In His Footsteps Week 16: The Good Shepherd

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In an inspiring episode of "Living Words," host Charles Vance explores the profound metaphor of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10:1-21. This week, part of the "In His Footsteps" devotional series focusing on the Gospel of John, delves into the rich symbolism and lessons we can draw from this powerful passage.

The episode begins with a prayer and a heartfelt reading of the scripture, setting a reflective tone. Charles explains that Jesus uses the image of a shepherd to vividly illustrate his relationship with his followers—highlighting his role not just as a leader, but as a caretaker who is deeply committed to their well-being.

He discusses Jesus declaring himself as "the door of the sheep," emphasizing that Jesus is the only legitimate way to salvation, offering both guidance and protection. This idea is central to understanding how Jesus differentiates himself from false leaders described metaphorically as thieves and robbers who harm rather than heal.

Furthermore, Charles elaborates on the qualities of the Good Shepherd who sacrifices for the sheep, contrasting this with the hireling who flees at the first sign of danger. This comparison brings out the depth of Jesus' commitment to his flock, underscoring his willingness to lay down his life—a theme that resonates deeply as we think about the nature of true leadership and sacrifice.

The discussion also touches on the universal mission of Jesus, referring to the "other sheep not of this fold," which speaks to his inclusivity and the expansive reach of his message beyond cultural and historical boundaries. This segment of the podcast might remind us of the importance of unity and inclusivity in our own communities and institutions, echoing some of the foundational values in broader endeavors like educational or organizational leadership, where the aim is to bring diverse groups together under a common purpose.

The episode concludes with reflective questions and prayers that encourage listeners to contemplate the protective nature of Jesus, his exclusivity as the path to salvation, and the personal significance of his sacrificial love. These themes challenge us to consider our own paths and the voices we choose to follow in our lives.

Listeners are left with a deeper appreciation of the Good Shepherd's role not just in a spiritual sense but also in practical, everyday terms, reflecting on how leadership and devotion in their own lives can be modeled after the example set by Jesus. This reflection is particularly poignant for those involved in teaching, counseling, or leading—where guiding and protecting others is a daily responsibility.

Get a copy of the In His Footsteps devotional here.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, happy Sabbath.
I'm glad you're joining meagain.
I'm Charles Vance, your hostfor this episode of Living Words
podcast.
We're currently in the In HisFootsteps devotional 52 weeks in
the Gospel of John.
We're at week 16.
This is the Good Shepherd.
I hope you'll join me thismorning.

(00:23):
Let's get started by reading theWord.
Our reading this week is John10, 1 through 21.
Most assuredly, I say to you,you know what, before we get
started with the reading, let'spray Abba, father, thank you for
this morning, thank you forthis day.
We just praise your name, webless you, we ask for your
blessing upon us.
We pray that we would walk inthe spirit and the walk, the
light, the life of the word.

(00:44):
We pray that your reading ofthe word this morning would
speak to our hearts and it wouldopen up new truth as we attempt
to follow you.
Most assuredly, I say to you hewho does not enter the sheepfold
by the door but climbs up someother way, the same as a thief
and a robber.
But he who enters by the dooris a shepherd of the sheep.

(01:07):
To him the doorkeeper opens andthe sheep hears his voice and
he calls out his own sheep byname and leads them out.
And when he brings out his ownsheep, he goes before them and
the sheep follow him, for theyknow his voice and they will by
no means follow a stranger butwill flee from him, for they
know his voice and they will byno means follow a stranger but
will flee from him, for they donot know the voice of strangers.

(01:29):
And Jesus used thisillustration.
But they did not understand thethings which he spoke to them.
And then Jesus said to themagain, most assuredly I say to
you, I am the door of the sheep.
All who ever came before me arethieves.
You, I am the door of the sheep.
All who ever came before me arethieves and robbers.
But the sheep did not hear them.

(01:50):
I am the door.
If anyone enters by me, he willbe saved and will go in and out
and find pasture.
The thief does not come exceptto steal and to kill and to
destroy.
I have come that they may havelife, that they may have it more
abundantly.
I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd gives hislife for the sheep.
But a hireling, he who is notthe shepherd, one who does not

(02:14):
own the sheep, sees the wolfcoming and leaves the sheep and
flees.
And the wolf catches the sheepand scatters them.
A hireling flees because he isa hireling and does not care
about the sheep.
I am the good shepherd and Iknow my sheep and I am known by
my own, as the Father knows me.

