“Images of the Church: The Flock of the Good Shepherd” (John 10-11-18)
1. The flock for which the Good Shepherd sacrificed Himself (vs. 11-13)
 a) Another “I AM” claim (6:35, 8:12,58, 19:7). “Good Shepherd”- Shepherds are to provide total care for 
     their sheep. There are bad & good shepherds of people. Christ is the perfect shepherd whose care is 
     always just what is needed.
 b) “lays down/life” (vs. 11,15,17,18)- When a woof, thief or some other predator came for the sheep, 
     such a shepherd is willing to sacrifice himself for the flocks protection. Our biggest predator is sin. 
     Christ offered a perfect substitute sacrifice on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
 c) Christ contrasts such action with the hired hand, who is paid to take care of the sheep. This individual 
     will do his duties, but flee to protect himself when danger approaches, like a wolf. Maybe He had in 
     mind the religious leaders, like priests who believed Jesus was the Messiah but were too fearful to 
     oppose the Pharisees and other religious leaders who adamantly opposed Jesus. A good leader is 
     willing to sacrifice for others to experience God’s goodness even when it means great sacrifice. His 
     might is severe in judgment, but gentle with His own (Isaiah 40:10-11).
 d) The total confidence of the flock needs to be in the Good Shepherd who held/holds nothing back for 
     our protection & spiritual well-being.
2. The flock in an intimate relationship with the Good Shepherd (vs. 14-15)
 a) Having such a shepherd, we should want to know Him better. “I AM the good shepherd” is repeated to 
     point out the personal intimate knowledge a shepherd has with his sheep.  This is a mutual personal 
     knowledge is perfect & complete with Him, but imperfect and growing on our part. It takes experience 
     with Him to develop this knowledge. We should glean what we can from sheep who have followed 
     Him for years.
 b) “even as”- There is a perfect relationship of intimate knowledge between the Father & Son towards 
     which our relationship with the Good Shepherd should move. He laid down His life so we could 
     experience this kind of close relationship with Him.
3. The united flock the Good Shepherd is continually expanding (vs. 16)
 a) “other sheep not of this fold”- Gentiles. 
 b) “have”- (pr. tense), likely referring to those God has chosen & predestined to come to His Son (6:39).
 c) “must bring (lead/guide)”- He is behind the whole operation/mission prompting & empowering our 
     efforts to bring others to the Good Shepherd & be added to His flock.
 d) “one flock with one shepherd”- We don’t create unity, but recognize this is what the Lord has/is doing 
     & conduct ourselves accordingly. Unity with other Christians is based on realizing the Lord only has 
     one flock & though He uses people, ultimately He is our common Good Shepherd.
4. The flock whose Good Shepherd took up His life again (vs. 17-18)
 a) The Father loves the Son (3:35). Here it is pointed out because of His willingness as a Man to lay 
     down His life for the sheep with His sacrifice on the cross.
 b) Even though humans were responsible for crucifying Him, none of them controlled the process of 
     taking His life. He willingly & voluntarily laid down His own life.
 c) He also had the authority to take His life back again with His resurrection. The Father, Son & Spirit 
     were all active in Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2:24, Romans 8:11, John 2:19).
 d) This goes beyond the imagery of a shepherd. If a shepherd died, that was it and the sheep were 
     helpless. Since He died and rose again, He as God/Man is invincible & no threat can scatter & destroy 
     His flock. Such authority was delegated to Him by the Father (5:19-23). The command/charge to have 
     the authority to take His life up again after laying it down was given to Him by the Father.
 e) The Church as His flock should be awed by & reflect His sacrificial love; desire more intimacy; 
     welcome & labor for the increase of the flock; & find it’s security in the Good Shepherd’s care & 
     protection.