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    February 4, 2007

    John 10 - To Seek And To Save That Which Was Lost

    One who is familiar with these passages might at first become puzzled as to why I chose to use this verse as a title since it is not found within the gospel of John. This enlightening study has shown me that I am very capable of error if I do not take the proper amount of time and study on a subject before drawing a conclusion. Even more so it has been such a blessing, opening my eyes to the proper understanding of other scripture outside of these passages, as well as the proper understanding of the verse that I chose for the title.

    I begin this study by providing a bit of information that can be useful, not only in this study, but in other studies which make reference to the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. A shepherd and his sheep have a very unique relationship which is not found in other human/animal relationships. They are not at all similar to our common every day household pets. Sheep become aware of whom their master is, recognizing his very voice. Once sheep become familiar with the voice of the one who cares for them, they will flee from anyone else who may try to call them. They are considered to be very dumb, fragile, and easily spooked. This chapter and teaching begins by telling us that there exists a sheepfold - a place that usually has walls made of stone and, at times, reeds. A shepherd will graze his flock in the fields during the day and secure his flock in a sheepfold at night to protect them. Usually flocks from several shepherds will be secured in a single sheepfold together.

    The sheepfold’s main purpose is to protect the flocks from animals of prey, thieves and robbers. Usually one of the shepherds is responsible for securing the entrance of the sheepfold by sleeping with his body blocking the way. In the morning, when a shepherd comes for his flock, the porter (defined here as a gatekeeper) will identify him as one who has sheep within this shared sheepfold, allowing him entry. When the shepherd enters and begins to call his sheep, those sheep not familiar with his voice will flee to the far side of the sheepfold. Those sheep that are familiar with him will gather around him. The shepherd will then call his flock out of the sheepfold and lead them to the area which he has chosen for grazing that day. The distance from the sheepfold is often quite far.

    John 10:1 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.

    We find in the previous chapter that Jesus has recently given sight to a man who had been blind since birth. The Pharisees question him harshly and repeatedly attempting to catch him in a lie. They reviled him and cast him out. When Jesus found him afterwards there where some of the Pharisees present as Jesus stated:

    The Pharisees saw only what they wanted to see. They saw not the truth but instead were looking for the Messiah to come adorned as a King. They could not believe that a man from Nazareth could be the Christ that was to save them. They looked instead for a warrior in armor who would conquer their enemies and set them free. They were made blind by the truth and refused to believe it.

    This chapter contains a descriptive story told by Jesus describing the Pharisees and how they have treated His people.

    John 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

    Having studied these passages extensively I have found that Jesus appears to be quoting a prophecy from the Old Testament. In these passages our Lord puts forth a vivid picture worth noting as we introduce the word picture at hand.

    From Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34 we find such statements as:

    We must not lose sight of the fact that both the shepherd, as well as those who come to steal, are able to enter into this sheepfold - albeit by different methods. Because both the thief and the shepherd are able to enter, these passages cannot be referring to regeneration. We find, in the Old Testament, passages referenced above, as well as others from the New Testament, that the Pharisees did not love the sheep and were interested in only providing for themselves. They were covetous (Luke 16:14), took advantage of widows (Mark 16:14), and turned God’s temple into a den of thieves (Matthew 21:13). They further plotted to kill Jesus because they were afraid that all the people would eventually believe him and find the entrance to greener pastures (John 11:47-53). Thus, in a sense, they determined to rob the people from Him by taking His life or more accurately stated, by preventing Him from finding that which was lost.

    Verse16 tells us that there is yet another fold which is not referred to in this context. Therefore, these which are of this sheepfold are not all inclusive of the Good Shepherds flock. Jesus explains this in Matthew 15:24 when He tells us that He did not come only for the lost sheep of Israel. Even the Apostles did not come to fully understand this until Peter was given a vision and was called to go unto the Gentiles. We must keep this important fact in mind, as we study these passages, because there are certain events which can take place to a portion of the whole, as well as certain events which cannot take place except to the whole.

