The teachings of this chapter are closely related to the last chapter.
Verse 38 The blind man was cast out by the blind leaders of the blind.
Cast out by religious society, excommunicated from the Temple.
In these circumstances the Lord reveals Himself as
1. I am the door Verse 9.
2. I am the good shepherd Verse 11.
Verse 1-6 According to Verse 6, Verses 1 to 5 was a parable.
Verse 1 The sheepfold was Judaism and to it the true Shepherd had come.
He came in the appointed way. All others both past and present who came “some other way” are thieves and robbers.
Verse 3 When the true Shepherd came the Porter i.e. the power of God through the Spirit, opened the door. The false shepherds tried to keep Him out.
The sheep hear His voice—the true Israel. “His own sheep.”
He calleth “His own sheep” by name and he leadeth them out. Philip—Nathaniel—Mary—Martha—Lazarus.
Verse 4 Putteth forth his own sheep i.e. when he “brought his own sheep outside”—the Jewish fold.
He walks before them—Just as the Shepherd did in Eastern countries—the sheep follow.
Let us project this thought. He passed through death gloriously confounding our every foe, has entered heaven—we will follow.
Kindly take note.
Psalm 22-23-24 form a trilogy.
Psalm 22 The Good Shepherd giving His life for His Sheep.
Psalm 23 The Great Shepherd brought again from the dead by the blood of the everlasting covenant, tenderly cares for the sheep.
Psalm 24 The Chief Shepherd appear as King of glory to own and reward the sheep.
The true sheep will flee from strangers and will not recognize his voice.
Abundant life
Those who believe on Him possess that life abundant which has triumphed over death, but so few realize the potency and the power and the blessing of it.
This abundant life:
Has triumphed over death.
We are risen with Christ.
Seated in the heavenlies in Christ.
Complete in Him.
Sons of God.
Heirs of God.
Indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
One spirit with the Lord.
Identified with Him.
Members of His body.
1 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be unto God who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ. Life with a capital “L.”
John 3:7 The Indwelling.
John 4:14 The Infilling.
John 7:38 The Overflowing.
Verse 16 One flock. One Shepherd.
Compare Ephesians 4:4-6 and Ephesians 1:20-23.
Verse 17 On this account the Father loves Me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
The Fathers love, for the Son, expressed—the reason given.
This great fact should draw forth our love.
Lord Jesus I love Thee etc.
Verse 18 The voluntary nature of the sacrifice of Christ.
I lay it down of myself.
I have power to lay it down = right to act.
I have authority to take it again.
For the voluntary nature of Christ’s sacrifice see Philippians 2:5-8.
After talking about the humility of the Lord expound the exaltation and glory. Verse 9-11 Praise the Lord!!
Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
What have we made Him in our lives?
The Lordship of Christ.
Verse 19 There was a division, then.
There is a division, now.
Verse 24-25 If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
The Lord had been with them for nearly 3 years.
Think for a moment of the miracles—should there have been any doubt.
Consider Chapter 5 where He calls the fourfold witness of
1. John the Baptist
2. His works
3. The Father
4. The Scriptures O.T.
Verse 26 You do not hear my voice—You do not believe me because you are not my sheep.
Verse 27 The contrast (1) “My sheep hear my voice” (2) “I know them” (3) “they follow Me.”
Sheep are helpless and dependent on the Shepherd; they are harmless, weak and foolish, and more than any animal they lose their way and go astray.
Does this not aptly describe us?
But we are His sheep, for whom He died, and He keeps and guards, protects and shields, feeds and guides His sheep, because they are His property. He knows them—they hear His voice and follow Him.
Verse 28
1. I give unto them eternal life.
2. They shall never perish. They shall in no wise perish.
3. And no one shall pluck them out of my hand.
Verse 29 The Father, who gave the sheep, in the first place to Christ, is greater and mightier than all. Therefore no one is able to snatch them out of His hand. Double security.
Verse 30 I and the Father are one.
In the Greek the word “One” is neuter.
Not one in person, but one in substance and essence.
The Lord attests His Deity.
Verse 33 The people called this blasphemy—making Himself God.
For this reason they sought to stone Him.
Now let us revert a little.
We have in these verses two of the greatest doctrines in the Bible.
1. The Deity of Christ
2. The Eternal security of the believer.
In support of the Deity of Christ consider the following scriptures.
John 1:1. John 1:18. The only begotten God.
John 20:28 “My Lord and my God” since this statement was unrebuked by Christ surely it is equivalent to an assertion on his own part as His claim to Deity.
Romans 9:5 Who is over all, God blessed forever.
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Eternal security of the believer.
Consider the above verses slowly.
Consider Romans 8:35-39.
Consider Ephesians 1:13; 4:30.
Take all the great Gospel texts—Eternal life.
The Hireling
Knows about sheep.
Sees the wolf.
Leaves the sheep.
Preserves himself.
The Shepherd (Guards)
Knows the sheep.
Sees the sheep.
Protects his sheep.
Preserves his sheep.
The Wolf
Catcheth the sheep.
Scatters the sheep.
The Shepherd (Gathers One Flock)
They listen to the same voice.
They walk the same path.
They have the same object of affection.
The Stranger
1. Seeks to entice with the voice.
2. Repulsive: The sheep flee.
3. Unknown: A different kind.
The Shepherd (Guides)
1. He calls: Recognition of voice.
2. He puts forth: Obedience to his instruction.
3. He goes before: Follow his example.
The Thief (Takes)
Steals—appropriating for oneself.
Kills—taking the life.
Destroy—taking away effectiveness.
The Shepherd (Gives)
Gives himself.
Gives life.
Gives abundant life.