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WE ARE SHEEP Authored by Gary Jones
INTRODUCTION To be
referred to as a lamb or a sheep is usually considered an insult. This characteristically little animal is
never associated with glory or honor.
The lion or the horse holds the distinction of representing honor and
participating in glorious feats. Even
the dog is held in high esteem for its faithfulness. The thoughts that come to mind relating to
a lamb or sheep are mutton, wool, and maybe sacrifice. The ranking of the lamb or sheep falls
close to the bottom of the hierarchical scale in honor and glory. At least the serpent conjures up fear and
respect for its stealth. The most
important thing about the nature of the lamb or sheep is it represents the
planned nature of the faith-owner. It
does not matter whether or not we like this analogy. God works with His elected children this
way. Jesus uses the lamb and sheep
reference often, and it is recorded around a dozen times in the Gospels and
sheep are mentioned in some 179 verses in the Bible (KJV). The Gospel of John devotes Chapter 10 to a
metaphor about the “Good Shepard” and sheep.
One of the most famous Psalms in the Scriptures is about how King
David thought of himself as a sheep [Psalms 23:1-6]. It is obvious the nature of the lamb and
its similarity to the nature of man is significant. What is so important about the lamb? The contextual location of the
Chapter John 10 appears, also, to have significances. The metaphor about the sheep is part of an
important trilogy of chapters, relating to the John 14:6 themes. We find a lesson on how our blindness is
healed by the Master and a lesson about our eternal resurrection surrounds
this chapter, which identifies His children as His sheep. Being aware, learning how to live, and
having the promise of eternal life are tied together in these three chapters. These instructions, also, seem to be
reminiscent of the Apostle Paul’s mysterious verse in Romans, “And those He
predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He
justified, He also glorified.” [Romans
8:30] We Are Sheep John 10 The
consistent theme that is carried throughout the Bible is that God provides
for His children as a Good Shepherd, and those who are in His fold are like
His sheep. The Pronouncement [John 10:1-6] 1.
I assure you, anyone who sneaks over
the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a
thief and a robber! The
elements in this metaphor portray a variation to the views found in other
popular lessons on morality. Lessons
do not come automatically or are part of some inherent capability. Lessons are learned under the instruction
of the Good Shepherd. This lesson is
introduced with Jesus’ assurance that His words contained in this metaphor
are the absolute truth, which is not an extreme form of relative truth. This subject of absolute truth is avoided
in most quarters because it requires an absolute source before it can be
meaningful. Jesus is the only source
for absolute truth [John 14:6]. This
is the truth that will set you free [John In this
opening verse, there is a hint that the problem of evil will be visited. There is an implication that the right and
wrong sides of this reality and its partitioning in this world will be
examined. It can be assumed based upon
Jesus’ view of the eternal perspective that this partitioning will be a
foundational theme. In fact, this
metaphor summarizes most all of Jesus teachings in a very fascinating
way. The “Living Bible” uses the word
“sneaks,” however, the Greek, eiserchomai, at
this location in the text, can be interpreted as “comes in,” which are used
sometimes meaning “coming into life.”
Given that Jesus is teaching us about the truth, these words always
have an eternal perspective and in a way refer to the new birth and
subsequent life. The word “sheepfold”
is a translation of aule, which connotes an uncovered
courtyard surrounded by protection.
This is a place reserved for the shepherd’s sheep. Trying to enter some other way constitutes
embezzlement and plunder. There are
three outstanding concepts represented in this first verse. The concepts are truth, security, and
control. These concepts are somewhat
meaningful to us mostly in our temporal domain. We are limited in our view of these concept
definitions from an eternal perspective.
The Scriptures, however, are helpful in giving us some appreciation
for the scope of these concepts and this verse. The word
“Truth,” for instance is used some 274 times in the Bible always in a direct
or indirect reference to God’s action, a human aspiration, or as a divine
attribute [Malachi 2:6 and Matthew We all seek
to attain security in many ways for our own reasons, yet, in our hearts, we
know that our security rests in God’s will.
We can take comfort in the promises in His word, which tells us that
we can be safe in Him [Isaiah 63:7, Psalm 119:116, Matthew The walls
of our sheepfold and the gate, in addition to the security, clearly tell us
that The Shepherd is in control. The
tense and the mood indicate that Jesus is speaking of both His control in the
temporal as well as His absolute eternal control. This continuous absolute control is
fundamental in God’s creation and plan.
His word tells us that “all things” are being worked for the good of
His children [Romans 2. For a shepherd enters through the gate. There is a
singular manager of the sheep, who has a unique and a controlled method of
managing this sheep enterprise. There
is just one gate, and this one and only shepherd has been assigned management
of this gate. This passageway
partitions the sheep from the outside world and the shepherd decides on all
of the passages through this gate. The
“coming into life” word is used again.
This seems to emphasize the singularity in ownership, the control, and
the future intentions of the shepherd.
Jesus comes into this life to give life to His sheep. David, the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, spent his early years
working as a shepherd. He probably
learned about sheep from his father, who was an owner of many sheep, and his
six brothers, who were trying to pass the shepherding skill on to their
younger brother as fast as they could.
