The Good Shepherd: Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice for His Flock explores Christ’s role as the true shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. This lesson emphasizes Jesus’ commitment to protecting his flock from dangers, even at the cost of his own life. The passage highlights how Jesus, as the good shepherd, stands between his sheep and the “wolf” – representing threats to their spiritual well-being. Unlike hired hands who abandon the flock in times of danger, Jesus demonstrates his deep love and dedication by willingly sacrificing himself. This teaching contrasts Jesus with false leaders who exploit God’s people and underscores the abundant life he offers to those who follow him. The lesson encourages believers to trust in Jesus’ protection and provision as their good shepherd.
PARABLES OF JESUS
By Pastor Delbert Young
The Good Shepherd: Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice for His Flock
Audio
.
WATCH SERMON VIDEO
.
The Good Shepherd: Jesus’ Ultimate Sacrifice for His Flock
Scriptures: John 10:10-21, Isaiah 40:11, Ezekiel 34:23-24, Zechariah 13:7, Isaiah 56:11, Jeremiah 23:2, Zechariah 11:17, John 10:14-16, John 10:18,
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.
(John 10:10-21)
I. Division
The scriptures tell us there was division, therefore, again, among the Jews from these sayings. Why? This teaching is a parable. How can a parable divide? Jesus only tells a story about sheep, a shepherd, hirelings, and wolves. How is this divisive? The reason for the division was this parable meant a lot more to the Jews in their day than it means to us today. The Lord said, “I am the good shepherd.” He is not like a good shepherd. He is the good shepherd.
The Good Shepherd
1. They understood
When Jesus declared, “I am the good shepherd,” He wasn’t merely drawing a comparison. He was asserting His identity as the Christ, the awaited Messiah, and the son of David. This claim was rooted in prophetic scriptures:
Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Ezekiel 34:23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
Ezekiel 37:24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
Zechariah 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered
The Good Shepherd
2. They understood the results
The Jews understood not only Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah but also His implication that they were “thieves, worthless hirelings, and even the wolf devouring and scattering.” This accusation echoed prophetic warnings:
Isaiah 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
Jeremiah 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
(NIV) Zechariah 11:17 “Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!”
Truth divides. Jesus truly is the Messiah, and they truly were and are thieves, wolves, and hirelings. Sharing the truth will usually divide even the closest of friends (Mat 10:34, 35).
The Good Shepherd
II. life, and that they might have it more abundantly
1. Conjunction and…
Jesus stated His purpose: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). This declaration emphasizes not just life, but abundant life. The degree to which believers experience this abundance depends on how fully they embrace and apply the truths of the kingdom.
Those who believe can have life, or they might have abundant life. The degree of life the believer may experience is up to the believer. To what dimensions will the believer walk in the truths of the kingdom? The more we walk in, the more incredible life is. We can have more life. This life is life to the full. Believers are to experience the full life. Because of Jesus Christ, we can have it more abundantly.
The Good Shepherd
2. thief
The “thief” in this parable refers not explicitly to the devil, but to false leaders and teachers who rob God’s people. In this context, it pointed to the Jewish religious leaders. The thief’s primary target is the word of God, seeking to steal it and render it ineffective in people’s lives.
As we saw in the previous parable about the door to the sheep, the thief to whom Jesus referred was not the devil per se. Jesus did not mention the devil in this context. The thief was/is the person who came into the sheepfold some other way than through the door, which is Jesus. Specifically, the thieves are the false leaders and teachers who take from God’s people. In this instance, the thieves were the Jews (10:19) and Pharisees. The thief is the devil in that Jesus said as he spoke to the religious leaders, Ye are of your father the devil (Joh 8:44).
What does the thief come to steal? The answer is the word of God. The thief is any belief taking from people the word of God. We can believe we are better off without receiving Jesus as Lord. The thief has taken the scriptures. He has stolen abundant life. We can believe Jesus is Lord, but if we also think we do not need the word of God in our lives, the thief remains successful.
Believers can have life but not abundant life. This thief will make the word of God of none effect (Mar 7:13). By stealing the word, the thief will steal the light, the truth, the way, and most of all, the abundant life. The dimension in which we experience abundant life is the same in which we apply the word of God.
III. Emphasis of parable
The parable’s central theme is Jesus as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. This sacrificial act is mentioned five times in John 10:11-18, underscoring its significance. Jesus’ willingness to become the “Lamb of God” and face the “wolf” ensures protection and abundant life for His flock.
