Thoughts on the Gospel of John (77) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up come other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10:1.2.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (77)
As in many other passages in the gospels the Son of God here speaks parabolically in order to illustrate a truth. He uses the image of a shepherd and his sheep that was well-known to His listeners from the Old Testament. The Lord had promised to visit His people and feed His flock like a shepherd. (Isaiah 40:10.11; Ezekiel 34). That shepherd was now in the midst of His people in the Person of Jesus.

Before Christ appeared, however, men had claimed to be leading people to God, yet they had, in fact, been pursuing their own interests, e.g. Theudas, who purported "to be somebody" or Judas of Galilee, who "drew away many people after him"(Acts 5:36.37). Such had not been authorised by God and had not entered by the "door" appointed by God. They had slipped in like thieves and enriched themselves to the detriment of the flock.

By contrast, Jesus Christ, the shepherd of the sheep, had come to the people of Israel by the way appointed by God. Promises and prophecies had indicated, for example, that Christ would be the son of a virgin and be born in Bethlehem (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:1). These and many other prophecies made in very diverse times were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In this sense He had entered by the "door" (the Scriptures) and was thus the shepherd of Israel acknowledged by God.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Exodus 20:8-21:6 · Luke 8:40-48