David, at the end of the sibling line, was left to tend the sheep
while everyone else was out doing “manly” things like making war [1 Samuel Psalm 23 The Lord
is my shepherd, I shall Not be
in want. He makes
me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of Righteousness For His
name sake, Even
though I walk Through
the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil, for you are with me, Your rod
and your staff, they comfort me. You
prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies. You
anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows, Surely
goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in house of the Lord forever. If the Lord
is the Shepherd then those who belong to the Lord are His sheep. David is not being derogatory in this
statement, but he is making a simple realistic observation. He saw similarities that helped him to
understand his own feelings about himself and others. He saw the life of sheep and the sheep’s
relationship playing out something that was meaningful to him. He could easily empathize with the
shepherd’s concern for the sheep in their helpless state. He wanted the best for these sheep in this
hostile environment. David had
learned about the sheep’s undesirable tendencies, and he had been taught how
to train these wayward sheep in the ways of good sheep management. He, as a good shepherd, understood their
needs and desires were not controllable by their own will, but they had to be
taught the difference between right and wrong. He knew these sheep were incapable of
teaching themselves anything. He knew
if they were left to their own devices then these sheep would soon become
lost in the wilderness, and eventually they would be eaten by some
predator. He knew these sheep could be
taught if his methods were gentle and proven to be effective by generations
of shepherds. The tools of his trade,
including the rod and staff, were always applied with gentle love and
understanding. His responsibility was
to control, teach, and maintain the sheep in these hostile surroundings. This is what a good shepherd does. The primary
message of the Psalm is clear. The
Shepherd takes on the responsibility of providing all that is needed in the
sheep’s life. The Hebrew word here is
interpreted in NIV as “not be in want” but really, this word more accurately
means “to lack” or “to be deprived” of something. In other words, when the sheep have a need
the shepherd is there to provide for that need. The shepherd defines what is needed. The sheep do not decide based upon
something that is wanted, but the shepherd always decides what is needed or
lacking. These needs
are: (1) food (“green grass”), (2) water (“quiet” or still and not rushing),
(3) protection (“restores my soul”) from harm, and (4) teaching (“in paths”)
the difference between right and wrong, which is defined according to His
Word (“names sake”). These promises of
the basics are then emphasized. Harm
is defined as death and evil. The
teachings will include some pain at the right time for the right reason; this
type of pain can actually be comforting [James 1:2]. The distribution of needs will include also
celebration and peace in the mist of trouble.
Always, no matter what, there is the soothing oil of the Spirit that
brings the truly abundant life, which lasts forever. 3.
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and
the sheep hear his voice and come to him.
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. The
gatekeeper has control over the opening and shutting of this unique
gate. It appears,
the shepherd is the only one who has the responsibility to decide on anyone’s
entrance through this gate. Referring
to Chapter Six in this Gospel, it can be concluded the gatekeeper is the
Father [John We humans are so very much like
lambs. We struggle with the constraint
problems. We rebel against the fences
that bind our pens. We jump when we
should be still. We are still when we
should be moving. We ignore the
existence of others and blame them for all the confusion. We think having a Shepherd is a frightening
thing. We are difficult to train even
the simple lessons and pretend we have all the answers. We feel the teaching methods of pain and
peace is so unfair. We live a day at a
time with no view or any knowledge of the future and only a very primitive attitude
about the past. We consume our moments
with attempts to satisfy our desires, and are always in a perpetual state of
discontentment. We cloud our reality
with bursts of enthusiasm, with a pretense of a zeal for life, and a clatter
of noise to hide our thoughts. We are
in so many ways in our nature similar to the sheep and the lambs. We were designed this way. God’s plan is to grow us up in the way we
should go [Proverbs 22:6], as new creatures holy and acceptable in our nature
and soul [2 Corinthians Tendency to Wander Sheep do wander away or rebel
against the standards that the Shepherd has provided for their good, but they
do so because of their natural desire.
They deviate from the standards and attempt to break from the fold
because of their instincts, their nature, and their poor training. Sheep naturally wander, and unless they are
trained properly, they follow their desires.
If the sheep are allowed to follow
their nature their life would be unhappy, even unnaturally short, and most
likely some predator would have uncooked lamb chops for dinner. The good Shepherd knows that there
is a survival dimension in the training process. The sheep would not survive without being
taught the importance of obedience.
The sheep must be trained to conform to a new nature’s desires that
compel a change in its natural priorities.
The propensities to wander are changed into a nature that follows the
Shepherd’s call. After a time, the
sheep obeys naturally and stays within the boundaries of the fold [Romans Tendency to Worry If a sheep’s brow could furrow then
there would be a permanent crease between it eyes. Sheep are afraid of everything. Sheep have a real problem distinguishing
between the potentially harmful and the good things in this world. The whole subject of good and evil is a
blurred confusion. Of all the
creatures in this world, sheep have a dire need for self-help books. They select between options in front of
them based only upon their immediate perceived desires. They cannot see beyond their superficial need
to satisfy their apparent urgent need for their momentary comfort. Everything outside of this selfish view is
a world of unknowns. The unknown is
the most fearful thing of all, and since almost everything shares in this
unknown, the world is a fearful place.
This state of worry, which is really a built-in fear generator, influences
the selection in every option they encounter.
If the option is perceived to enhance the potential of receiving food
or scratching then that option must be good.
If food or scratching is not
forthcoming then the sheep looks for another shepherd. The search for satisfaction increases the
likelihood of worry and the susceptibility of being caught by some
predator. The worry prone sheep is
naturally full of discontentment and open to suggestion for help from
anyone. An unscrupulous shepherd can
find an easy course in taking advantage of a searching sheep. After all, the sheep may not have
been taught properly, and the sheep tends by nature to believe anything that
might take away the worry and fear for a time. One of the mistakes the manipulative
shepherd makes is to promise too much reward for too little obedience. This inappropriate combination creates more
worry about losing the reward and the sheep, thereby, develops a bitter taste
for the good grass. The method often
used to overcome this destructive training is a long deprivation of any
reward. Hunger then drive the sheep
back to the good grass. The common method The Shepherd uses
in helping the sheep to live with the problem of worry is to bring an
atmosphere of peace into the sheep’s environment. Developing a close relationship with the
good Shepherd does promote peace in the life of the sheep. This relationship is not by any means an
instantaneous fix for the problem. The
worry component of the nature must be overshadowed by a sense of security
that only The Good Shepherd can provide, and this takes time to develop. Realizing that the Shepherd has a loving
interest in the welfare of his sheep is the foundation upon which this peace
is built. The good Shepherd, as a part
of the training process, teaches this realization. The sheep cannot invent, conjure up, or
establish this realization without The Good Shepherd’s teaching. The nature of the sheep is devoid of any
natural capability of acquiring the peace necessary to cause a movement
towards the freedom from fear and worry.
