God has established a special relationship with each person who follows him. He knows us and we know him.
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
The people fully understood the role of the shepherd with the sheep. Jesus’ presence in this world embraced the people. God promised a shepherd would come to Israel, BUT he came to us as well. One day we’ll all, Jew and Gentile, be gathered together in the sheepfold of God.
Shepherding in Israel is much different than in America. In Israel, the shepherds have a personal relationship with the sheep. Due to the terrain and sparse vegetation, care of sheep was a bigger job than one might think. Sheep were essential to the lives of the shepherd for wool and food. They were also essential to the sacrificial system of worship in Old Testament times.
When Jesus was born, the shepherds were in the field that night watching their sheep to keep the predators away. David’s job was to watch over sheep for his family. Jesus explained his mission as a shepherd looking for lost sheep. He welcomed everyone. The devil would have us think that we need Jesus and somebody or something else. Jesus as our Savior is all we need. Trust him. Yield to him. He built the sheepfold strong and sturdy. He has not turned his back on us.
After he built the sheepfold, he purchased the sheep with his own blood. Verses 17-18 tell us therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. In verse 15 he said as the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. Verse 11 says I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Critics have made fun for 2,000 years, but the sheepfold has stood the test of time. Jesus had dying power and power to rise again. He’s still able. He’s still strong. He’s still concerned and reaching for the lost sheep. There are no places inaccessible to the Shepherd that he can’t rescue a sheep. He laid down his life, and he’ll go after and take any sheep that will obey his voice as his own and bring him into the fold. He grooms the sheep and binds up the wounds. When it’s time to be out there away from the fold, he has his eye on us. Between us and the wolves of the devil is the Shepherd. He leads us beside still waters and feeds us in green pastures.
He knows us and we know his voice. When the strangers call after us to entice us, we know it’s not the voice of the Shepherd. We have a great privilege to know the voice, touch, and will of the Shepherd. We can know where the Lord wants us. This relationship will get us home to heaven. Verse 27 says my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. We’ve all had times when we didn’t follow the Lord like we should, but we must learn to stick with him.
Verses 28-30 state and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. If God be for us, who can be against us! As we trust him, we know we’re in his care. No one can take us from him. If we choose to hold the Shepherd’s hand, we’ll make it safely home. Peter said the Chief Shepherd will appear and take us away from this old world to enter into the sheepfold forever.
I’m thankful for a Savior who watches over me like a shepherd watches his sheep. We’re more than pets to him. We’re the sheep of his pasture. By faith in our faithful Shepherd, we’ll be gathered home. Let’s stay close. Let’s do what he says. Let him lead. Let him fight the battles.
Follow him home.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 