Jesus often used real life situations to get his point across in his teachings. He took something that the people of that day understood to teach a lesson or to symbolize something spiritual. One of the jobs that people in biblical times certainly understood was shepherding. So Jesus took the opportunity to relate how he loved and cared for his children by using this example.

In John 10, Jesus starts by explaining that there is a right way to get in the sheep pen. He says that if anyone goes over the fence anywhere but through the gate that they are there to steal the sheep. A real shepherd goes to the gate and calls his sheep out, and they come because they know his voice. He said sheep would not follow the voice of a stranger because they don’t know that voice. The Bible tells us that Jesus spelled out this example for them when he said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.”

Jesus then makes a comparison between a shepherd and a hired hand. He said they act differently when trouble comes. The hired hand will desert the sheep if there is a threat because they have no committed interest in the sheep and it’s not worth risking their life to protect them. However, a shepherd is different; the flock belongs to him so he would lay down his life for them.

Jesus continues his teaching by telling the people that he is the good shepherd and that he will lay down his life for his sheep. He is a good shepherd because he knows his sheep, they know him, and they follow his voice. The religious people of the day still did not understand and continued to question Jesus and accuse him of blasphemy. He told them they didn’t believe because they were not his sheep.

We need to be sure that we have entered through the gate of Jesus to be in the flock. Once we are in the flock, we need to get to know the shepherd, really know him and the sound of his voice. When we follow the voices of strangers, they don’t have our best interest at heart and will not protect us when trouble comes. We need to be grateful to our Shepherd that laid down his life for us that we might have eternal life. We have a good shepherd but are we good sheep?

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30) (NIV)