The implication that a state of
worry and fear is a natural state is at odds with the mental health
experts. The human conventional wisdom
advocates that the problems associated with various forms of anxiety are due
to a complex and multifaceted system of environmental and heredity
issues. Some will tie anxiety
disorders to some life incident in growing up in a family plagued with
problems; sometimes it is all due to a chemical imbalance; at other times, it
is due to low self-esteem, some prior trauma, or an abusive life
experience. In the world of sheep
anxiety disorders are very normal and expected. Sheep are designed and born with this
anxiety and discontentment. While
mistreating the sheep certainly will aggravate the sheep’s anxiety level,
there is no indication this level of worry and fear is anything but a normal
characteristic of the sheep’s nature.
If there were such a thing as a sheep psychiatrist then this doctor
would be swamped with business. Sheep
are neurotic by nature; there are no exceptions. Gentle training in healthy tasks using a
careful balance between administering rewards and applying appropriate pain
does wonders in controlling their neurosis.
The Shepherd uses this natural condition to develop the sheep and to
encourage the growth of the new nature. Tendency to War It seems the inherent nature of the
sheep just loves to fight and to stir up conflicts with each other. In their warring, they hurt only
themselves, and usually some cantankerous old ram, which has learned after a
lifetime of fighting just how to mount an effective attack, resolves the
fight. Apparently, food and sex are
the primary reasons for the fighting, but who knows? Sheep do not seem to have a good reason for
becoming irritable with each other. If
they were people it would be said they are cranky and in a bad mood. Although, sheep do tend to flock together,
yet, this does not seem to indicate they like each other very much. This herding tendency is more for
protection and having companionship with others who are just as afraid as
they are. The sheep’s nature is not at
all like horses, which seemingly enjoy the closeness of the herd. Sheep warfare is not at all
organized nor directed towards any sub group.
It is always one sheep against another creature, sheep, dog, or man,
often a child. It is usually related
to an “emotional” outburst. However,
unscrupulous men on occasion train sheep to fight in an organized contest of
exhibition, thereby the sheep owners make money that promotes betting under
the guise of a traditional, yet bizarre, celebrations. For example, people watch sheep fighting to
celebrate Tendency to Wish It is impossible to know what sheep
are actually thinking, but their actions indicate that they are discontented
or in a state of oblivion most of the time.
By looking at the time that they appear to be happy, it is found that
this time is directly correlated with the time they are being fed or being
scratched. If this observation has any
meaning then it might be assumed that during their states of discontentment,
they are wishing for food or some sign of attention coming from the
shepherd. The time of “wishing” is
usually associated with some action on the part of the sheep to come near to
the shepherd. The sheep, individually or in a
herd, will follow the shepherd, if this is a good shepherd, wherever the
shepherd goes. The sheep move
together, without organization and without a dominant sheep leader, as a
flock they move towards the object of their desires, the shepherd. The functional association the sheep have
learned is that the good things they wish for is in the presence of the
shepherd. The shepherd taught the
sheep to behave and to wish like this.
The sheep did not choose the
shepherd, but the shepherd owns these sheep because he purchased them or he
has raised them up from newly born lambs, and he has authority over
them. The shepherd is responsible for
the flock of sheep, and the shepherd teaches them in the way he chooses. The sheep do not have any independent
rights as sovereign entities to decide on anything. It would be absurd to expect any sheep to
claim suddenly that it was the master of its own destiny. The known nature and the observable antics
of sheep do reasonably disqualify them from any expectation of exhibiting
original behavior. Their nature is
simple, but all training to move them beyond their nature is tedious. When anyone stops to consider the
proposition that humans are like sheep, it is at least revolutionary. Jesus is an example of this radical
thinking. Tendency to Wonder It is generally thought that sheep
are most likely not going to spend much time, if any, wondering about what
will happen next. However, sheep
physiologically have a brain anatomically very similar to that of a human. The National Geographic News in November
2001 published that a study by some British scientists has shown that sheep
are able to recognize hundreds, if not thousands, of individual faces. They respond in characteristic ways when
they see a recognized person. It is as
if they have certain expectations about the individual’s behavior. "If sheep have such sophisticated facial recognition
skills, they must have much greater social requirements than we
thought," said Dr. Keith Kendrick, of It is popular to assume that sheep are all stupid, as we often
believe. However, like in the sheep
world, image recognition capability plays a significant role in the human
contrast and comparison processes.
These processes are a key element in all of our so-called
decision-making. Our memory is a
critical contributor in our discontentment and personal suffering. We remember how things were, or at least
the way we think they were, and this thought process leads to a type of
discontentment. This memory ability
also causes us to wonder about strategies on how to change the present set of
circumstances into the way we think they should be. There is a reluctance to believe that sheep have much
understanding about their environment.
Yet, the designer of the sheep and human beings has called humans
sheep. This type of wondering provokes
all kinds of speculation about the rational state of this animal --- Is it
possible a sheep could wonder or even have questions about, “What if?” We have no Scriptural indication that sheep
plan for future events and use logic or even have a communicative language. However, we do have evidence that sheep have a cognitive
ability known as spatial memory. Sheep
have been known to find their own flock after being placed in a maze
separating them from their flock mates.
They are able to “learn” the correct path in a maze very quickly
without making a lot of wrong turns.
The navigating knowledge is retained even after a number of sheep are
removed from the maze for several weeks and then tested again. After considering the sheep’s recognition and spatial memory
abilities, it is conceivable to assume that sheep do understand more than
what is generally attributed to them.
Their mistrust of humans may be well founded upon a retained knowledge
and not merely an instinctive reaction. Tendency to Waste It is not in the nature of the
sheep to manage debris and waste. The
thought of cleaning up after meals or trying to organize anything is
naturally beyond expectation. A badly
trained sheep will attempt to tear down fences, chew on the crib, and ignore
good grass for a chance to climb a hill.
