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John 10:11 - The Fourth I AM; Jesus is The Good Shepherd.

John 10:11 - The Fourth I AM; Jesus is The Good Shepherd.

John 10:11 (ESV) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays 
down his life for the sheep.  

INTRODUCTION

One of the distinctives of the Gospel of John is its series of 
"I am" sayings of Jesus. Their significance is underlined in 8:58, 
in which Jesus announces that "before Abraham was born, I am!" His 
hearers understood the implicit claim, for they knew full well that "I 
am" is the Greek equivalent of YHWH, Yahweh, the revelatory and 
personal name of God that vitalizes the Old Testament. What are the "I 
am" statements in John, and how do they display the deity that Jesus 
claimed? 
*	"I am the bread of life" (6:35). Jesus is the One who sustains 
physical and spiritual life. 
*	"I am the Light of the World" (8:12). Jesus is the source of 
spiritual enlightenment. 
*	"I am the Gate for the sheep" (10:7). Jesus provides access to 
God and salvation. 
*	"I am the Good Shepherd" (10:11). Jesus lays down His life for 
us, His sheep. 
*	"I am the Resurrection and the Life" (11:25). Jesus is the 
source and giver of life eternal. 
*	"I am the Way and the Truth and the Life" (14:6). Jesus alone 
provides access to God the Father and all of the Father's good gifts to 
humankind. 
*	"I am" the true vine (15:1). Jesus is the source of spiritual 
vitality. By remaining close to Him we are enabled to bring forth fruit 
and so glorify God. [Victor Bible Background Commentary mod] 

CONTEXT

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep: John 10:1-21.

   After the clashes between Jesus and the Jews, John 10 gives 
way to Jesus' expressions of care and protection.  
   At night, sheep were often gathered into a sheepfold. The 
sheepfolds were caves, sheds, or pens fenced in by stones or branches. The 
shepherd often slept in the doorway to protect the sheep. The shepherd 
functioned as a gate, letting the sheep in and protecting them from 
thieves, weather, or wild animals.  
   Some resent that Jesus is the gate, the only access into 
God's sheepfold. But this also means that Jesus is our only protector. 
We do not need to trust anyone else to guard another gate. A hired 
hand would not be as committed to God's people as Christ is.  
   Jesus is also the Good Shepherd who cares for and protects 
his flock. He is the gate into the community of God's people. He 
provides safety and security from the thieves, weather, and wild animals 
that threaten to harm God's people. We can rest safely in God's good 
power. [One Year NLT SB re John 10:6-16] 

WORD STUDY

The Good Shepherd, The Great Shepherd, And The Chief Shepherd:

God is often pictured as a shepherd, gently caring for and 
guiding his flock.... He is called a shepherd (Psalm 23); the good 
shepherd (John 10:11, 14); the great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20); and the 
Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). [The One Year Bible Companion re 
Isa.40:11] 

What is the difference between the good shepherd in John 10:11, 
the great shepherd in Hebrews 13:20, and the chief shepherd in 1 
Peter 5:4? The good shepherd died for his sheep, the great shepherd 
conforms the sheep to his image, and the chief shepherd is coming again 
with his reward for the sheep. The good shepherd's work is finished, 
the great shepherd's work is in the present, and the chief 
shepherd's work is in the future. [The One Year Bible Companion re John 
10:11] 

As the Good Shepherd, Christ gave His life for His sheep and 
became the door to God's fold (v. 7); as the Great Shepherd (Heb. 
13:20-21), He rose from the dead to care for His sheep; as Chief Shepherd 
(1 Peter 5:4), He will come again for His sheep. [Ryrie SB] 

