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The Gospel of John, The Period of Conflict - The Clash of Belief and Unbelief, The discourse on the Good Shepherd, Part XXIX, John 10:1-10 - Lesson 76
Psalm 23 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Read Verses John 10:1-10 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The man born blind leaves the fold of Israel for the flock of the good shepherd.
The Word of God is the light of God because it shines light on error and allows us to know truth.
So Jesus now compares the Jewish fold to his flock.
He is the great story teller.
This story is a simple story understandable by all who wish to understand.
We are to picture a sheepfold.
It is an enclosed area of thorn bushes or stone designed to keep the sheep together and to keep them protected.
Each village had a sheepfold that was the common property of all the local farmers.
It was usually enclosed by a wall of 10 to 12 feet high.
As night fell a number of different shepherds would lead their flocks into the sheepfold.
The shepherds would go to their homes leaving their sheep in the care of a porter who would protect the sheep against thieves and robbers.
In the morning each shepherd would return and call his sheep by name and they would respond to his voice and he would lead them out to pasture.
Sheep would not go with another shepherd but wait for the voice of their own shepherd. They knew his voice. |