Sheep tend to waste time in a rebellious outburst of temper and they
will meander to the grazing area and thereby wasting feeding time. The immediate focus of the sheep is the
sheep’s only real priority. They do
not seem to try to think ahead or try to find the most efficient course. If they are not carefully managed,
the sheep will deplete a grazing area of grass without any apparent concern
about tomorrow’s meal. They will not
drink from a stream that is moving, thereby wasting a water source. The sheep will waste time, opportunities,
food, and water without compunction.
We humans are notorious for wasting time, resources, environmental
assets, and opportunities. We are a
“throw-away” society. Popular demands
and desires have more importance than the needs of future generations. Conservation is not a particularly popular
subject and is tolerated only because the politicians who use it to garner
votes. The theoretical is more
interesting than the practical. We
humans will talk about the meaning of life, but we will ignore those things
that give life a meaning. We waste
good words on empty dreams and refuse to read God’s Word because such reading
takes our time. What a waste! Tendency to Whitewash This is something humans do to
sheep, and sheep actually seem to take pleasure in this activity. The preparation for a Sheep Show
requires much discipline and takes a significant amount of time. The sheep is selected by the shepherd for
excellence in temperament, in conformation, and in breeding. The part that the sheep undoubtedly enjoys
the most is the feeding schedule.
Special mixes of grain and oats laced with honey are prepared and
given well before the scheduled show.
The sheep’s wool is carefully trimmed and the sheep is bathed and
brushed often in order to create the best appearance possible. Good food and good grooming enhances the
sheep’s outward appearance. Most who
judge sheep judge in a competition look at appearance and conformation, which
is a product of the whitewashing? The
sheep becomes a part of an ambitious and prideful culture, which seemingly
the sheep enjoys. The training of the sheep is very
important in giving the right impression to all judges. Halter training is a very important skill
that must be perfected. Hours of
practice are required in halter placement and removal to teach the sheep to
wait serenely without movement during this process. The teaching of patience takes time and
kindness on the part of the handler.
Leading and turning with a halter in place must be executed without
any jumping, pulling, or running ahead of the handler. Following the handler’s voice commands are
also necessary lessons to be learned.
The objective of all of this effort is to gain awards and reputation
for the benefit of the owner. The
sheep, in turn, receives some good food and lots of attention. The sheep’s inherent nature is
unchanged though training and instruction.
The sheep is still a sheep, maybe fatter and more disciplined, but it
is still just a sheep. The sheep still
has all of the inherent characteristics it was born with. All of the effort to create a new façade
and give a liberal education has effectively been all very superficial. The sheep can revert to its old habits and
tendencies very quickly. It may be a
smarter sheep but it can become very rebellious if it is abused or not fed
regularly. The Good Shepherd, however, judges
His own sheep based upon the condition of the sheep’s new nature [1 Samuel
16:7], “but the Lord looks at the heart.”
The Good Shepherd’s sheep are different from the other sheep because
they hear His voice. The ability to
hear His voice is indicative of the new nature, which is a gift from The Good
Shepherd. This new nature is from God
[2 Corinthians TWO NATURES
4. After he has gathered his own
flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his
voice. There is no question about
ownership. In addition, it is illogical to set up a
sheep enterprise without a plan [Romans The gathering or bringing out and
following Him is termed in the Greek as “cleaving to Him.” This invokes an image of oneness or unity
with the will of the Good Shepherd.
This interpretation is certainly consistent with, “You are not your
own; you were bought at a price” [1 Corinthians The Shepherd is a good leader. He has been assigned the responsibility to
care for His sheep through the authorization coming from the creator of all
things. The authority of God the
Father assures that nothing [Romans Therefore, there must be an ability
to hear, to discriminate, to remember the owner’s voice, and an ability to
compare competing influences. Recognition
is dependent upon the presence of the command, the ability to hear, past
training, and the current environment.
Remembering and comparing the old and the new is essential in the
thinking process and in the development of new knowledge. The
new lessons may not be temporally beneficial due to an erroneous assumption
that The Shepherd is speaking. Errors
in the assumption about the source of the command lead to confusion. Becoming sensitive to the
Shepherd’s voice is an important part of the learning process. Becoming familiar with The Shepherd’s
written word is enormously helpful in advancing this process. As these written words become known the
questions seem to answer themselves, and the concerns begin to fade away
[John 5. They won’t follow a stranger;
they will run from him because they don’t recognize his voice.” By nature,
they would not follow a stranger because the voice is different and contrary
to the Shepherd’s commands. There is
no danger of these sheep being lost because this Shepherd and the nature
given to these sheep will not allow a falling away. They are being trained in the truth and the
dangers of any alien calls. It is best
to start training as soon as possible after birth; with sheep, this time is
right after the weaning of the lambs.
Many times the sheep, however, are acquired as adults and have certain
habits that require special attention.
The methods employed in the training of both lambs and sheep have been
developed over a period of several centuries.
It is
universally agreed among sheep farming experts that a carefully administered
training program contributes to healthy and productive flocks. Handling and subsequent training is made
easier by good quality and early training.
The training of mature rams is the most difficult and requires
patience and careful attention. Some
sheep and particularly older ewes and rams tend to be “flighty” by nature and
are difficult to catch in order to administer routine procedures like
vaccinations. It is wonderful to be
able to halter and lead an animal wherever you need to take it, instead
of having to set up panels and gates or drag it along. It also makes a
big improvement in the image the sheep present at a show or fair. A well-trained animal reflects an effective
training program. To an observer, a
well-trained sheep is led from place to place in an effortless natural
way. It appears that the halter is
unnecessary. The sheep appears to be
at peace with the whole process. One of the most effective tools a
Shepherd can use is to offer occasionally the sheep a food treat that is
thoroughly enjoyed. Grain and oats
would meet this purpose. The timing of
this special treat is made in conjunction with the performance of a
task. The treat and the task are
associated one with the other. After a
time by just rattling the grain bucket the sheep will become ready to perform
the required task. Calling and voice
commands can be worked into the sheep’s awareness and training recognition
using a treat, as a reward, which develops an association between the desired
food and the painless task. They
generally learn to come for grain quickly.
