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

Isaiah prophesied, “Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:10-11 ESV) The Lord God came in the form of a man (Jesus Christ) and called himself the good shepherd. Continue reading →

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:7-9 ESV)

When Jesus referred to himself as the door he drew his comparison from the image of a door to a sheepfold. Many of the sheepfolds of Jesus’ day were stone enclosures with thorns and briars placed on the top of the walls. They had an open court where the sheep could sleep. The folds were built to offer protection from thieves and wolves or other predatory animals. Continue reading →