The True Shepherd

John 10:1-5
V. 1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”
You can almost see the face of Jesus turn serious as He pronounces this truth. “Most assuredly, one of my favorite preachers says; “listen” every time he wants to get a point across. It is as if you are to sit up and pay attention, because something is about to be said that you no not want to miss. At all times our Lord speaks the truth, but when he delivers it in this manner it is either, because it is of greater importance, because man is more apt to disagree with it, or the small numbers of people that will practice this makes this truth seem hard to believe.
He spoke this truth in a way that the people would understand. A sheepfold was a fenced in area, probably rocks lined with brambles, or a natural occurring area that could have a gate placed in front of it to keep the livestock in and danger out. Christ assures us that whoever does not enter into the pastoral office through Jesus Christ are thieves and robbers in the sheepfold. As I look at the office of the pastor, I have to wonder why any one would want to do this, but there are those who would do this to just for personal recognition or gain. Some would enjoy the honor that goes along with being a pastor, or simply want to promote their own interest, or express their own believes. Jesus is saying that if they are not called by Him, and gifted by Him to do this work, they are there for their own reasons. Some are very good at deceiving many to believe that they are the real deal, but any who study the word of God are soon able to recognize their motives.
V. 2 “But he who enters by the other door is the shepherd of the sheep.”
The mark of a true pastor is that he has made a lawful entrance into the ministry by the internal call of Christ. How does one know that he is called into the ministry, do they have this flash of light or a burning bush experience? God calls each of into His service in a way that is unique to each of us, and in a way that is confirmed by the Spirit that we cannot deny. I remember my own call so clearly that several years later it remains with me as if it was yesterday. These individuals, gifted by God to do His work, have consideration only for God’s glory, and their motives are for the good of the church, the salvation of souls, doing the will of God, and sacrificing themselves entirely to the service of God.
V. 3 “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
Sir Isaac Newton observed that the Lord being near the temple, where the sheep were kept to be sold for sacrifices, spoke many things in parables of sheep, of their shepherds, and the door to the sheepfold. In the gatekeeper opening the door for the true shepherd we discover another mark of a true pastor, that his labor is met with success. The Holy Spirit opens his way into the hearts of his hearers, and he becomes the instrument of their salvation. Paul says in Colossians 4:3 “Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.” and again in 2 Corinthians 2:12 “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord.”
“The sheep hear his voice”, a further mark of a true minister of the gospel is that he speaks in a way as to instruct the people. He preaches Christ an in a way that is understandable to the people. Any who speak in a way that is above the people so as they can not understand what is being said is talking to hear himself speak. The greatest compliment I received lately is that I spoke in a way that simple and easy to understand.
“He calls his own sheep by name”, a good pastor is well acquainted with his flock. He takes care to acquaint himself with the spiritual state of all those that are entrusted to him. He speaks to them concerning their souls, and thus gets a better knowledge of their spiritual state in order to know how to instruct them, and further minister to them. One who is not acquainted with the flock is unable to lead them successfully.
“And he leads them out” A pastor leads his flock, he does not Lord over them or attempt by severity, or disciplines not found in the Gospel of Christ, to force them into a way of life, nor to drive them out of it. Many still do this which is a disgrace to the true gospel of peace. He leads them out of their lives into the life of Christ, out of the world unto the path of Christian holiness. He leads them by gentle persuasion that flows from the heart full of the word and a love for Christ, into the kingdom of God.
V.4 “And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”
“He Goes before them,” A good pastor leads by example, he not only preaches the word of God, he lives it. He enters into a relationship with God, and having explored the path of righteousness, knows how to lead those entrusted to his care. The minister, who is in a right relationship with God, has an understanding of the will of God for himself and the flock is able to lead the flock because they know his words to be true. It was the custom in the eastern countries for the shepherd to go at the head of his sheep, and they followed him from pasture to pasture. A true minister of the gospel is able to lead his flock through this life, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to become what God desires for them to be.
V. 5 “Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of a stranger.”
If anyone who is a stranger to the Gospel of our Lord, his preaching will soon give evidence to that fact. The hearts of those acquainted to the truths found in the gospel of Christ will recognize him as a thief, who has come to turn them form the truth that they have come to know. They soon cease to follow his leadership, and leave the flock or ask this leader to move on. A good leader will equip the flock with the knowledge of the word of God, but it is also up to us to be in the word, so that we are able to recognize the truth from fiction.