The Shepherd’s Sacrifice for our Security

June 12, 2016

by Timothy Witmer

In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14). These words were rich with meaning to his original listeners. In addition to listeners’ familiarity with the vocation of the shepherd in their own day, they would have heard Jesus’ identification with the Lord, Israel’s shepherd. Jesus, then, declares himself to be the Shepherd-King who had been prophesied by Ezekiel and Jeremiah. Where human shepherds had failed, Jesus as God incarnate would not.

He uses shepherding imagery to describe his relationship with the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14 NIV). But who are his sheep? Jesus makes it very clear that the identifying mark of his sheep is that they hear his voice. “Hearing” is not merely auditory perception but a spiritual understanding that responds in faith. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27–28 NIV). The sheep are drawn by the effectual call of the Good Shepherd into the safety of his fold. The identifying mark of his sheep is that they hear his voice and follow him by faith. On the contrary, those who are not his sheep do not believe. The identification of the sheep as sheep is determined ultimately in the sovereign plan of God.

Jesus Cares for His Sheep

Jesus as the consummate shepherd provides for the comprehensive care of his sheep. He knows that it is not merely sufficient for them to be fed with real bread—their need is far deeper. This spiritual hunger and thirst can only be met through faith in him. “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst’” (John 6:35). His sheep will find their sustenance in him and his word as they walk with him.

Jesus not only provides for his sheep, but he calls them to follow wherever he lovingly leads them. A mark of true disciples is that they follow their shepherd. This theme is sounded in the call of the very first apostles. He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19). Jesus also emphasized that “if anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Jesus goes on ahead to prepare a place for his sheep that where he is, there they may follow.

To be secure in Christ is to be secure in the Father, and that is to be secure completely and secure forever.

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:2–6)

Jesus Dies for His Sheep

Earlier in John 10 Jesus uses familiar shepherding imagery as he refers to himself as “the door of the sheep” (John 10:7). By using this language he defines the exclusive means of entrance into the flock. “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and will find pasture” (John 10:9). Only those who enter through him will enjoy the comprehensive care that only he can provide.

All of these promises, however, are based on a unique element of his care for the sheep. Jesus describes himself as the one who “lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). While the work of the shepherd could be dangerous at times in warding off wild animals, giving up his life “must have been a fairly rare occurrence among Palestinian shepherds.”1 Ordinarily, the shepherd’s calling was not to die for the sheep but to live for the sheep. Jesus’ charge was unique, however, as he came to provide protection from the ultimate eschatological danger of condemnation for sin through giving his life as the substitutionary atonement for the transgressions of his flock. He laid down his life and was able to “take it up again” (John 10:18), his resurrection from the dead being the exclamation point on his finished work on behalf of the sheep. The comprehensiveness of his care extends through eternity and, therefore, his sheep are absolutely secure.

Jesus Secures His Sheep

The security of the sheep is seen in that “no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). The word describing the action of would-be thieves (“snatch”; arpadzein in Greek) means to “seize” or “take by force.” Any potential thieves and robbers must deal with Jesus, who has already conquered sin and death on behalf of his sheep. There is no chance that they can succeed. If this promise were not enough, Jesus reminds his listeners that to be secure in him is to be secure in the Father as well. Not only can no one snatch them out of his hand, but “no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:29). To be secure in Christ is to be secure in the Father, and that is to be secure completely and secure forever. Now that is security! Jesus is the promised Good Shepherd, and through him the sheep “will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

1 Leon Morris, The Gospel of John (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971), 509.

This piece is adapted from Timothy Witmer, The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church, (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2010), 2932.

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Timothy Witmer

Dr. Witmer (DMin, Reformed Theological Seminary) is professor of practical theology at WTS.

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