(02:35):
Even so, I know the Father andI lay down my life for the sheep
and other sheep I have whichare not of this fold, and them
also I must bring and they willhear my voice and there will be
one flock and one shepherd andtherefore my Father loves me
because I lay down my life thatI may take it again.
No one takes it from me, but Ilay it down of myself.

(02:59):
I have power to lay it down andI have power to take it again.
And this command, I have powerto lay it down and I have power
to take it again, this command Ihave received from my Father.
And therefore there was adivision again amongst the Jews
because of these sayings andmany of them said he has a demon
and he is mad.
Why do you listen to him?
And others said these are notthe words of one who has a demon

(03:21):
.
Can a demon open the eyes ofthe blind?
John 10, 1-21 contains the GoodShepherd discourse, where Jesus
uses the metaphor of a shepherdto describe his relationship
with his followers.
This passage is rich withsymbolism and offers profound

(03:42):
insights into his identity, hismission and the nature of the
relationship he seeks withbelievers.
After healing the man bornblind and facing interrogation
by the Pharisees in John 9,jesus continues to teach and
reveal more about his divinerole.
In this discourse, he contraststhe behavior and motivations of

(04:03):
thieves and robbers, falseleaders, with the good shepherd,
who enters by the gate and isrecognized and followed by his
sheep, with the good shepherd,who enters by the gate and is
recognized and followed by hissheep.
Now here's the theologicalsignificance Jesus as the good
shepherd.
Jesus identifies himself as thegood shepherd, emphasizing the
intimate knowledge he has of hissheep and his willingness to

(04:24):
lay down his life for them.
This metaphor speaks to hiscare, guidance, protection and
sacrificial love for hisfollowers.
Jesus as the gate.
By claiming to be the gate forthe sheep, he introduces another
metaphor suggesting that he isthe only legitimate way to enter
into a relationship with Godand find salvation, and this

(04:46):
highlights exclusivity in thepath to eternal life and safety
found only through him.
The Shepherd's Sacrificial Love.
His declaration that he laysdown his life for the sheep
contrasts sharply with the hiredhand who abandons the sheep in
the face of danger.
This points to the atoningsacrifice of him on the cross,

(05:07):
underscoring his deep love andcommitment to our redemption.
Recognition and Response.
Underscoring his deep love andcommitment to our redemption,
recognition and response.
The sheep recognized theShepherd's voice and follow him,
reflecting the deep personalrelationship between Jesus and
his followers.
This symbolizes the believersability to discern his guidance
through the Holy Spirit and theimportance of obediently

(05:27):
following his lead.
Unity of the flock Jesusmentions other sheep not of this
fold, that would be the losttribes, indicating his mission
to bring unity among allbelievers, regardless of ethnic
or cultural backgrounds.
And this foretells theuniversal scope of the gospel,

(05:53):
transcending Jewish boundariesto include everyone.
Division among the hearers.
As with many of his teachings,this discourse causes division
among the listeners,highlighting the varied
responses to his identity andclaims.
It underscores the necessity offaith to truly understand and
accept his message.
So here are some lessons thatwe can gain from this passage

(06:14):
Jesus as the exclusive path tosalvation and the shepherd's
protective care.
He declares himself both thegate and the good shepherd,
underscoring that he is the solepath to salvation and offering
a protective care for hisfollowers.
This dual role emphasizes theexclusivity of salvation through
him and his commitment tosafeguarding those who trust him

(06:37):
, guiding them into eternal life.
John 10, 7, 9 through 11.
And therefore Jesus said againverily, I tell you, I am the
gate for the sheep.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me willbe saved.
They will come in and go outand find pastor.
The thief comes only to stealand kill.
Next is the nature of hisleadership and sacrificial love

(06:59):
as the hallmark of discipleship.
Through his self-description asthe good shepherd who lays down
his life for the sheep, hemodels selfless, sacrificial
leadership.
This not only reflects in thedepth of his love and commitment

(07:21):
, but also sets an example forbelievers, calling them to
embody sacrificial love in theirdiscipleship and relationships,
mirroring the shepherd's carefor his flock.
The importance of recognizinghis voice the analogy of sheep
recognizing and following theirshepherd's voice serves as a

