Christ’s heart for his sheep – John’s Gospel chapter 10 verses 1 to 21
An illustration: False versus true shepherds
‘Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. … 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
John 10:1-6
The Explanation: “I am the Gate”
7 Therefore Jesus said again, ‘Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.
John 10:7-9
“I am the Good Shepherd”
14 ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:14-15
A divided response
19 The Jews [religious rulers] who heard these words were again divided. 20 Many of them said, ‘He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?’ 21 But others said, ‘These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’
John 10:19-21
New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