    John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

    In this verse we have several truths revealed to us, if we allow ourselves to understand their true meaning. I have provided explanations of each key word found not only in this passage, but throughout this study which best defined its intended meaning.

    A “porter” is a door keeper - one in charge of a gate or door, or the guardian of an entrance. Note that, in this verse, the porter opens the door only to the shepherd. Looking ahead to verse 7, we find that Jesus is the “porter”. If Jesus is the “porter”, the question is raised of whether He is also the shepherd. Would it seem reasonable for Jesus to open the door to himself? If we consider His humanly task at hand, He as a preacher came to seek out His followers and to provide salvation in the present to those which were scattered about by those false shepherds known as the Pharisees. With that, we come to understand that the “shepherd” represents Jesus as preacher, His Apostles, and all true pastors appointed thereafter. This becomes more evident as we continue this study.

    A “voice” is defined as being a sound of uttered words or simply a familiar sound. During the new birth or regeneration, every child of God is taught of God and is given a Spirit which allows him to know the truth of the gospel when he hears it preached. All His children will receive this truth, but as we read in the “Parable of the Soils” (Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15), we find different results that take place. Therefore, all the sheep that are blessed to hear the gospel preached receive it through spiritual discernment by the Holy Spirit which is within them, however many allow it to slip away.

    The word “own” is a possessive pronoun defined as being in the likeness, for example; those who understand the same language, those who are from the same country, or even from the same school of teaching or understanding. The shepherd calls his sheep, and those who are in the likeness of the shepherd respond. The shepherd, being one: “that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth ”and is following Christ in obedience. He draws out those sheep who, like himself, receive the truth, take hold of it, and choose to walk in obedience.

    A “name”is defined as that by which one is called or distinguished from others. A name can also be a title, a nickname, or any other descriptive name. But a name can also arouse thoughts and emotions in the mind. If Jesus were to refer to you as his disciple, or his child, or even his beloved, would that not arouse emotions and thoughts within you such as thoughts of excitement and joy? We are not told what the name is, but I feel certain it is not referring to their individual names.

    Their exist evidence in this verse that not all the sheep contained within are lead out. If we accept the facts presented, which give a better understanding of the words used, it becomes obvious that only a portion, or a distinguished few, isled out from this sheepfold which can consist of many sheep. We know these certain facts - that the shepherd calls His own sheep, those who are in his likeness, not all, and only those who hear his voice are lead out.

    As noted earlier, it is my understanding that the porter is Jesus, and it is He that allows the true shepherd to enter in to the sheepfold. In the O.T. passages mentioned earlier, the Lord says, “I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking”; “Behold, I, [even] I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.”

    In John6:45 we read, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. ”The sheepfold consists only of sheep. When sheep are used figuratively in scripture they only represent born again, regenerate children of God. The context is referring only to those regenerate children of God which reside as Jews, the Gentiles are not considered, see verse 16. They have all been taught of God, and have all been delivered to the Good Shepherd. Therefore, those who hear the shepherd, pastor, gospel, or more specifically the truth, and recognize it and then take hold of it, are led out of the bondage of the Pharisees unto a present salvation - being fed of green pastures and continuous fountains of fresh water.

    The scene is set. When the shepherd comes to enter into the sheepfold, it is reasonable to assume this would be the beginning of a new day. We are not specifically told who the shepherd was the previous day, but it should be safe to assume it would be the hireling spoken of in verse 12 - representing the Pharisees. In this morning of a new day, the true shepherds have arrived to take the flock out to better grazing pastures - as mentioned in verses 9 &10. This is supported in our passages taken from Jeremiah and Ezekiel. This is the day in which the Lord has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

    John 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

    The phrase “putteth forth” refers to the shepherds’ having led out those sheep that follow them, as stated in the previous verse, and conveys the thought of having compelled them to depart in a stern, though not violent, language. We are reminded time and time again to follow Christ and depart from our unrighteous ways. As mentioned earlier, I believe the use of the sheep allegory is intended to distinguish this - all the sheep in the fold are regenerate children of God. Verse 16 supports this as Jesus indicates that all within this fold are His, and there are yet others as well.

