Stay Close to the True Shepherd

Here is a scripture that can have many different applications – for our Christian walk, our church, and our own nation.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.  They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” (John 10:1-5, NLT)

The characters in the story

• First, we have sheep. (These represent the people of God.)
• Next we have a sheepfold (an enclosure that protects and shelters sheep from danger, especially at night).
• The sheepfold has a gate or door the intended way of entering the sheepfold. (After the death of Jesus, he became the Door, the only way to salvation.)
• There is a gatekeeper who stands guard over the sheepfold (only allowing those to come in who have the sheep’s best interest in mind).
• Every sheepfold also has a shepherd. (According to the Pharisees they were the shepherd/leader. But Jesus is the true shepherd, the fulfillment of what the Old Testament prophesized.)
• And finally, we have thieves and robbers (This is the Pharisees who are interested in their own personal advantage; they sought power, money, and control, not what was best for the sheep).

Application for our Christian Walk

• Christ sometimes calls us to leave the sheepfold, our place of safety. He knows there can be dangers out there, so he goes before us, leading the way and watching for any dangers we might encounter (vs. 4).
  • Are you ever afraid to leave your comfort zone? Remember, Christ is your guide and will always walk ahead of you into those situations of life, preparing the way for you. The sheep are very comfortable following the shepherd, but they won’t follow a stranger (Jn. 4:5)
  • How can I know the difference between Christ, the true shepherd, and the enemy? First, we are told that the sheep know who the Shepherd is by his voice (Jn. 4:3). It also says that He knows us personally and even knows our name (Jn. 4:3). Do you see what an intimate relationship this is? What are some things you do to get close to other people? Maybe you can apply these to your relationship with God.
  • What does the enemy’s voice sound like? The enemy’s voice is NOT in agreement with the Bible. His voice sounds condemning, accusing, shaming, and incites fear and anxiety. The enemy wants us to believe lies about our worth and the hurts of life.
  • How will we identify the voice of Christ (the true shepherd)? We will be able to know his voice when we’ve spent enough time talking and listening to him. Also, his words always align with scripture.  They sound encouraging, comforting, and forgiving.
  • What blocks the voice of Christ?  Emotions like anxiety, fear, anger, bitterness, shame, guilt, and jealousy will block the voice of God. Also, distractions like media, noise, busyness, and wandering thoughts.
  • What state of mind will help me hear Christ’s voice the easiest? If you want to hear the voice of Jesus, you will need to be in a place of ‘peace’. Here are some things you can do to find peace: (1) Forgive others; forgive yourself, or ask God for forgiveness. (2) Turn off media and noise and be still. (3) Try being thankful. (4) Breathe in God’s peace and breathe out your anxiety, fear, anger, or frustration. (5) Take calming walks in nature (God’s creation).

Application for Church Ministries:

• There are thieves and false prophets that aim to get in leadership in all types of ministries. Their purpose is personal advantage and they are often selfish, controlling, and influenced by the enemy, instead of leading for God’s glory. It’s important to have a Spirit-controlled gatekeeper to keep these type of leaders from climbing “over the gate”.
• Prioritizing prayer in your life and church will be essential. Also, accountability is important. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” (Ecc. 4:9).

Application for our Nation

• If a nation is going to thrive, it will happen if God is at their center.
• Thieves in this scripture may represent politicians who serve for their own advantage instead of serving the people they represent. Or it can come through the media, via negative and false opinions, instead of a positive and true viewpoint. Also, thieves may represent persons who wish to undermine the godly people and leaders in the country.
• “Anyone who sneaks over the wall…rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber” (Jn. 10:1, NLT) or “is up to no good” (The Message). This indicates how important it is that a country deals with people with selfish motives who are climbing across its walls, instead of coming legally through its gates.