This parable emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the good shepherd who laid down his life so you and I could have life and that we might have it more abundantly. Five times Jesus speaks of laying down his life (Joh 10:11, 15, 17, 18). Jesus said, the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (Joh 10:11). He said, I lay down my life for the sheep (Joh 10:15). Again, I lay down my life, that I might take it again (Joh 10:17). Again, I lay it down of myself (Joh 10:18). Once more, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again (Joh 10:18).
The Good Shepherd
He does not say he might lay it down. It was a given. He would stand between the sheep and the wolf, allowing the wolf to attack, kill, and feed on him. The wolf comes. Rather than allowing the wolf to steal, kill, destroy, catch, and scatter God’s flock, the Lord laid down his life to protect the sheep. He became the Lamb of God, the sacrifice.
1. Judaism
I want to give us a thought. Had Jesus not laid down his life, the only way any of us could know God is through Judaism. We would be doing animal sacrifices and needing to go to Jerusalem three times each year to worship. Jesus did not allow the wolf to devour us. The good shepherd will stand between the sheep and the attacking wolf. The wolf is coming to feed. The wolf will kill something, and Jesus allowed the wolf to feed on him as the Lamb of God so you and I can have life and, if we want, have life more abundantly.
2. Wolf
The wolf is that which comes to kill and destroy. It will attack our health, finances, families, work, and minds. In Christ, we can defeat all wolves. Anything coming against me must get past him through his laying down his life. No matter what your wolf is, it is defeated because Jesus is the good shepherd. If we apply his teachings and walk in them, they will stand between the attacking wolf and you and me.
The Good Shepherd
The good news and glad tidings are that through Jesus, anyone can experience abundant life. It matters not what dark and horrible existence one has experienced. Jesus came to give life. All one must do is go to him, receive him as Lord and Savior, and then apply his teachings and ways to life. Life, and that more abundantly, is guaranteed when we accomplish this.
Too often, we hear about all we will get when we die. We hear of mansions and streets of gold and no more tears or dying. These may be relevant to me one day, but today, I need abundant life and not abundant death.
IV. I am the good shepherd (pastor)
Pastor The Lord said I am the good shepherd. The word translated good shepherd is the Greek word poimen {poy-mane’}. It is precisely the same Greek word translated as pastors in Ephesians 4:11. Jesus is the good pastor.
A. HIRELING
1. Hired or employed
The hireling is simply a person hired. In the setting of shepherding, the owner employs the hireling to shepherd the sheep. Jesus, speaking of the hireling, said, whose own the sheep are not. There is a difference when the shepherd owns the sheep. The hireling is hired or employed.
The Good Shepherd
2. leaveth the sheep
The hireling has no intention of remaining with the sheep. This leaving is especially true when the wolf comes. But there are other reasons the hireling will leave. Many times, the hireling will be looking for a better hireling position. The hireling will always have his or her eyes open for a better-paying shepherding job. The hireling will leave the sheep because “he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep” (10:13). Though he does not care about the sheep, he does care about his gain. Because of this, today’s church developed the voting political system discussed next.
Another reason the hireling will leave is the political process in today’s church system. The system votes in and votes out the shepherd. Most church systems today encourage the hireling mentality. Many genuinely called by the Lord to be pastors are made into hirelings by the system. A person cannot correctly pastor the flock when they must play politics to maintain employment.
It is different now than it was when I was a denominational pastor.
A denominational pastor can always pack up and go to another church. In the denomination, I was the pastor but not responsible. However, in a scriptural church, the pastor is responsible. When responsible, one does not simply pack up and move to the next church. There is a much deeper care for the sheep.
It is a fact. The hireling will leave. It is in his or her plans or the system he or she is within.
The Good Shepherd
Results of the hireling
the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep
When there is no true shepherd, the wolf can catch the sheep. The wolf can kill and devour the sheep. Removing the shepherd from the flock always brings suffering. Destruction comes to some of the sheep—some of the sheep scatter. No good thing can happen when the shepherd is a hireling.
