I used to work at The Reject Shop. For those who live outside of Australia, the Reject Shop is a shop that sells the products other larger supermarkets reject. The products are generally imports from other countries and the quality may not be as high, but many people don’t mind. In fact the Reject Shop is so successful here that you would find their outlets in every major shopping centre. Now I used to work there as a casual employee after school and eventually I became a supervisor there. But even as a supervisor, I did not care for the shop the same way a business owner might. Once I finished for the day, I was out of there without a care in the world. The business owner’s work goes on though. It continues whether the staff are there or not. In our passage today Jesus explains how he is even more invested in his people than that business owner is in his business. Let’s have a look.
Scripture: John 10:7-21 (ESV)
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Now in the previous passage we have already seen that Jesus has described himself as a shepherd. Here he explains that as a shepherd he is fully invested in the life of his flock. As a shepherd he is different from the hired hands. The hired hand sees a wolf come in to the sheepfold and decides “I am out of here!”. He has no reason to care for the sheep – his wages aren’t worth his life. But Jesus is different. He loves the sheep. His sheep are worth his life.
Jesus tells us that not only is he a shepherd, he is the Good Shepherd. He acts for the good of his sheep and that means he goes above and beyond the bare minimum. He doesn’t clock off at 5pm. Nor does he run at the first sign of trouble. He tackles the wolf head on, even though he knows that means he will have to lay down his life for his sheep. Now this is important for us to grapple with, because it shows us two really important aspects of Jesus’ work for us.
Firstly, it shows us the immense love Jesus has for us his sheep. He makes the point that his sheep include not just Israel, but lots of Gentiles too. Most of us are in that box. But not only that, he knows each sheep by name. We aren’t just a nameless and faceless sheep part of a large flock. He knows each one of us personally. As his sheep, we have a deep and personal relationship with our loving shepherd. Just take a moment to think about that. Jesus knows you. He knows your fears, your struggles, your joys, and your hopes. Incredible!
Secondly, notice Jesus’ instance that he is the one who lays down his life and that he has authority to take it up again. No one killed Jesus without his OK. Sometimes people accuse God the Father of “cosmic child abuse”, that is that the Father sent the Son without the Son’s consent. Jesus himself here says that just isn’t the truth. He freely chooses to lay down his life. But the really striking thing is that he does so “for the sheep”. He actively makes the choice to lay down his life for his sheep, to set them free.
With a shepherd like that, why wouldn’t we listen to his voice and follow him.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for freely laying down your life for us, your sheep. Please help us listen to your voice as you lead us as chief shepherd. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge:
Today, identify one area where you’re trying to take the lead instead of following the your shepherd. Spend time in prayer, asking him to again take the lead and help you follow him.