The Good Shepherd

OCTOBER 3, 2026

Today we look at Jesus as the Good Shepherd

SCRIPTURE COLLECTION

Today's Scripture Passage

 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 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. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

John 10:1-18

Related Scriptures:

Hebrews 9:11-12; 10:4-7

Matthew 20:28

Romans 3:251

John 2:2; 4:10

Notes & Reflections

This passage flows out of chapter 9. Jesus is pointing out the problem that Israel was being continually led by false shepherds. These were men who were leading them astray from the truth of the kingdom and the coming messiah. So, now Jesus calls himself the "Good Shepherd." He is the Shepherd sent from the Father and not a shepherd who is self-appointed or self-righteous. 

He points out that these false teachers were like men who sneak in to harm the sheep. They are robbers and thieves. He tells them that only the shepherd's sheep listen to his voice and he calls them by name.

Jesus then makes a slight change in his imagery. He uses another I AM statement and calls himself the gate. Not only does Jesus lead His sheep; He's the entrance to the pen. He is the only way to the Father and to salvation. 

Apart from believing in Jesus, a person has no way to be His sheep or to be saved and reconciled to the Father. Any teacher that leads men and women away from Christ are like those who allow wolves to attack sheep; they are leading them away from salvation and not into it. 

This salvation is offered to both the Jews and the Gentiles. It's available to everyone that obeys the voice of the Shepherd and trust him through faith.

Theology Deep Dive: Penal Substitution 

In verse 11, it says,

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

On the cross Jesus died in place of sinful man. Deuteronomy 21:23 says that those who are executed on a tree are cursed. Christ took on this cursed position when he died on the cross. The reason he did this was to take our curse on himself as a substitute. 1 Peter 3:18 says he died, the just for the unjust, so that he might bring us to God. 

The Father loved the sheep and sent His only son in order to satisfy His holy justice. His son took the punishment we deserved and, in that moment, we were free. The holiness and love of God are clearly seen at the cross.

Is Expiation the Same as Propitiation??

They are definitely related, yet they aren't the same. When it comes to expiation, we are dealing with the atoning of our guilt of sin and the cancelling of it.  Propitiation, on the other hand, has to do with satisfying the wrath of God. 

Study Questions

QUESTION 01

What do you see about Christ that is worth admiring today in this passage?

QUESTION 02

How do false teachers affect your life? Can you recognize the real shepherd's voice?

QUESTION 03

How does substitutionary atonement help you with doubts when you fall into sin?

How To Cling Today

Cling to Christ today by listening to His voice in his word, the Bible. Get to know your good shepherd and trust his work done on your behalf.