COMMENTARY

The "good shepherd" is a unique designation, for it emphasizes 
the willingness of the shepherd to die for his sheep. A "hired man" 
will care for the sheep only so long as it is profitable or safe. The 
good shepherd who values the sheep for themselves will lay down his 
life for them. In fact, it is in this, the laying down of his life, 
that the goodness of the shepherd is established. If it seems foolish 
to think of a man being willing to die for mere animals, however 
great his affection for them, remember this. There is a far greater 
gap between God and human beings than there is between human beings 
and sheep! The amazing goodness of God is fully displayed in this 
awesome wonder: Jesus loved us enough to lay down His life for us. If 
you ever feel like a little lost sheep, alone and frightened in a 
dark and hostile world, remember the Good Shepherd. You can know He 
loves you because He laid down His life for you. He who loved you this 
much will never desert you. In Jesus you are never, ever, alone. [The 
365-Day Devotional Commentary] 

Jesus is the Good Shepherd
   A shepherd's job is difficult. He is constantly on guard, 
watching over his flock of sheep day and night. He protects them when 
predators try to attack or thieves try to steal them away. The shepherd is 
at times tender and loving, and at other times he is strong and 
forceful. But at all times he is focused on the best interests of the 
sheep. 
   We, of course, are like sheep. Sheep are vulnerable, rather 
dumb, and tend to wander away. They can be hardheaded and stubborn. 
Sound familiar? We often think we know what is best for us, but 
invariably we end up in trouble. Jesus, the good shepherd, watches out for 
us. He speaks our name as he calls us back to safety. And he 
willingly gave up his life for us in order to give us "a rich and 
satisfying life" (10:10). If you find yourself off the path or in a fix, 
just call out to Jesus. Then stay close - follow where he leads, stay 
where he rests, and respond to his voice. There you will find safety. 
[The One Year Bible for New Believers re John 10:1-16] 

   "I am your shepherd. Few people in your society know what 
that really means; you aren't familiar with the life of a shepherd. 
But I want you to know that I sleep where you sleep. I lead you - 
even drive you - where you need to go. Unless you willfully reject 
Me, I make sure you don't stray too far from the path, though I let 
you wander freely within My pastures. When you get stuck in a ditch, 
I pull you out. When you fall into a ravine, I rescue you and heal 
your wounds. Without Me, you would wander aimlessly, scrounge for 
food wherever you happened upon it, and be vulnerable to predators 
all around you. You wouldn't survive. I spend My days and nights 
with you because it is My responsibility to care for you. You can't 
take care of yourself. You need Me.  
   "I like that arrangement. I enjoy shepherding. I develop a 
relationship with My sheep and teach you to recognize My voice above all 
others. You don't know the significance of all the places I take you or 
even why I take you there, but you can trust Me to guide you well. I 
may correct your course, but I don't punish you harshly. You're 
sheep, after all. If you understood - if you saw the landscape as I do 
- you would never stray. But you don't, and you can't - not from 
your perspective. I know your weaknesses and am patient with you, 
much more patient than you are with yourself.  
   "You need to understand that sheep don't worry about the 
future, obsess about their mistakes, or strategize their lives. And if 
you knew the heart of this Shepherd, you wouldn't either. Sheep 
follow. That's all I'm asking you to do."  
   Jesus, I know I can trust my Shepherd. You've proven that You 
will go to extremes to care for me. Help me follow You well. [The One 
Year Experiencing God's Presence Devotional by Chris Tiegreen] 

If Jesus willingly gave His life to save ours, how can we think 
He would ever keep back from us anything that would truly benefit 
us? [Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley re John 10:11] 

EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON EXPERIENCING GOD:


http://sda.biggytv.com/watch/Revive!_-_Dwight_Nelson:_Experiencing_Gods_Grace/revive/  

EXCELLENT BIBLE PROPHECY SERIES BY DR RON CLOUZET:

http://www.propheciesdecoded.com/program

SPECIAL MUSICAL DEVOTIONAL ON CHRISTIAN LIVING:
[Be sure and listen to the first devotional thought about 2-3 
minutes into the tape to get an idea of the blessings in this series.] 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c