“ But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. “

For those of you who are new to my Bible study, I welcome you to read my series on Bible prophecy.

So far, I have completed seventeen parts.

The texts are entitled Revelation - Part One and so forth, through Revelation - Part Seventeen.

Enjoy!

Let’s continue.

Keep in mind that the Greek word “ thuras “ translated “ door “ can also be translated gate, entrance and portal. It means the same thing.

The Greek word “ thuroros “ translated “ porter “ means a gate warden, a watcher.

The Greek text reads -

“ but the one entering through the door shepherd is of the sheep.

To this one the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep the voice of him hears, and his own sheep he calls by name and leads out them.

When his own all he puts forth, in front of them he goes, and the sheep him follows, because they know the voice of him; ”

Obviously, according to the verse of our last study;

“ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. “   John 10:1

Jesus is telling us is a person who is not of “ the faith.”

Jesus interestingly seems for the moment to refer to pastors and shepherds of His flock in His next statement;

“ But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. “  John 10:2

According to God’s own rule, these pastors and shepherds Jesus refers to in verse 2 are appointed by God.

“ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: “  Ephesians 4:11-12

Since it requires entering through Jesus as the “ door “ to be saved and to be of “ the faith “, some of those who enter are appointed to certain positions within the body of Christ…including being a pastor and/or shepherd.

However, starting with verse 3 through verse 11, Jesus refers to only Himself.

In the verses of our study Jesus claims to be the porter and the voice that His sheep recognize;

“ To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.“  John 10:3-5

Jesus reaffirms this later by saying;

“ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: “  John 10:27

Jesus claims to be the door and the Savior of our soul;

“  I am the door of the sheep: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. “  John 10:9

Jesus claims to be the good shepherd;

“  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. “ John 10:11

Starting in verse 12 Jesus refers to pastors and shepherds as hired hands.

“  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. “   John 10:12-13

The Greek words “ ouk on poimen “  translated “ not the shepherd, “  means not being the shepherd.

In other words, not shepherding the flock as they should.

Jesus states a fact that is contrary to the philosophy of ministry in today’s modern evangelical society.

Jesus said clearly;

“ whose own the sheep are not, “

Notice that Jesus said a flake pastor will scatter His sheep when trouble comes;

“ seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. “  John 10:12

Jeremiah even warned pastors who scatter God’s sheep;

“ Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. “  Jeremiah 23:1-2

Isaiah did not have kind words about pastors and shepherds of God’s people;

“ His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. “   Isaiah 56:10-11

Wow! What would Isaiah say in today’s modern evangelical society!

My friend, listen up!

Jesus clearly is saying that He is the good shepherd to those of us who are His sheep.

Church leaders are hired hands that are like employees of any company…they can change in a heartbeat and lead people astray...doctrinally. Not all, but many of them are as fickle as the wind when it comes to what they believe and teach.

Unfortunately, people worship a church pastor as if he or she is some kind of a god.

I personally know people who do.

I personally know people who call their church pastor " father "...something Jesus clearly warned against!

Jesus said clearly;

"  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and ye are all brethren.

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in Heaven.

Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. "   Matthew 23:8-10

While God does appoint church leaders, they are not to be worshiped as a god…nor are they to be the object of our faith. We do not put our inner faith in church leaders.

Our faith is to be put in Jesus Christ.

He is the good shepherd of our soul.

He is the door and the porter who opens the door to anyone who enters and is the only One who can save us from our sins.

I will continue with verse 15 in the next study.

Wayne Brown