    We now come to another possessive pronoun which seems to distinguish “His own” from the whole of the sheepfold. This too refers to those who have chosen to walk with Christ, to follow him into greener pastures - those who have not only come to know the truth when they hear it, but also have dedicated themselves to living in the truth.

    Once the sheep are led out, the shepherd then “goeth before them” by being their example, leading them in the way they should live. If we look ahead to verse 9,we find that being “putteth forth” is conditional upon mans decision and his taking hold of the earnest of the Spirit. We are commanded to believe in Christ, and in fulfilling this command we put all our trust and confidence in Him and follow His instructions as He leads us through our journey.

    John 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

    Looking ahead to verse 8, we can determine that the reference to the “stranger” refers to the thieves and robbers, supported by the context. Having now become familiar with the passages from Jeremiah and Ezekiel, we understand that the sheep will not follow the stranger and, in fact, never did. The stranger does not care for the flock. Instead, he scatters and steals from the flock. He drives them away and can never lead them out into the greener pastures. The stranger hides the truth from them in order to keep them under his control and every whim. The picture is set in Ezekiel, “Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet ? ”. It seems it was not enough that they stole everything from the flock, but they persisted to trample them under foot as well.

    John 10:6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

    This verse tells us that those to whom Jesus spoke did not understand its meaning. We find in verse 7 that He spoke it “again”, but used a different word picture. It is with this word picture, when compared to the previous, that we come to a better understanding of the parable.

    John 10:7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

    Jesus is the door which leads to salvation and peace, and through this door they find green pastures.

    Again from Jeremiah and Ezekiel we read, “I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase ”; “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely”. “I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and [in] a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel ”; “I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD . ”; “I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up [that which was] broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment . ”

    If the sheep will hear and take hold of the truth they will be led to green pastures and will be allowed to go in and out, enjoying salvation in the present by finding peace, liberty, and nourishment.

    Note: Many denominations of both the Armenians and Calvinist use this verse to suggest the path to eternal salvation. I hope that if it has not yet been clearly established that the sheep are already born again and this is instead referring to a present salvation, such will be the case forth coming.

    John 10:8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

    The law of the Pharisees did not lead the sheep to freedom or peace, and was not nourishing. Instead, it led them into bondage - robbing them of these things. The Pharisees added such things to the law for their own benefit and stature.

    Once again from the O.T. references we read such statements as, “For both prophet and priest are profane ”; “Ihave not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied ”; “Behold, I [am] against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves anymore; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them ”; “But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings ”.

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

    Again, it is clearly set forth that Christ is the door through which, if any of His sheep should enter, they will find the liberty promised them from the beginning. Here we have an act of entering in which is conditioned upon man. We also find in this verse that those who enter in “shall be saved” - the sure sign of present salvation being conditioned upon mans choice.

    John 10:10 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.

    Again, reference is made to the Pharisees. The damage which they have inflicted is described as killing and destroying. Christ came that the sheepmight have life and might have it more abundantly. This is again a reference to a conditional salvation –conditioned upon mans choice, which is the context of these passages from beginning to end.

    John 10:11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

    The true shepherd of the flock - the one who has bought the sheep, the one who truly cares for the sheep - stands in hope that they will follow him. He will stand between them and any danger that might come near or threaten. David is an example of this when he risked his own life to fight both a lion and a bear that had taken one of his father’s sheep. Jesus is most assuredly the Good Shepherd -one who cares most for the sheep of His flock. He laid down His life for the sheep.

    John 10:12 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.

    Jesus refers to the Pharisees as “hirelings” in this passage - to give light to just how they are toward the sheep. A hireling is one who is hired to watch over the sheep. The Pharisees have tried to earn their way into heaven by working for God as overseers of the flock - trying to impress Him. A hireling does not own the sheep and are not valued by him. Therefore he has nothing to lose when the wolves come, fleeing to save his own life - leaving the sheep unprotected. The Pharisees had neither concern nor love for the sheep, only for themselves.

