Jesus came not to merely be the hired keeper but came as the one (the only one), who was and is, completely committed to us - even to His own death and resurrection. Jesus is there to protect, love, and save us from destruction giving us eternal life. These verses tell us that though Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy God’s people (John 10:10). But the good shepherd is there to save them. John 10 tells us how thieves and wolves come to destroy the sheep. It was a loving message of the coming Christ, the good shepherd. Ezekiel 34 foretold of the Messiah who would, like a true shepherd, come to caringly keep God’s people.

Jesus is that loving protector and caretaker for His flock. He loved and shielded them and if necessary, he would lay down his life for them. In chapter 10, Jesus illustrates how the shepherd cares for his flock, protecting them from weather, thieves, and predatory animals. He had a genuine loving concern for what belonged to him. Since there were no doors, the shepherd would often sleep or sit in the opening, ready to guard his sheep from harm.īeing different than a hired keeper who might run away in the face of danger, the flock belonged to the shepherd who would stay and defend them. The sheepfold was a pen, a cave, or an area backed by stone walls. He would gather the sheep into a sheepfold at night for their protection. A shepherd tended his flock day and night. Jesus is the good shepherd to His believers just as the shepherds were of their livestock. I know my own sheep, and they know me just as my Father knows me and I know my Father. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15: “I am the good shepherd.

In His own words, Jesus tells us in John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd.

Jesus the good shepherd is referenced in the book of John, chapter 10.

Jesus the shepherd