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We have been looking at the story of the healing of a man who had been blind from birth. We saw how the Pharisees believed Him to be a sinner possessed by a Devil. The healed man believed that He was the promised Christ. Some doubted and to those we see in this lesson, simple childlike stories being told about His true identity.
The Pharisees had just accused Jesus of being an imposter, they were the true "Shepherds" of Israel. Here in these stories, Jesus describes who the true shepherd really is.
First He tells us who is not the true shepherd. He is the "false shepherd", who Jesus calls a thief and a robber. He is motivated by selfish pride and his purpose is to do harm to the flock and the owner. Notice this false shepherd does not enter by the door. He climbs in some other way. We are always amazed at the cunning and resourcefulness of those who are busy tearing down the work of the Lord.
Notice the true shepherd approaches by the way of the door and because he is recognized, the door is opened to him. Notice to, the relationship of the sheep to the shepherd.
Notice that the Jews do not understand the meaning of this story. Jesus spoke a parable to them and they understood Him not. Why? They had a great conceit for their own knowledge but they had no respect the knowledge of Jesus.
Notice, in the parable, Christ is both the Door and the Shepherd. "No one comes to the Father, accept by Me." He is the true Shepherd. "All that came before Me are thieves and robbers." There was an effort then and would continue until His second coming, to keep people from following Him, but the sheep did not hear them. Notice what we have as "sheep" that follow the "true Shepherd". We have "salvation" and the privilege of going "in and out". This speaks of the Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints. Matthew Henry says of this, "True believers are at home in Christ, but occasionally, we leave the sheep fold. When we do, we are not shut out like strangers but have the liberty to come back in again. When we come back in, we are not shut out as trespassers but are again at home in Christ." So first, we have salvation and the privilege of going in and out.
Secondly, we have "protection". The "Good Shepherd" will lay down His life for His sheep. When He sees the wolf coming, He does not run. Christ laid down His life for us that we might have abundant life, free from the wolf called Satan.
Then, having been speaking to the Jews, He tells them, "I have other sheep that are not of this fold, not Jews, and I must bring them also." Who are these "other sheep"? All those who, in the process of time, will accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, are here called "His sheep". "Them, also, I must bring." All mankind is in need of a Savior, "and they will heed My voice". How? By the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. "So there will be but one flock." All believers will become one in Christ.
Why does Jesus say that the Father loves Him? "Because I lay down my Life that I might take it up again." Here Jesus speaks of the crucifixion and the resurrection. Why does He say, "I lay down my life"? Didn't the Jews take it from Him? No, Jesus said, "No one takes it from me." "I have the power to lay it down and to take it up again." "This I know because the Father has told me."
Now there was, again, a division amongst the Jews. Some said, "Why listen to Him?" "Surly He has a Demon, He is mad." Others said, "These are not the words of one who had a Demon." "Can anyone possessed by a Demon open the eyes of a blind man?" There was a division one that has never been healed. Divisions are easier made than mended. Even today, men differ in their evaluation of Jesus.
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