Feeding by hand is started next; this begins associating the
Shepherd’s physical contact and the rewards together. Once one sheep takes a treat from
the hand, the others will usually copy this behavior, even the lambs’ gain
familiarity with the Shepherd by watching their mothers. Soon the Shepherd is no longer considered a
threat and all subsequent training becomes easier. Catching and holding becomes less
necessary. The sheep now hear and
begin coming to the Shepherd at his call because they associate the Shepherd
with the good things in this life. It
could be said that they are drawn by the peace in the calmness of the
Shepherd’s voice and the hope of receiving a reward in the Shepherd’s
hand. Sharp noises or any type of
inflicted pain negatively influences the sheep. Startling the sheep in any way will set the
training back, and it may take weeks to re-train their fragile nature. Some sheep are naturally more nervous than
others are. Temperaments vary from one
sheep to another. As temperaments
vary, so does their ability to adapt to any change in the environment. It is a good idea to do the rewarding part
in and around the area where any unpleasant experience may occur, like the
holding pen. When the sheep are made
comfortable in the holding pen then these animals are very likely to be
comfortable any place. However, some are never satisfied
no matter what the environment. Little
things should be rewarded, as approaching the animal calmly, without
specifically calling. The sheep begins
to trust the handler through the association with reward and peace. On the other hand, when a sheep jumps or
pushes too hard in an aggressive manner, it is appropriate to return such
action with a sharp knee to the chest or a tap on the shins and, of course,
withhold any reward. This sequence, of
negative reward and disappointment, is repeated for each phase of the
training program, never too much or too little. Pain is a tool in the learning process and
in contrasts to the reward and peace.
This we call discipline [Hebrews As a product of the training, a new
freedom emerges from learning the truth [John 6.. Those who heard Jesus use this
illustration didn’t understand what he meant, Hearing, or
reading for that matter, about information has never guaranteed
understanding. Even when presented in
the first person by Jesus Himself does not mean any given set of information
will be understood. This is a
testimony to the limited ability of humankind to see the light or to hear His
voice even when He is standing right there in front of them. When we try
to project our own interpretation of the Word of God, we will not find
understanding ourselves or help for anyone else. Only through the Spirit of God, who is the
One who gives eyes to see and ears to hear, is it possible we see the
truth. Alas, one
of our most serious inhibiters in our understanding is our pride. We do not like to hear anything that is
contrary to our predetermined belief.
Jesus is implying in this parable something that is not very
flattering. We are like sheep! Let’s face it! Sheep are helpless. Sheep are born with almost no lethal
defenses, very susceptible to predators, and have value only in growing wool
and dying as a sacrifice or providing meat.
The things sheep do naturally are eat, reproduce, and follow. This apparent uncomplimentary allegory
teaches the same lesson Jesus teaches repeatedly. The lessons Jesus seems to be teaching in
this pronouncement are: We are under His control We are owned by Him We are trained by Him Our purpose is to follow Him. The
Principles [John 10:7-18] 12.
Principles in Three Categories Process Access
Control [7] Two
Natures [8] Separation
Policy [8] Guaranteed
Care [9] Purpose Contrasting
Objectives [10] Accountability
[11] Motivation
[12, 13] Relationship
[14] Knowledge
[15] Plan Fixed
Future [16] God’s
Love [17] Christ’s
Supremacy [18] PROCESS 7. so he explained it to them. “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep,” he said. Access Control Reiterating first this important
concept of the gate, Jesus is telling us again something about Himself and
His sheep. Jesus is the only way to
become free from the inherent, limited, and natural condition of being just
like an untrained sheep, [John 8. “All others who came before me
were thieves and robbers. But the true
sheep did not listen to them.” Two Natures There have always been those who
have a nature to deceive and manipulate other sheep for selfish gain. Claiming allegiance to the Shepherd does
not guarantee the sheep are true sheep.
Sheep to be true must have a new nature [2 Corinthian Separation
Policy The true sheep are those who have
been identified as belonging to the Shepherd and thus have a nature that is
different from the false sheep. These
false sheep are sometimes known as objects of wrath. Although this policy seems harsh to us,
this is taught to us bluntly by Jesus and it is consistent with other
passages in the Scriptures. Both the
false sheep, or goats, live in this world at the same time, but the two
natures are separated by the gift of the spirit of life [Romans 8:2]. These true sheep learn to ignore naturally
the cry of the false “leaders.” They
develop an ability to discriminate between the false prophets who come in
sheep’s clothing [Matthew If the sheep wander for a time, the
Shepherd pulls them into line with His staff until they learn that listening
to these thieves and robbers only causes the true sheep pain. There is no way for the sheep to leave the
fold outside of the Shepherd’s planned training exercise. The sheep tend to wander due to inherent
instincts and immature training and conditioning. These deficiencies are overcome in time
with the application of new lessons and the experience of pain. The Shepherd’s responsibility is to care
for His sheep and manage a proper training program. It is promised that there is nothing that
can “separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Romans 8:37-39] 9.
Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.
Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. Guaranteed Care Jesus makes a Sovereign
identification, again [verse 7], with the gate, The Way to Salvation. This metaphor emphasizes His essential part
in Salvation, the very limited path to Salvation and His Sovereign Control over
Salvation. Coming in through the gate
is associated with a change in nature, a change in direction, and a change in
leadership. The true sheep has a new
purpose, which is eternal life instead of death. The true sheep has a new promise, which is
the best of food. The true sheep has a
new leader, who is eternal. The
finding of green pastures is after going through the gate, which is
Jesus. There is no contingency
expressed or implied about the sheep taking any action on deciding or
declining to go through the gate.
Sheep are not given this option.