B. THE GOOD SHEPHERD
1. the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep
King David fought the bear and the lion to protect his sheep. Jacob protected his and Laban’s sheep. The apostle Paul suffered countless times to protect the flock of God. Jesus laid down his life. How does this equate with today’s good pastors? Any pastor desires to avoid literal crucified if possible. However, if necessary, this must figure into the price. Today’s application is that the pastor must put shepherding first. It could mean quitting a good-paying job to pastor a not-so-good-paying church.
The Good Shepherd
It might mean giving a house to the kingdom to provide a place for the sheepfold, living in a not-so-nice house, driving for hours to minister to the people, or uprooting and moving one’s family. Nothing is more critical than shepherding the sheep.
Giving his life means the people must be first.
There have been many and will be many times when I wanted to do something important to me, but the people needed their pastor. The pastor must put off or forget their desires. Doing this is not difficult for a true pastor/shepherd. It is an honor and privilege. This reason is why the Lord gives me the liberty he gives me. He knows I will lay down my desires when I need to minister to his people, and I will do an excellent job.
But Jesus is the good shepherd who gave up his life for the sheep. We know Jesus did this to the ultimate. He was crucified so his sheep could experience abundant life.
The Good Shepherd
2. know my sheep and am known of mine
a. he knows us
The good pastor and the sheep are acquainted. The shepherd knows the sheep, and the sheep know the shepherd. The shepherd knew each sheep in his flock and named each sheep. The Lord knows each sheep, and each sheep knows him. How wonderful this is to grasp. The Lord knows me and desires I know him.
We may ask, “Well, how well can he know me, and I know him?” The Lord compared the dimension of being acquainted with his sheep to the dimension in which he and the Father know each other.
(NIV) John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me –
John 10:15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Our relationship with the Lord can be just as the relationship between the Lord and the Father. We can indeed have a relationship with God through prayer, his word, teaching and preaching, and fellowship. We can know his voice, his mind, and his ways. Also, we can know His Spirit.
The Good Shepherd
b. other sheep I have
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.
The Lord said he had other sheep which are not of this fold. This reference is to the Gentiles who would soon begin to join God’s flock. The Gentiles would hear his voice and come.
Allow me to share one crucial eschatological point for our theologians. The Lord said there would be one sheepfold and one shepherd. As Jesus Christ is the one good shepherd, there is also one sheepfold. There is a doctrine saying the Jews are superior and God has a special place for them in the kingdom, i.e., the fold. This doctrine is not valid. The Jews will not have a special sheepfold separate from the Gentiles. There is neither Jew nor Gentile (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11).
That is not to say God does not love the Jew. It is to say he loves the Gentiles equally. There is no one more important than you. He is the respecter of no man. He knows you, and he loves you.
No matter what the wolf is coming to devour, the Lord will lay down his life. For his disciples, the wolf was a religious system condemning and devouring. Jesus rebuked their system, saying, Woe unto you hypocrites (Mat 23:13-32). Jesus said, their generation shall not pass before it was laid desolate (Mat 23:36-38; 24:34). Jesus told them God took the kingdom from them and gave it to the people who would bring forth the fruits (Mat 21:43). The wolf came. Rather than allowing it to take his sheep, Jesus laid down his life.
The Good Shepherd
It is the same for you and me. What wolf is coming against you? Jesus has already laid down his life for you.
V. THEREFORE DOTH MY FATHER LOVE ME
John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
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.
As the Lord concludes the parable, he emphasizes again that he will lay down his life. It is as though he says, “Do you know why the Father loves me so much?” “It is because I love his sheep and am willing to lay down my life for them.” The parable emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the good shepherd and did indeed lay down his life so we can have life and have it more abundantly.
Jesus did not come to be accepted by the Jews and to fix Judaism. He came to fulfill the law (Mat 5:17), Which means he came to end it by fulfilling it. To do so, he must be rejected and die (Isa 53:1-12). The shepherd must be smitten (Zec 11:17). The Old Covenant decayed and vanished away (Heb 8:13). The New Covenant is to bring you and me “life, and that we can have it more abundantly.” No one took his life from him. He laid it down.
Jesus concludes by explaining the Father’s love for Him: “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again” (John 10:17). This voluntary sacrifice is the ultimate expression of the Good Shepherd’s love and the basis for abundant life for all who believe.
The Good Shepherd audio video notes
The Good Shepherd audio video notes
Other Related Sermons:
Time What Do I Need to Learn part 2
Psalms 23 Psalms Sermon Study Audio
Pharisees Wolves And Vipers – audio
Also see: