Message of the Day: Jesus Is Our Shepherd, In Him We Are Saved, Protected, and Amply Supplied!
Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:7, 9, NKJV)
In the story of the good shepherd, Jesus was continuing the teaching he had begun after healing the blind man. Among his hearers were the pharisees (John 9:40), but they could not see that he was contrasting their treatment of the blind man with his. They acted like thieves and robbers., but Jesus acted like a good shepherd. As a result the man rejected the leadership of the Pharisees, but he clearly recognized Jesus as the shepherd-savior and gladly followed him (John 10:1-6).
To explain further, Jesus likened himself to a door, by which people could come to God and so find life, freedom, protection and provision. But Jewish leaders, instead of leading people to God, exploited and oppressed them (John 10:7-10).
Shepherds themselves guard the opening of the sheepfold with their bodies when a porter is unavailable. Some say that shepherds sleep across the gateway to serve both as shepherd and door. This exposure of a shepherd to danger develops into Jesus’ reference to laying down his life for the sheep.
As “the door”, exposed himself to danger and laid down his life so we will be safe and be saved eternally, protected and amply supplied!
Sources:
Gundry, Robert H. A Srvey of the New Testament. Third Edition. Manila, Philippines: OMF Literature, Inc., 2002.
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary. New Testament. Dowbers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
MySowrd for Android. Riversoft Ministry, 2011-2019.
Olive Tree Bible Software, 1998-2020.
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