    John 10:13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

    What more can be said against the Pharisees? They were not appointed as shepherds, yet they played the role of Pastor to the flock. They placed burdens upon the flock that they could not endure, driving them away from the door of the sheepfold so they could not escape. As Jesus said in the gospel of Luke, “Woeunto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered .”

    John 10:14I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine.

    Christ is most assuredly the “good shepherd”. Glory be to God for His precious gift. Christ knows His sheep in a way we will not be able to comprehend in this lifetime. However, a distinction is made that must not be overlooked. If there were to be no distinction He could have simply said, “… and I am known of them.” The understanding would have been clear. Instead, He uses a possessive pronoun which indicates, as we have already discussed concerning the possessive pronoun “own” in verses 3 and 4, that these are in His likeness. Those who have come to know the truth know Christ, for through the truth He is made manifest unto us. Those who walk in obedience, as He has instructed them, have begun to walk in His likeness.

    John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

    Just as the Father has loved the Son and the Son has loved the Father, also they have both loved the sheep.

    John 10:16 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.

    In this passage, Jesus hints at a portion of the mystery which is to be revealed fully at a later time. We are able to look at the whole New Testament and know that He is referring to the Gentiles when He mentions the “other sheep, which are not of this fold”. He reveals that when the two shall be brought together, they will exist as a single fold having one shepherd.

    In this passage, we have reference to these Gentiles as being sheep. I made the comment earlier that to be sheep, they must already be regenerate children. The process of the new birth has already taken place. We know that we are not forced or acted upon as puppets, so one must consider what is being said here. The statement “them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice” refers to something other than the call to be born again and raised from the dead. This is instead the gospel call, because we remain to be in a context of present salvation. The word “bring” conveys the meaning of leading - leading to a particular destination, to lead by accompanying, or to attach to one’s self as an attendant, to guide, direct, impel. This word does not indicate that they are being taken, moved, transferred, or drawn - just simply led.

    John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again .

    In this verse Jesus reveals the mystery concerning “His sheep”, those which He possesses differently than the whole. Please bear with me as I explain.

    The statement above is found several times in the gospels. It tells us that if we lay down our life, if we give up the life we know for a life in Christ, we will find our life. In verse 10 of this study, Jesus tell us that we can have life and have it more abundantly. Jesus is our greatest example. He literally gave His life for His sheep and we, by His example, should give our lives for both our Lord and our brethren. We must forego many things we currently do. We must change our lifestyles and begin living our lives for Him in obedience. By doing these things we hand over our lives to Him and to His righteousness and goodness. Therefore we become His, in a different perspective of ownership. In an eternal perspective all of God’s children have been given to Christ by the Father and we are His possession, His sheep of the flock. In a present perspective we must give our lives to Him, becoming His sheep, knowing His voice, and following Him in obedience. Until we do this we cannot follow Him through the door and out into the green pastures where the flowing streams of life are found. We will not be fed nor our thirst quenched.

    Paul further supports this understanding when he exhorts that it is now our reasonable service to proffer ourselves as a living sacrifice acceptable unto God.

    John 10:18 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.

    Just as no man had the power to take Jesus life, only He Himself laid it down, no man can take our lives away from us and force us to live for Christ. Only we can decide to lay down our lives for Him. Just as Christ had the power to lay down His life and to take it again, we as born again children now have the power to lie down our current lives and through the power of the Holy Spirit, take it again unto amore abundant life filled with the fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

    John 10:22And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

    John 10:23And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

    We now move to a different time and place, yet the teaching remains the same.

    John 10:24Then came the Jews round about him,and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ,tell us plainly .

    John 10:25Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me .

    So many people, even Pharisees, such as Nicodemus, knew that the signs and wonders they were seeing Jesus perform could be of no other, yet they refused to accept it.

