Jesus continues his answer to the Pharisees after the man born blind has been given his sight. They had asked him if they are blind also. Jesus had replied that they see well enough to stone him to death, therefore, God’s judgment remains upon them. He now raises a metaphor very familiar to all Jews and all who study the Old Testament of the Bible:
“’Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber’” (Jn 10:1).
Take some time right now to read the following, which shows exactly what Pharisees had studied, memorized, and clearly recognized in Jesus’ words: Jeremiah 23:1-40; Ezekiel 34:1-30; and Zechariah 11:1-17. There can be no question they understand exactly what Jesus has just said in Chapter 9, that their guilt remains because they see their own disunity clearly in plotting to kill him.
Having implied that the Pharisees are illegitimate leaders of Israel as evil as thieves and robbers, Jesus contrasts the disunity between them and himself:
“’But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep’” (Jn 10:2).
Think about why sheep are kept in a sheepfold at night. It is for protection against predators like wolves and lions. It also provides for perfect unity with the shepherd, as he talks to them and calls them by name because he knows each one of them personally. I think of this as the ideal church, where we are “kept” in the fold by leaders – or “gatekeepers” - who love us, guide us, and call us by name because they invest in us:
“’To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out’” (Jn 10:3).
I have never before focused on leading us out of the fold, out of the church. But this makes sense. Jesus leads us out in perfect unity from the church-fold into life in the world-pasture, where good things and bad things can happen. Do you picture Jesus leading you through life every step, every day?
“’When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice’” (Jn 10:4).
He leads us not only through life on earth, but we are to follow him to the cross in perfect unity, and to restoration into eternal life with him in heaven!
“’A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers’” (Jn 10:5).
Here is where, tragically, the metaphor breaks down in real life due to temptation, disobedience, disunity, warnings, and judgment. Why?
Because we do follow strangers in sin, and we do know the voices of evil.
But Jesus neither leaves us unprotected nor forsakes us. This is the miracle of his love on the cross, and it should lead us straight to repentance. When it does, when at last we reject all voices but his and flee from the voices of evil, he awaits with open arms of never-ending love.
How could a short passage be more packed with power than this one?
Yet, the Jews surrounding him, like many in our culture today, are so removed from the truth they cannot even recognize it face to face:
“This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them” (Jn 10:6).
Sheep are often looked upon as dirty and stupid, but not by those who know them to be meek and loyal to their herder.
Do you know your master’s voice? Do you flee from strangers’ voices whose motive is only to lead you to destruction?
Don’t break the metaphor of perfect unity with Jesus and allow worldly leaders to lead you astray!
Jesus has much more to say about this metaphor. Hurry back to Streamside next time!