allow someone to come in the door who did not have a rightful claim to the sheep who were kept there. Anyone else would not be allowed in the door. They would have to climb over the walls to get to the sheep. Jesus said they are thieves. Today there are lots thieves who seek the sheep. They come in many different forms, go by many different names, promise many different things – enlightenment, happiness, freedom, independence but all are thieves because none can give true life. They come to steal, kill and destroy. But Jesus says, I came that they might have life, and might have {it} abundantly. (NAS) Jesus did not come to preserve a life already possessed, He came to impart a life never before known. Not only life in the present, but life for all eternity. The abundant life Jesus promised is not just more time to fill, but more life to be lived, to be experienced, to be shared, to be full of the joy of the Lord. It’s not about an abundance of possessions, but about satisfaction and contenment. Jesus said in John 17:13, "But now I come to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy made full in themselves. (NAS) Jesus was on the way to the cross but He talked about joy because He knew abundant life was life lived beyond circumstances. A second key element in this passage is the “door.” In verse 7 Jesus changes illustrations. I mentioned two types of sheep-folds. The second was the one used in the fields away from the villages. It was smaller for a single flock, usually made of stone sometime with thorns around the top. In these solitary sheep-folds it was the shepherd who served as the door. After gathering his flock into the pen he made his bed in the doorway. In the first 6 verses Jesus made the point He alone is the true shepherd. The Shepherd who is concerned for the well being of the sheep who watches out for the sheep and takes care of the sheep. There is a contrast between Him and pretenders, false shepherds. Here the idea is not that Jesus is the legitimate shepherd who comes for His flock who knows His sheep and is known by His sheep, but that He is the door, the sole means by which the sheep may enter into then safety and security of the pen, and leave to find the nourishment of the pasture. It is a proverbial way of insisting there is only one means of receiving eternal life, only one true source of knowledge of God, only one basis of spiritual security, one way to find forgiveness of sin, redemption, and restoration. Jesus Christ the living door, in order to get into the fold with it’s safety and security you must go through Him, and to go out to pasture to know and experience abundant life you must go through Him. He is protector and provider. When you come in the door you are not only saved you are safe. When you go out the door you go out with newness of life. The entrance to the sheep-fold is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 9 "I am the door” Jesus said, “if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9 (NAS) |