The Lord Jesus told the Jewish men how to know the true Shepherd sent by God to His people, and, it is plain He was Himself their true Shepherd. He told them something more, “I am the door of the sheep. By Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.”
It was only by giving His life that the Lord Jesus could be the “door” or way for any to enter God’s “fold”. To “enter in,” a man must believe Him. There is no other “door” or way.
The Shepherd Gives His Life
And it had been written by one of the prophets that the Shepherd would be struck as though by an enemy’s sword:
“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the Man that is My Fellow (Companion), saith the Lord of hosts: smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered,” (Zech. 13:7).
Jesus later said those words to His disciples the evening before He was crucified. He knew He was that Shepherd who was to die, and the disciples were scattered as sheep for a short time (Matt. 26:31).
Jesus told those men, “I lay down My life for the sheep.” That meant He willingly gave His life to save all who would “enter in”, or believe Him. He also said that He knew “His sheep” and that He was “known” by them.
These words were said to men of Jerusalem and we might think the words about the Good Shepherd giving His life for the sheep could not be for us now, but Jesus told them,
“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice: and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd.”
Others Promised Blessing
From those words it is plain He thought of others besides the people, or “flock” of Israel, who had been chosen by God, because the other nations were worshiping idols. But the Lord knew there were many in the nations then who were tired of idols and ready to believe God. After Jesus had given His life and “taken it again”, as He said (verse 18), He told those who loved Him to go to all nations. These words about the Good Shepherd have been told many times, over and over, so His “voice” has been heard, many have believed.
There is only one “Door”, or way, to enter Christ, the Shepherd, who gave His life for the “sheep”.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6).
Further Meditation:
1. What prophecy shows that Jesus was to die?
2. How do sheep make a very good illustration of what we are like?
3. In Hymns for the Little Flock you will find that #103 is a wonderful song on this subject. You might want to sing and enjoy it today.