The Good Shepherd - part 1
In John 10 we have this grand statement of Christ, describing himself by saying "I AM the good shepherd". Whilst this statement is linked to the I AM the door expression earlier in the chapter, it is more descriptive and shows us in even more depth to the love of Christ. As I took a trip out of my life in the city to the countryside and saw the sheep wandering the hills of Wales, how helpless they seemed. I was struck by this statement of Christ eluding to himself as the good shepherd. In Middle Eastern times the shepherd was a well know character - where I live in busy London we don’t see many. If your not a city boy like me you would see in the green hills of the UK some sheep in the fields peaceful grazing. In Christ's day the shepherd role was probably as prevalent as the officer worker or retail assistant is today. Christ draws on this well know role to demonstrate to his people that he is the good shepherd and to help us better understand his care for us. 1. The appointment of the Shepherd A Shepherd was chosen or appointed (by means of ownership or hired hand) and has a charge to take care of the sheep. John 10 tells us the Father has appointed Christ to this shepherd role (alluded to in v 11, v17 and most of all v 18). Christ not only is appointed to be a shepherd but is appointed to purchased the sheep (which we will come onto later) and make them his sheep - all the more precious. He is described as THE good shepherd. Remember the context of John 9, where the Pharisees threw this blind man (that Christ had healed) out of the temple: so Christ found this blind man and restored him spiritually. The point here (in talking to the Pharisees) is that they are just like hirelings/hired people - no true commitment but to themselves and no genuine care for the flock of people. Christ is the good shepherd, accept no substitutes. (Part 1 of 5 - The name of the Shepherd, the know Shepherd, the slain Shepherd and the separating Shepherd). Jonathan
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