(07:41):
metaphor for the intimaterelationship Jesus seeks with
his followers.
It highlights the importance ofbeing attuned to the guidance
of Jesus, distinguishing hisvoice from false teachings and
distractions, following him withtrust and obedience.
Here are some questions thisweek.
What aspects of Jesus being thegood shepherd resonate most

(08:04):
with you and why?
Well, for me it's theprotectiveness.
He is the good shepherd.
He's not going to leave you,he's going to watch over you and
protect you from the wolves.
He's made that assurance.
And you and protect you fromthe wolves.
He's made that assurance andyou can rest on it.
How does understanding him asboth the shepherd and the gate
affect your perception of hisrole in spiritual life?
That he is the only way, I amthe way, the truth and the life.

(08:27):
That there is no other path tohim, to the Father, except
through Jesus?
You cannot claim to be afollower of God yet deny the
Messiah.
It stands in contradiction tothe Word and the truth.
Reflect on the significance ofhis willingness to lay down his

(08:52):
life for the sheep, and how doesthis love influence your
relationship with him?
It defines his love that hewould lay down his life and he
had the power to take it backagain.
He's the only one that canraise you up on the last day, up

(09:16):
on the last day.
The varied responses to hisdiscourse reflect diverse
attitudes toward his identityand message.
And how do you navigatediscussions about Jesus in
context of mixed beliefsHonestly.
First off, I think it'simportant to note that it's not
our obligation to go out andsave every soul.
I just don't believe that way.
Okay, I'm not Calvinist.

(09:39):
I'm also not Armenian.
I'm neither of those.
I just follow Jesus and Ifollow Yeshua HaMashiach.
When I'm in a room of mixedbelief, I'm not going to cast my
pearls before the swine.
I'm not going to allow his nameto be mocked.
So, first off, if there's notan openness for somebody to hear

(10:00):
about other faiths orunderstandings certainly if
you're a Buddhist or an atheistor whatever you are, if you
don't believe in Christ I'm notgoing to be confrontational
about it that doesn't solveanything.
So, if there's not an openheart, I'm not going to say
anything.
Probably, and that's not hidingit.

(10:21):
He says don't hide your lightunder a bushel.
Well, don't hide your lightunder a bushel, but also don't
cast your pearl before swine.
So it's a balancing act and youhave to follow the Spirit and
he'll direct you.
Here's some prayers.
Dear Lord Jesus, our GoodShepherd, we come before you
with grateful hearts for yoursacrificial love and unwavering
care.

(10:41):
We come before you withgrateful hearts for your
sacrificial love and unwaveringcare.
Teach us to trust you moredeeply, knowing that you lead us
beside still waters and restoreour souls In moments of fear or
uncertainty.
Remind us that you are with us,guiding and protecting us every
step of the way.
Help us to rest in the securityof your fold, confident in your

(11:03):
sovereign care and provision.
Amen, heavenly Father, in aworld filled with many voices
and distractions, we ask for thegrace to recognize and follow
the voice of Jesus, our shepherd.
Sharpen our spiritual ears todiscern your truth and direction
amidst the noise.
Strengthen our commitment tospend time in your word and in
prayer, cultivating an intimaterelationship with you.
May we be obedient sheep, quickto listen and swift to follow

(11:27):
your lead, guided by your Spiritin every decision and action.
Amen, holy Spirit, you havecalled us to emulate the
sacrificial love of Jesus, ourGood Shepherd, who laid down his
life for us.
Empower us to love others withthe same selflessness and
devotion, looking not only toour own interests but also to

(11:49):
the needs of those around us.
Inspire us to acts of kindnessand service that reflect the
heart of Jesus, building up hisbody, the church, and extending
his love to a hurting world.
Teach us to bear one another'sburdens, embodying the unity and
diversity of your kingdom withgrace and compassion.
Amen.
I hope this has been a blessingto you this week.

(12:10):
I pray you can find words inhere and truth from the
scriptures to help you as youhave your challenges and
tribulations through the week.
Know that the good shepherd iswith you and that he laid down
his life for you and he'sprotecting you.
Have your challenges andtribulations through the week.
Know that the good shepherd iswith you, that he laid down his
life for you and he's protectingyou and watching you and
keeping you Amen.