In John 10, Jesus presents Himself as the Good Shepherd, a role that signifies His deep, protective love for His followers. This Daily Devotional not only highlights His shepherd-like care but also emphasizes His unity with God the Father. As we explore the teachings of John 10, we are invited to reflect on the profound connection between Jesus and the Father, and what it means for our faith. The invitation is clear: do you believe in the oneness of Jesus and God the Father? Read about Jesus’ healing of a blind man in the Daily Devotional on John 9.
I Am the Good Shepherd
In today’s devotional, Jesus is referred to as the door to heaven and the protective Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, demonstrating His ultimate authority and power. We will also explore the abundant life Jesus offers, and His unique authority to lay down and take up His life again, reinforcing His divine nature. Jesus explicit claims oneness with the Father, recognizing the rejection He faced and the belief He inspired in many.
What Does Jesus the Good Shepherd Mean?
As we delve into John 10 today, let’s consider the profound implications of Jesus being our Good Shepherd. He contrasts Himself with the thief, Satan, who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, whereas Jesus comes to provide abundant life. His claim, “I and the Father are one,” stands as a cornerstone of Christian belief, affirming His divine identity and mission. Through His works and words, Jesus invites us to experience the fullness of life under His guidance and protection. Are you ready to embrace Him as your Good Shepherd and acknowledge His divine oneness with the Father?
John 10 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In John 10, we will learn Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and that He and the Father are one. Do you believe Jesus and God the Father are one? Please read or listen to John 10.
In 1990, after reading John 10, I wrote, “Jesus is the door to heaven. We are meek and dumb like sheep. We are vulnerable to the wolf, Satan. But Jesus is also the Shepherd. He protects His sheep and lays down His life for us. Jesus had authority to lay down His own life for us. He also had the power to take it up again. Jesus protects His own. Referring to verse 37, Jesus points to His works as a testimony of who He is. So should we, exemplify our faith by our works, like James 2 says.”
My Sheep Hear My Voice
In 2005 (NASB), I wrote, “Jesus says, ‘I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved’ (v. 9). ‘I came that they (sheep) may have life and have it abundantly’ (v. 10). ‘I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep’ (v. 11). ‘I lay down My life for the sheep’ (v. 15). ‘I lay down My life that I may take it up again’ (v. 17). ‘No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I authority to take it up again’ (v. 18). ‘My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them’ (vs. 27-28).” And, finally, “‘I and the Father are one’ (v. 30) and ‘(and the Scripture cannot be broken)’ (v. 35).”
In 2018, I wrote, “Jesus is the door to being saved, referring to verse 9. He is the Good Shepherd, according to verse 14. He came to give life, abundant life, according to verse 10. I have and am experiencing abundant life in Christ. I am a sheep. I hear the voice of the shepherd.” I continued, “Jesus had the authority to lay down His life. No one took it from Him, and He had the authority to take it up again; rise from the dead, according to verse 18.” I continued, “Tell us plainly if You are the Christ, referring to verse 24. So He does, ‘I and the Father are one’ (v. 30). And ‘the Father is in me and I am in the Father’ (v. 38). But they reject His statements and try to stone Him. He is not a good teacher, a religious philosopher, because He plainly claims to be God. ‘And many believed in him there’ (v. 42).”
Jesus Is the Good Shepherd
In chapter 10, Jesus claims to be the Good Shepherd. In my journal, I claimed to be a dumb, silent, sheep. But I am sure glad He is my Shepherd. He says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (v. 14). I hope, as sheep, we know the voice of the Shepherd. Jesus clearly says He lays down His life for the sheep. He says in verse 16, “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also”. There He is talking about Gentiles. I am glad He grafted us in, the Gentiles, so we too can have eternal life from the Good Shepherd.
Let’s look at verse 10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” The thief is Satan, and, yes, he does a good job at all three: stealing, killing, and destroying things all around us, people all around us. But Jesus came to give us life and give it to us abundantly. Are you experiencing an abundant life as a sheep with your Good Shepherd? I said in my journal, I am. I believe my life as a Christian has been an abundant life thanks to Jesus, my Good Shepherd. I hope you can say the same.
In the later part of the chapter, the Jews ask Him, “Are you the Christ?” “(T)ell us plainly” (v. 24). The rest of the chapter, He does, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (vs. 27-28). That is Jesus Messiah.
In verse 30, He says, “I and the Father are one.” It does not get more clear than that, as He equates Himself with the Father. Verse 38 says, “the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” The Jews cannot handle that. They say, “You are making yourself out to be God”, referring to verse 33. Jesus says, “Don’t listen to My words, look at what I have done”, referring to verse 25. Can you say that about your testimony for Christ? “Don’t listen to my words, look at how I behave as a Christian.” Then He reminded them and us in verse 35, “and Scripture cannot be broken.” We are reading Scripture here in John. It cannot be broken.
Do you believe Jesus and the Father are one? Do you believe Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus? Do you accept Him as your Good Shepherd? Let’s pray.
Lord, we thank You for the truth of Your Word and we thank You that the “Scripture cannot be broken” (v. 35). Thank You for plainly describing who You are in John 10. You are the Good Shepherd. You are the door that opens eternal life to each one of us. You are the Son of God.
