'I Am the Door & the Good Shepherd'

In the opening paragraphs of John chapter 10, Jesus describes himself by using two striking metaphors:  'I am the door' and 'I am the good shepherd'.  By using these two metaphors, Jesus answers two important questions – who is the true shepherd of God's people, and what marks the character and life of those who God calls out to be a people of his own?  Jesus addresses these questions allegorically by using agrarian images to communicate spiritual truths.  He describes a familiar scene-shepherds entering a sheepfold and calling their sheep.  A sheepfold was a fenced enclosure with one guarded entrance in which several flocks were kept, and only the shepherds who owned the flocks had access to the sheepfold through that single entrance.  Also, each shepherd knew his sheep and called them by name, and the sheep would respond only to the voice of their shepherd. 

This is a vivid word-picture of God's saving work in the world.  Within the whole circle of fallen humanity, individuals have been set apart to God as his sheep.  When he calls them, they respond and follow.  What's being underscored is the understanding that the redeeming grace of God is dynamic and effectual.  Those who God has set apart to salvation he sovereignly regenerates by his grace and when they hear the gospel they respond.  They know their shepherd's voice and they'll not commit themselves to following a stranger. 

In verses 7-10, Jesus attempts to clarify the discussion by introducing these two complimenting metaphors.  By identifying himself as the 'door to the sheepfold,' Jesus is saying that he's the only authorized entrance point into the sheepfold.  This metaphor has a twofold application.  One is that those who come to the sheep as religious leaders offering salvation but refusing to honor Christ as Messiah and God incarnate are 'thieves' and 'robbers', and his sheep will not listen to them.  So the false prophets and false Messiahs who came before Christ, as well as the Pharisees, are illegitimate leaders and God's true sheep will not follow them.  Also, as the door, Jesus is the entrance point into the flock.  Christ is the 'door' into the redeemed flock of God.  Those who trust Christ alone for their salvation will be delivered from the tyranny of sin and the impending wrath of God.  They'll find freedom and a well- nurtured life....they'll “go in and out and find pasture (v.9).”  In other words, in Christ there's “abundant life”, a life with hope and eternity in view.  The truth that's being stated in bold print by use of the 'door' metaphor is that the only legitimate way to gain access to the flock of God is through Christ, the only mediator between God and man (1Tim.2:5). 

What follows the 'door' metaphor is the complimenting 'good shepherd' metaphor (vv.11-18).  The 'good shepherd' is distinguished by five features....first, he is unique.  Christ is one of a kind!  The adjective 'good' [καλός] in this context carries the idea of excellent or unrivaled.  Jesus stands alone; he's the shepherd from the line of David.  He's the messianic ruler spoken of in Ezekiel 34:23 - “...I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them; he shall feed them and be their shepherd.”  Another defining feature of the 'good shepherd' is self-sacrifice; he 'lays down his life for the sheep (v.11)', and his sacrifice is shaped by distinct features.  First, it's voluntary - “no one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord...(v.18).”  In addition, his sacrifice is effectual; it meets the spiritual need of others.  The preposition 'for' [υπέρ] means 'for the benefit of', for the benefit of his sheep.  And then, his sacrifice is substitutionary - “...the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mk.10:45)”.  Here the preposition 'for' is anti [ἀντί] meaning 'in exchange for'.  A third distinguishing feature of the Good Shepherd is that he knows his sheep personally - “...I know my own and my own know me (v.14).”  The shepherd knows those who belong to him and his sheep know him.  The knowing is reciprocal, underscoring the idea of relationship.  The verb 'know' is ginosko meaning relational knowledge, indicating that the knower has a relationship with the object known.  The remarkable truth is that Jesus calls us by name (v.3) and relates to us individually.  A fourth distinguishing feature of the Good Shepherd is that he unites the flock, a flock made up of both Jews and Gentiles - “...I have other sheep that are not of this fold (Gentiles).  I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.  So, there will be one flock, one shepherd (v.16).”  This is a radical aspect of the gospel!  The Kingdom of God is inclusive.  It's made up of all ethnicities and racial groups.  To the Jews this was unthinkable and offensive!  And yet, true Israel isn't a racial or nationalistic reference; it refers to the redeemed from the whole of humanity.  All those who have expressed the faith of Abraham are the true children of Abraham.  They are the true circumcision!  This is a major theme in the Apostle Paul's preaching, and forms the flash-point of his preaching.  This radical idea is presented in large bold print in the books of Romans, Ephesians, and Galatians.  The fifth thing that distinguishes the Good Shepherd is that he conquered death - “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again (v.17).”  The conjunction 'that' [ἵνα] introduces a purpose statement; it literally means 'in order that'.  Jesus is saying that he lays his life down 'in order to' take it up again.  The focus of the statement isn't on death, it's on resurrection.  Because of this we also have the hope of resurrection and life everlasting! 

Just as there are defining features of the Good Shepherd there are also characterizing features of the sheep.I want to draw your attention to three.One is that true sheep enter the flock by way of the door - “I am the door.If anyone enters by me he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture (v.9).”True sheep embrace Christ by faith and come under his Lordship.There's no other entrance point; he's the only door.Also, the sheep hear and recognize the Shepherd's voice - “...The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (vv.3,4).”The verb 'hear' [ακούω] means to hear with understanding and appreciation.True sheep won't be led astray by false teachers and false teaching because they know the Shepherd's voice.For us moderns this means we have a working knowledge of Scripture that forms the objective framework for proper discernment.Third and finally, the sheep follow the Shepherd - “...the sheep follow him...(v.4)” because his voice is the only one they recognize.As decided Christians we're to live our lives from a posture of obedience and devotion.We're to be passionate about pleasing Christ and following him.The question we need to ask ourselves is....”do we measure up to this profile?”....”does it describe us?”