The Shepherd decides and chooses His sheep [John 3:6]. The Good Shepherd takes full responsibility
for the care and training of His sheep.
This means that “all things” are being worked for the long term good
of His sheep [Romans PURPOSE 10.
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and
destroy. My
purpose is to give life in all its fullness. Contrasting Objectives It is troubling to consider the
sheep’s helplessness in an environment where there are thieves with the
purpose to steal, kill, and destroy.
However, since the beginning, the world has been partitioned into the
darkness and the light, and only a remnant is called into the light. The designed purpose of the hostile
environment is to give contrast and honor to the caring Shepherd. The stark contrast between death and life
marks the difference between Jesus and the world. This contrast extends to the comparison
between good and evil, light and darkness.
Only a very powerful and caring Shepherd could give protection and life
to each and everyone of his helpless sheep in this very dangerous
environment. The contrasting environment in this
classroom of life is where the true sheep are taught the lessons necessary
for them to become children of the Righteous and Sovereign God. Becoming aware of the contrasts helps us in
understanding God’s Ways and His Purpose.
Without contrast, the sheep could not learn the difference between
light and darkness or good and evil.
We learn by comparison. Our
educational process has its dependence upon comparing and measuring the
difference between the things we know and the things we are learning. We appreciate God’s goodness more when we
witness the destructive products of evil. The purpose of the thief is part of
God’s Plan to teach His sheep the importance of learning the differences
between the contrasting boundaries designed into His creation. Looking for the contrasts in Scriptures
contribute to an appreciation of God’s Word and His methods of teaching His
sheep. We learn in the comparison and
in the identification of contrasts between the extremes through studying the
principles and observations. The Old
Testament and Jesus’ teaching are filled with opportunities to contrast good
and evil. We learn more from the
differences in our observations than from any abstract concept. When we see the differences, our belief
grows. As our belief grows, we begin
to see more contrasts and understand the lessons God’s Spirit is teaching
us. The eternal principles begin to
make more sense. We begin to
understand the reasons we act like sheep, and accept the fact that we are
sheep. This realization leads to a
fuller life. 11.
“I am the good shepherd. The
good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Accountability This is another one of the “I AM”
statements. The use of this phrase is
the third time out of five, [John 10:7, 9, 11, 14, and 36], that it appears
in this chapter alone. The absolute
nature of the usage of this phrase is reserved for the Sovereign Lord alone. He is the source of absolute truth, and He
is the only one who can rightfully say, “I AM.” So, when Jesus says this phrase, it should
be thought of in the most absolute extreme and unique sense possible. As if in reality, there is no other gate; there
are no other good shepherds; and there is no other God’s Son. In this temporal world, there is no
equivalent for such an absolute. Only,
“in Christ” can anyone have contact with the absolute domain through the
Spirit of Christ. Jesus emphasizes this
point when He said, “I AM the Way” [John 14:6]. Being “good” absolutely, The
Shepherd is saying that He is completely an exemplary and efficient manager
of His sheep in every way. In the
sheep production business, some minimum standards must be met in order to
manage sheep efficiently. It is
impossible to have any error in “good.”
For example, the Shepherd must protect the fold from the many types of
predators, parasites, and poachers that threaten the sheep. The loss of just one of the sheep would disqualify
this Shepherd from being “good” absolutely.
Absolute protection requires absolute control of His sheep. Sheep production does not require elaborate
facilities and equipment, but it does require lots of patience and
training. Since sheep are such simple
animals, they formulate a relationship with the Shepherd easily. This relationship, however, grows very
slowly, requiring lots of training The right location including green
grass and still water is about all that is required to meet the basic needs
of these protected sheep. The rest of
the effort is spent on training and protection. The Good Shepherd is involved in all of
these efforts, constantly and personally.
Jesus tells us that His Spirit of truth will guide all those who are
“in Christ” towards the truth [John The plan and purpose of this
accountability must be more important than the temporal production of wool
and profit. Considering the absolute
nature of the Shepherd, His Plan must also be absolute. The sheep’s bestowed nature to follow the
Shepherd must relate in some way to His Purpose [Romans 12.
A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will leave the sheep because they aren’t
his and he isn’t their shepherd. And so, the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. Motivation The false
shepherds in this world are numerous.
Pride and greed are common characteristics of these shepherds. They care nothing about the individual
sheep; it is controlling the sheep they desire. They play by different rules, but their
object is always about control of the largest number of sheep that is
possible. Sometimes they are prophets
of the end times; sometimes they are promoters of peace and prosperity;
sometimes they claim divine anointing with gifts of healing; and sometimes
they just avoid the truth with messages of platitudes. As the fame of these false shepherds fades
away, it becomes clear that the only people they ever cared about were
themselves. They promised freedom to
everyone who would listen, while they themselves are slaves of
depravity. They are worse off at the
end than they were at their beginning, [2 Peter The motivations as indicated in
this and the next verse seem to illustrate four very common human
mind-sets. Fear, which is a type of
delusion about the future, translates into a fleeing action. The implication that the false shepherd’s
desires out weights any potential risk required to defend the sheep reflect
the common malady of discontentment.
The lack of concern for the sheep echoes the world’s claim to look out
for yourself before anyone else; this is a rule
found in most deceptions. Underlining
these three motivations is the basic philosophy of self-determination. This is the defiant attitude that my human will is more important than God’s will. 13. The hired hand runs away
because he is merely hired and has no real concern for the sheep. The false shepherd, no matter what
role he plays or how noble his mission, has two basic problems. First, he has forgotten, if he ever knew,
or ignores the fact that God is in Control.
