We have two more I AM statements from Jesus in our reading in John today..."I am the door," and "I am the Good Shepherd." In 1 Samuel the madman, king Saul is still chasing David, the man who would write Psalm 23...the Lord is my Shepherd! Saul knows that the Kingdom has been taking from him and yet he will not let go. Remember, it started with pride that led to disobedience and then God gave him over.
In our reading in John we have the beautiful picture of Jesus the good Shepherd who lays down his life for HIS sheep. Let's get a little context on shepherds and sheep.
SHEPHERD — a person who takes care of sheep. Figuratively, the Old Testament pictures God as Israel’s Shepherd-Leader (Ps. 80:1; Ezek. 34:14). The New Testament reveals Jesus as the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep. When He said, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11), Jesus linked His own divine nature with one of the most ordinary occupations in Israel.
Abel is the first shepherd mentioned in the Bible (Gen. 4:2). Kings who led Israel (Jer. 6:3; 49:19) and certain ministers (Jer. 23:4) are also called shepherds.
The sons of Abraham, 
Isaac, and Jacob herded sheep (Gen. 13:7; 26:20; 30:36). Rachel was a shepherdess (Gen. 29:3). David (2 Sam. 5:2; Ps. 78:70–72), Moses (Ex. 3:1), and Amos (Amos 1:1) found herding to be excellent preparation for future leadership roles.
Jesus’ life exemplifies these leadership traits. Jesus knows each of His sheep intimately (John 10:3–5). Sometimes several shepherds will pen their sheep together in a cave or a sheepfold at night. The next morning the shepherds call out to their own sheep. Each sheep knows its shepherd’s voice and responds immediately. Even in a large flock, one individual sheep will run to its shepherd when its own pet name is called. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me,” (John 10:27).
Sheep are curious but dumb animals, often unable to find their way home even if the sheepfold is within sight. Knowing this fault, shepherds never take their eyes off their wandering sheep (Ps. 32:8). Often sheep will wander into a briar patch or fall over a cliff in the rugged Palestinian hills. The shepherds tenderly search for their sheep and carry them to safety (Luke 15:6).
In water-hungry Syria and Palestine, shepherds have always had to search diligently for water, sometimes for hours every day. Sheep must be watered daily. The shepherd might find a bubbling stream for the sheep that are always on the move and needing fresh pastures every day (Ps. 23:2). An old well with a quiet pool or trough close by might provide the water (Gen. 29:7; 30:38; Ex. 2:16). Often the shepherd carries a small pail, patiently filling it many times for the thirsty sheep who cannot reach the available water.
A trusted shepherd also provides loving protection for the flock. Shepherds on the Bethlehem hillsides still use a sling, made of goat’s hair or leather and immortalized by David against Goliath (1 Sam. 17:49). At times shepherds will throw their rods at a stubborn, straying sheep that refuse to hear their voice. At other times shepherds gently nudge the strays with the end of a six-foot staff, crooked at one end. Both the rod and the staff work together to protect the sheep (Ps. 23:4).
The presence of the shepherd also offers comfort to the flock. David recognized this in Psalm 23. Sheep are content merely to be in the same field with their shepherd; Christians are comforted by the very presence of the Lord. This thought is especially comforting when darkness overshadows the believer. Jesus is our Door; nothing can touch our lives without touching Him first. This is a perfect picture of shepherds, who literally become the living door of the sheepfold. They curl up in the door or in the entrance of a cave. They put their bodies between the sleeping sheep and ravenous animals or thieves.
One day Jesus the Chief Shepherd will return, gather His whole flock into one fold, and divide the sheep from the goats (Matt. 25:31–33). Until that time, Jesus continues His search for every lost sheep (Matt. 18:12–14). His sheep are to yield themselves to Him for His useful service until, at last, they “will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps. 23:6).Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.
Dr. Rogers used to say that you become like what you worship, as you read verse 6 you can see where he got that from...those who make idols and trust idols become like them...they cannot hear, speak, see, walk, they can't do anything...if you trust in idols you become like them! Spiritually DEAD!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY...WHEN WE WORSHIP JESUS IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH WE BECOME LIKE HIM, WE ARE CONFORMED AND TRANSFORMED TO BE LIKE JESUS. WHO DO YOU TRUST? WHO DO YOU LOVE? WHO OR WHAT DO YOU WORSHIP?
Psalm 115
1 Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your faithful love, because of Your truth.
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. 5 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. 6 They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. 7 They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot make a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them.
9 Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and shield. 10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is their help and shield. 11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and shield. 12 The Lord remembers us and will bless ⌊us⌋. He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron; 13 He will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. 14 May the Lord add to ⌊your numbers⌋, both yours and your children’s. 15 May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 16 The heavens are the Lord’s, but the earth He has given to the human race. 17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord, nor any of those descending into the silence ⌊of death⌋. 18 But we will praise the Lord, both now and forever. Hallelujah!
FATHER GOD, HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD,
enable us to worship YOU in Spirit and in truth...Lord Jesus enable us to clearly hear YOUR voice and to distinguish YOUR voice. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear YOU and YOU alone. Grant us wisdom to stay close to the shepherd that laid down HIS life so that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
let it be!
love,
m