    John 10:26But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

    Jesus does not reply as He did to others, telling them their father is the devil. He suggests they are capable of believing, although they do not. Again, they know these things could be done by no other but the Messiah. Jesus tells them they believe not because they have not accepted the truth. They refuse to give up their ways and follow Him Spiritually.

    John 10:27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

    Jesus repeats what He said in the beginning of our study. Those who give their lives for Him are those who know His voice and follow Him in righteousness. They embrace the truth and lay down their own lives for a life in Christ. They forego the world and the things thereof and embrace heavenly things.

    John 10:28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

    To those, because they are given the same as all the sheep, He gives eternal life. As we see in the next passage, because they are raised from the dead by the Father and only the Father has the power over life and death. No man is capable of changing that.

    John 10:29 My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father’s hand.

    We find in John 6, further teaching on how the Father delivers the sheep to Christ. The Father draws them, lifting them up out of death and darkness and places them into the possession of the Son. Of all that the Father gives the Son, the Son will not cast out a single one. Nothing is able to separate them from the love of the Father. As Paul says:

    Conclusion: History

    The Pharisees had been as hirelings watching over the flock. They had not been attending to the flock as one ordained of God would have. Instead of leading them out of the bondage of the sheepfold and through the gate into greener pastures, they had kept them bound up, not allowing them freedom for fear they would loose control over them. I believe this to be the picture painted of the days leading up to the morning which this teaching begins. Now the True Shepherd has come to seek out those who will live for Him. He has come to save them in a present sense from not only the Pharisees, but from this perverse and wicked world, by leading the faithful of His flock out to green pastures. Out of fear of losing their grasp on the sheep they eventually plotted against Jesus life, hoping to eliminate any chance He might have of upsetting the kingdom which they had established full of rules and laws which even they were not able to fulfill.

    Conclusion: Spiritually

    Christ has reconciled us before God; He has made us to be holy in the eyes of the Father. It is now our reasonable service to present ourselves a living sacrifice unto God. Victims having subjected ourselves to His righteousness, dying daily to live more abundantly in Christ Jesus, suffering persecution for His name sake. Denying the desires of our sinful flesh and heeding the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He has enabled us to understand and to embrace the greater glory. He has provided us with the power to overcome. We are to be as saints, well pleasing before His eyes. It is the logical next step for us as there deemed children of God to take.

    Conclusion: A Practical Lesson

    Those who have within them the Holy Spirit to discern the truth found in the gospel and have been enabled to take hold of it, yet refuse, subject themselves to the bondages of this world. They remain as sheep locked up in a cage unable to be nourished and their thirst quenched. Those who are kept from understanding the true gospel by false teachers and teachers of half truths are denied the fullness which is available to them. They are as sheep lead around on a leash.

    Conclusion: The Error

    At first glance, I could see where regeneration and eternal salvation could be misunderstood in these passages but certain parts cannot stand the test. I tried to support the regeneration and eternal salvation view which so many understand these passages to refer, but it kept crumbling apart. Even my initial view of conversion and present salvation crumbled to a point because I was trying to make it say far more than what it was teaching.

    Furthermore, with certain passages it is easy to assume that Jesus suggest that those to whom He speaks are not sheep, or born again. Another assumption which is often made is that all the sheep, each and every one, hear His voice and follow Him. I have provided evidence to the contrary, but as with all things spoken by man, these things should be tested and spiritually discerned.

    Please consider carefully the things which you have read. I do not ask that you believe me, only that you take these things to the Lord in prayer seeking guidance in the truth and discerning them carefully through the Holy Spirit. Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.

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    Thank you for taking the time to read this study. I hope you found this study to be a blessing, and that it has in some way increased your knowledge of our Lord and Savior. If you have questions, or would like to leave a comment, please do not hesitate to do so.

    You may also email questions to barry.laminack@pbcmail.org

    Grace to you,
    Barry Laminack

    Topical References: Children of God, Conversion, Inheritance (Earnest/Reward), Inheritance (Reserved in Heaven), John, New Testament, Old Testament Prophesy, Promises of God, Scripture Comment, Spiritual Life & Death |

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