I am the good shepherd

John 10:11-21

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. 

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

The Jews who heard these words were again divided. Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?” 

But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Now Jesus chooses to describe himself as the good shepherd. The phrase sums up so much: the close, personal relationship between himself and each of his followers; the absolute security they have in him; his leadership and guidance; his constant company; his unfailing care; his life, 'laid down for the sheep.

Again, his claims divide his hearers.

Why?

Jesus is the good shepherd, he lays down his life for the sheep on the cross.

The unbelievers are the hired men, they run away when dangers come, they won't care the life of the sheep.

The man who belongs to Jesus will understand what Jesus says, for the sheep knows the voice of the shepherd, and the good shepherd knows his sheep.

There are two kinds of crowd, one believed Jesus is the Son of God for the open the eyes of the blind. But others didn't understand what Jesus said.

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好牧人有個特質：

1.牧人為羊捨命，顧工只是為了薪水。

2.好牧人與羊群有密切關係。而且是雙向的關係。

3.要找羊圈外的羊回來。猶太人以為耶和華只是他們的牧者。好牧人不會去管是那一家來的。我們都是主的羊。我們沒有理由去輕視教會任何一位弟兄姊妹。

耶穌是主動捨命而是准許人來抓他。他有權柄捨了，也要取回來。牧人被野獸攻擊而死，是出於無奈，因為無法勝過野獸。耶穌卻是自願捨命。

猶太人無法認同，就說耶穌是鬼附的，但是一個罪人怎麼能夠行神蹟呢?連瞎子、乞丐都知道這是偉大的事，看懂了。但是這些讀很多書的人卻看不懂。

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How?

Be a real sheep in Jesus's pasture, enjoy the freedom and safety in God's garden.