Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– John 10:10
He Seeks the Lost
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He seeks those sheep which are lost to bring them into the fold or the family of God. Jesus once asked the rhetorical question, “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray” (Matthew 18:12)? The obvious answer is yes! He sought you, He caught you, He bought you, and He brought you into the kingdom! Praise God and thank you, Jesus!
He Opens the Door
Since Jesus seeks those who are lost, He then opens the door to the sheepfold (or the church) and allows them to enter; but they cannot go into the sheepfold without going through Him. The Apostle Peter said that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Works can’t do it. Living a good life can’t do it. Only Jesus can do it!
He Guards the Door
In areas where they tend sheep, the shepherd would often be lying down at night to guard the sheep. The shepherd would bring in the sheep and then be at the door to guard the flock. This is what Jesus does. He said, “I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them” (John 10:7b-8). In other words, the thieves and robbers who want to take the sheep to a false shepherd must pass by Jesus, and they can’t do it. Who can prevail against God?
He Is the Door
Since Jesus is the door and He guards the sheep, we can only have access to the Father through Jesus (John 6:44). No one can come to the Father without going through Jesus in repentance and faith. That was Jesus first message in beginning His earthly ministry (Mark 1:15). Jesus says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9).
He Dies for His Sheep
What other shepherd would actually die for his sheep other than Jesus Christ? Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:10b-11). The hired hand is “not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them” (John 10:12). I am a pastor, but I am only an under-shepherd to the Good Shepherd. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and not me or any man.
Conclusion
Today there are no shortages of “hired hands” who claim to be the sheep’s shepherd; but when the enemy comes, they run. Not so with Christ. He died for His sheep so that they shall have eternal life, and no one can take them from Him. That is why Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