The symptom of this problem is seen in his selective use of the
Scriptures and the emphasis placed on the principles of this world, e.g., “If
you think you can … you can,” “name it and claim it.” The Second problem is in their nature,
which was born blind. If the Spirit
never gives them sight, they will always be blind. God may use their blindness for His Glory
[John 9:1-5], yet their nature never changes, [Proverbs 26:11]. They are always concerned about only
themselves. The nature problem and condition
is God’s business. 14.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, Relationship Jesus is obviously serious about
this metaphor on how the good Shepherd cares for His flock of sheep. We like the idea of a loving and caring
Shepherd watching over us and protecting us from the hazards of life, but we
really do not like the idea of being considered sheep by anyone, particularly
Jesus. This objection is softened when realize the
Shepherd to sheep relationship is established because Jesus is illustrating
His relationship to each of us as individuals. However, we have a tendency to
prefer to be thought of as partners in the Kingdom accomplishing something
that is beneficial for the King. We
tend to gravitate towards a kind of economy of faith, which implies that if
we do something we get some type of reward.
Often what we really prefer is not God’s Will, but our will be
done. Jesus is just telling it like it
is. We are like sheep, [Isaiah 53:6];
whether we prefer it or not. The harsh
reality is we are not in control and we are unable in ourselves to please God,
[Rom. 8:8]. It all relates to the
condition of the nature. Is the nature
in the darkness or in the light? Only
God gives sight! Only God decides who
is in the darkness or who is in the light.
The inherent sinful nature or Christ’s Spirit controls the nature of
the sheep [ There is a personal relationship
between this good Shepherd and the sheep.
This relationship is totally cultivated by Him. There is a special way the sheep learns to
communicate with the shepherd, and there is a unique way this good Shepherd
speaks to His sheep. This metaphor
does not imply that the sheep affects the Shepherd’s management style of the
fold in any way. The Shepherd understands the
sheep’s needs and His actions are not influenced by what the sheep thinks or
what the sheep wants [Rom. Sheep have no inherent desire to
please anyone, particularly the Shepherd [Romans A good Shepherd understands this
and accommodates these natural tendencies by giving lots of loving care to
his sheep. Sheep love to feel the care
of the Shepherd, to be near still water, and be given plenty of food. Sheep are also sensitive to the
moods of their fellow sheep and the attitude of the hired shepherd. When a shepherd starts to think about lamb
chops, the sheep become restless. When
other sheep are disturbed, even though it may be nothing, the sheep near by
begin to sense discontentment and then there becomes a contagion of
discontentment. The shepherd’s
responsibility is to keep the whole flock calm and peaceful by remaining at peace
with himself and administrating lots of handling to the individual
sheep. For this reason, it is good
sheep management to keep the folds small enough so that the shepherd can care
for the sheep. Feeding lambs and sheep requires
far more than just distributing food at routine times. In many ways, the training of the sheep is
more important than their food. The
training should start early, while they are lambs, and continue throughout
their life cycle. The training plan
should include recognition of the shepherd’s voice commands, accommodating
the other sheep in the fold, becoming aware of various dangers. 15. just
as my Father knows me and I know the Father.
And I lay down my life for the sheep. Knowledge A fundamental characteristic about
God’s Plan is that it is based upon perfect knowledge. No one can possibly understand what perfect
and absolute knowledge means. All that
ever happened and all that will ever happen is known in the “Now.” There is no sequence, no history, and no
future expectation because everything that ever happened, that is happening,
and everything that will ever happen is known as if it all happened just
“Now”. The good things and the bad things
are all part of the Plan. Both the
Father and the Son knew what had to happen to save the sheep [ In the beginning, the Father and
Son knew every detail of what had to be done, of what is being done, and of
what must be done with absolute clarity as if it happened in the present
“Now.” It is too rare that we even
notice and experience our touching this “Now.” We tend to look back on some special moment
and wish every moment could be like that.
Our moments go by so unappreciated and memory of our moments fades too
quickly. God has no passing
moments. This is beyond our
comprehension because we have nothing to compare in our lives to an
experience of a continuous “Now.”
God’s continuous “Now” gives Him perfect knowledge. This perfect knowledge is why God cannot
error, change His mind, or tell a lie.
He always knows what He is doing and why it is being done. He can see the beginning and the end at one
glance. This is perfect
knowledge. In the presence of such knowledge,
it becomes incredible that anyone could assume for a moment that a mere human
could affect this type of foreknowledge with a superficial personal guess
about the future. Considering a continuous “Now” and
perfect knowledge changes the way we think about God. He does not think like us, in sequential
time and action yields reaction. He
sees the future as if it were the present.
This perception brings a new meaning to the phrases “all things,” “all
creation,” and “supremacy” [Romans 8:28, Colossians 1:15-20]. We begin to question the popular
interpretations of prophesy, of purpose, of unity, and personal
surrender. Does it really matter to a
sheep how these esoteric concepts are interpreted? Learning to know the Father as Jesus knew
the Father is all that matters. Then
we can reach a point where can appreciate that nothing, even death or life,
can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord [Romans PLAN 16. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them
also, and they will listen to my voice; and there will be one flock with one
shepherd. Fixed Future The Plan has a scope that is beyond
time and space. The Plan was
established before time began [Eph. 1:4-10].
The Plan is beyond human desire or effort. The Plan also includes presently
unidentified unborn sheep, which the Shepherd already knows. These unidentified sheep are considered the
Shepherd’s property before they are called or even born. They will listen to his voice because they
are the Father’s gift to the Son and the Spirit is assigned to train them
[John This is not contradictory to the
separation policy alluded to in verses seven and eight. Nor does this verse support a
dispensational argument that separates There is nothing here or anywhere
else in the Bible that claims that everyone learns to listen without being
trained by the Good Shepherd. It is
the Spirit who gives the spirit life [John 3:6], and the Spirit goes where
the Spirit chooses, like the wind [John 3:8].
