Jesus, the Door and the Good Shepherd.

In John 10, Jesus refers to Himself twice as the door/gate as well as the Good Shepherd twice. Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees (John 9:40), the religious leaders and spiritual shepherds of the Jewish people. These men, spiritually blind and deaf to the truth of Jesus (John 10:6), are causing division (John 10:19).

Jesus Guards

Jesus as the door guards the sheep (John 10:1, 7-10). He stands in direct contrast to the spiritual thieves and robbers who oppress and abuse the sheep. The sheep are safe and secure behind the door of Jesus, who keeps guards His flock. His sheep hear His voice, know His voice, and follow Him (John 10:3-4).

Jesus Grants

Jesus the door grants eternal life (John 10:9-10). Our compassionate Jesus, seeking the lost, desired for the Pharisees salvation that only He is capable of granting. All who repent and trust in the work of Jesus on the cross can receive the eternal life which only He can grant.

Jesus Gives

In the ancient world, shepherds would herd the sheep into areas surrounded by a stone wall with only one opening for safety. The shepherd would lay across that opening protecting the sheep from anyone or anything that might try to enter. Jesus the Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep (John 10:11-13). Jesus is the anticipated substitutional sacrifice for His sheep (Isaiah 53).

Jesus Glorifies

Jesus the Good Shepherd glorifies the Father through us (John 10:14-18). Only Jesus the Good Shepherd can lay His life down for the sheep and take it up again in obedience to the Father. Jesus glorifies the Father through His relationship with us, those He knows and who know Him (John 10:14). Calling us by name, Jesus cares about us personally, knowing every intimate detail. The Good Shepherd uses every part of our lives to grow us and mold us into vessels that will glorify the Father.

Calling all tribes, tongues, and nations unto Himself, Jesus the Good Shepherd glorifies the Father through the fulfilled unity of God’s sheep (John 10:16).

Jesus takes delight in knowing us and being known. He has given us tools to communicate with Him: His Word, the Holy Spirit, prayer, each other. In obedience and love, may we grow in our relationship with the Good Shepherd that He may use us to glorify the Father.

Application Points

• Have you entered eternal life through Jesus, the door? Do you hear His voice, know His voice, and follow Him? How does your life evidence this?

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore

Romans 5, Galatians 3, Isaiah 40, Ezekiel 34, Psalm 23