John 10: The Good Shepherd Parable: Vital Importance To Christianity

In the "Good Shepherd Parable" (John 10:1-19), Jesus taught us some of the most powerful and important foundations for Christianity. Since it's from Jesus himself, it's completely and totally authoritative. This parable gives Christians boundaries for their religion, and establishes God's leadership. In this parable, Jesus is the shepherd, and his people are the sheep of his flock (sheepfold).

1 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. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Jesus starts out by warning about others who will try to lead his people. Who is he talking about? He is making a strong proclamation here against other religious leaders, and also against spirits. He then states the real shepherd of the sheep will enter in through "the door".

 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Have you ever seen a herd of sheep gathered together closely in the field? When  the shepherd comes near them, they are happy. They stand around with him, and when he calls, they follow him closely. Sheep are very nervous. When a stranger comes near them, they start to move away as a whole group. They like a good buffer safe zone. Jesus is making a powerful proclamation here - that HE leads his Christian followers around, and that they will follow him only, and "flee" from the voice of another. Who is the voice of another? Anyone or anything that would try to get control of his sheep such as other religious leaders, and also spirits. In complete CONTRADICTION to Jesus' teaching here, many people who call themselves "Christian" believe that it is fine and acceptable to treat their religion like a buffet table, mixing and matching religions and religious components to have it their way. Others believe that it's a Godly thing to listen to and follow other religions, while yet being a "Christian". Jesus Christ teaches HIS / THE truth in John 10: 3-5.

 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I AM the door of the sheep.

Here he proclaims that he is the way from Earth to Heaven. In parable form: "the door". In blatant form: "I AM the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father [GOD], but by me." (John 14:6).

 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

Jesus is proclaiming again against other religious leaders or spirits. His sheep did not listen to them.

 9 I  am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 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.

Jesus is proclaiming the contradiction between him and thieves who try to steal souls from him.

 11 I  am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Jesus is proclaiming that not only is he "the door" to the sheep (the way for them to go from Earth to Heaven), but that he is also the Good Shepherd (the one who leads them through). When he says he will give his life for the sheep, he is talking about paying for their sins with his death, so that they can receive Salvation. The "hireling" is again - another religious leader or spirit other than Jesus Christ. The "wolf" is the devil.

 14 I AM the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.  16 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.

Jesus knows who is his, and proclaims that his people know him. When he says "I lay down my life for the sheep", again he is talking about his death payment for their sins. Verse 16 talks about other sheep beyond his regular flock that he will save... He is talking about non-Jewish people. First God chose the Jews. And the original Christians were all Jews.

 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus is proclaiming that NO ONE has power over him. But he willfully gives his life for his sheep, that they can get into Heaven, and be his. (Read all about why this must be on our Salvation section.) Jesus then proclaims that he has the power to bring himself back to life after death. He is the only one who has this power, and the only one who has ever brought them self back to life by their own power.  

 19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.