It is through the gift of faith that produces the ability to listen
[Ephesians 2:4-10]. “God, who is rich
in mercy, made us alive with Christ” --- “God raised us up with Christ and
seated us with Him” [Ephesians 2:4-9]; this is bringing the sheep into the
sheepfold, and this is independent from national origin or individual
choice. There is one Shepherd and one
flock. Jesus is looking beyond the time
and space of this Good Shepherd’s presentation. Jesus has a continuous contact with the
eternal “Now” because He is God, as He states in “I AM.” This contact with the eternal “Now”
indicates He is aware of all sheep, all things, all times, and all places. In the eternal “Now” there is no mystery
about the term predestination [Ephesians God saw it all and planned it all
before time began. This unlimited
definition of His plan supersedes all assumptions about the hypothetical
theories and human contingencies. In light
of God’s eternal “Now,” there should be only faith in God’s Sovereign actions
and skepticism about human will power.
“Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me
like this?’” [Romans 9:20] Notice the urgency in the “I must”
phrase. When God expresses this kind
of urgency --- who, or what, could possibly stand in the way. There is certainly no human contingency
implied or expressed in this statement.
Those who are brought “will listen to My voice.” There is no ambivalence expressed
here. “No one can come to Me unless
the Father has enabled him” [John 6:65].
In addition, “God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable” [Romans God’s plan for His sheepfold was
designed before time began, and this plan includes all the days and moments
since then. There are those people who
are called Israelites, Gentiles, of Abraham’s seed of faith, and objects of
wrath. Everyone has a purpose in this
plan [Ephesians The absolute control of the
Sovereign Lord acting from the eternal “Now” has a fixed future. This seems unlikely in our dynamic
moments. We are constantly playing the
“What if” game. We dogmatically claim
our rule over our decisions and actions.
We acclaim our wins and excuse our losses. We tend to ignore the idea that all of
these experiences are actually a part of our education taught to us by the
loving hand and guidance of The Spirit.
In everything, we are learning moment by moment in this classroom that
we call life. We are being prepared
for the eternal “Now.” 17.
“The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it
back again. God’s Love The Plan is moving on its scheduled
path. The Father does what He has to
do and the Son is obeying the Father.
Here, we have two very significant concepts -- love and obedience. God’s work always involves these two
concepts; this is how God accomplishes His Plan. The true sheep are to obey the Son in like
manner. Learning to obey the Shepherd,
in all things, is what the sheep will learn to do [Romans The process of learning about love
is also a part of the sheep’s training lessons. The sheep does not love naturally. Love grows as obedience is developed. The Shepherd demonstrated His love for the
Father through His obedience. This
kind of love in the sheep is a product of obedience. This kind of love is not inherently found
in the nature of humankind [ 18. No one can take my
life from me. I
lay down my life voluntarily. For I
have the right to lay it down when I want to and also
the power to take it again. For my
Father has given me this command.” Christ’s Supremacy It must be understood and
appreciated that the Shepherd’s nature is different from the sheep. The Good Shepherd was with God in the
beginning and the Shepherd was God [John 1:1]. The Shepherd has a nature that is in
control of everything [Colossians The Shepherd and the Father are in
perfect harmony, while the sheep are in continual conflict. The Shepherd has the authority and the
power to decide, while the sheep only react to instinct, rules, training, and
desire. The Shepherd obeys naturally
the Father’s command, while the sheep must learn how to respond to the
lessons God teaches and thereby learns to please God. The Shepherd has the right to choose
because He knows the future, and He understands His power to give His life and
then to live again. The Will of the Father
is the only will that means anything to the Son. It is always about the Father’s Will; this
is the only will the Shepherd follows, and, therefore, this is the only
“will” anyone can successfully follow.
God’s “Will” is the only “will” the Son can know and obey. The sheep have no absolute rights
whatsoever, and must learn from The Spirit to act like The Son. The Spirit teaches the sheep the Father’s
Will, which includes recognition of the Shepherd’s voice. In essence, temporal choice is
something that exists in only the temporal domain. It is relative and is being changed in
frequency, scope, and effect based upon the individual believer’s current
maturity. In the ultimate state,
personal choice disappears and becomes like Christ’s ability to choose, only
the Father’s Will matters [John 5:30, Romans 8:29]. Christ’s will to choose was totally
dependent upon the Father’s Will, who is absolute and completely
dominate. Therefore, in the ultimate
sense, the individual’s will and choice does not exist. It is wrong to advocate that we
humans can influence God’s Plan in any way.
God does not change His mind or change His plan because some one has
asked Him to do so. Here are some
choice passages supporting this contention: [Ex. 3:14, Ps. 102:25-27, Isaiah
40:10, Mal. 3:6, Acts 13:48, Heb. 13:8, James 1:17, and 1Peter 1:3-6]. The Plan was set into motion with the
creation and the beginning of time and it will continue on its path until the
end of time. All time is in God’s
“Now.” His Plan will be done! We must learn to trust and obey His
commands and in this, we rest our hope.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in
Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”
[Romans 15:13]. Metaphor’s Lessons This Chapter summarizes four
apparent characteristics about the new nature given to the sheep; these sheep
are owned and controlled by the Good Shepherd. These characteristics are: ·
Separation … into the
Shepherd’s flock, which is a designed part of God’s Plan and not an
accidental outcome of some mistake or a consequence of a willful
rebellion. Jesus is very clear in Luke
12:51 that one of His missions is to divide the world into two parts. A major theme of this Chapter’s metaphor
emphatically describes this partitioning, for example consider verses [2, 7,
12, and 16]. ·
Selection … is a predetermined and predestined process, which
is controlled only by the Father. The
new birth and the new nature are emphasized numerous times, for example, in
this Chapter the verses [3, 10, 14 and 16].
This Gospel spends a significant amount of time on this aspect of the
Plan, such as [John ·
Supervision … is
evident throughout all Scripture. God
is Sovereign. The contrast between the
helplessness of the sheep and the management of the Shepherd illustrates the
importance of recognizing the indisputable fact that God is in control [7, 9,
11, 14, and 27]. ·
Security … is the eternal benefit that flows from the other
three characteristics. Verses [5, 11,
and 15] attest to this aspect of the Plan.
There is no power that can separate His sheep from His Love [Rom. Matthew 6:33, 34 33But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. |
