How Sheep Get Saved: Jesus as the Door, the Shepherd, and Sovereign Sacrifice (John 10:1-21)

Few truths about Christ are as precious as this: Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

This Sunday we will dig into the passage where Jesus makes this glorious announcement. In John 10:1–21, we will learn the context of this statement, what it meant to the original hearers, and what it means to us.

Indeed, in a world filled with wolves, snakes, and goats, we need a true shepherd to lead us. And more than that, we need a shepherd who will lay down his life for us. Many are the hired hands that serve themselves in the church, in the state, and in the world. But Christ is better than all others. He proves his status as being a *good* shepherd by laying down his life for his sheep. And in the same moment, he proves his divine nature, by laying down his life and taking it back up again. As we will discover, Jesus was not merely killed by others on the cross. He laid his life down as a true sacrifice. And as a true priest, he took it back up again.

These are just a few of the rich truths we will see in John 10 this week. To prepare for Sunday take time to read John 10. You can also read Ezekiel 34 and this blog post. Pray that God would grant us faith to trust Christ as our good shepherd and that he would continue to show himself faithful to his sheep.

As the Lord allows, I will see you on Sunday morning.

For His Glory and your joy in Jesus,
Pastor David
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discussion & Response Questions: John 10:1-21
What does this text reveal about the person and work of Jesus as the Good Shepherd?
What are the characteristics of Jesus’ sheep?
How does the second explanation (vv. 7-18) clarify the first (vv. 1-5)? Notice how this moves the crowd from confusion to division.
What repetition and parallels do you see in this text?
What is the proper emphasis of this text? (Is it “abundant life”?) Why or why not?
How might the setting of the first century Temple and Jesus’ opponents shape our understanding of what Jesus is saying?
What contrasts do you see between Jesus and the hired hand?
What does this reveal about the authority of Jesus, and how should it inform our understanding of the cross and resurrection?
How ought we to respond to these truths?