March 18: Jesus Takes Care of Us

When I was about six or seven years old, my mother and I went with my father one night to Spears Beach in Pensacola, to cast for mullet. Dad was far up the beach. In the meanwhile we could hear cats fighting in the swamp behind us. Mother called for Dad. One of the most comforting sounds I can remember was Dad's response. I do not suppose we were in any real danger, but we were afraid nevertheless. How comforting it is to hear a friendly voice in times of need. Our Lord provides security for us no matter what the circumstances.

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

•We are safe because we are in the fold (v. 1). The sheepfold in Jesus' day was an enclosure often made from rocks being stacked to form a fence. One opening was left for a guard to ward off animal predators or even humans, unless they climbed the rock fence. Thieves may try to steal some of the sheep. Robbers were a more severe problem. They seemed to be friends, but were not. Getting inside the enclosure they pillaged the flocks, sometimes engaging in wanton destruction of the animals. The Greek word for robber implies raping and pillaging.

•However, sheep in the fold were encouraged by the familiar sound of the shepherd's voice (vv. 2-5). He always entered by the opening, called the door, of the enclosure. He could have been calling them by name as He approached. As He led them out they knew He would lead them to green pastures and waters that were quiet. If they must go by the banks of the Jordan River, lions or wolves skulking in the shadows stood no chance against the watchful eye and vengeful staff of the shepherd. He protected the fold at all costs.

•Jesus took the metaphor to a level higher as He declared Himself to be the Door (vv. 7-10). He was asserting His role as Israel's only true leader. No longer will the thieves and robbers be able to prey on and scatter the sheep. They have learned to discern the voice of the shepherd. In the security provided by the Door, they go in and out of the fold according to their good pleasure. There is a catch, however. Not everyone is a member of the flock. Only those who "hear" Jesus, that is, believe in Him, will be saved, having the option of finding green pastures.

•In the next level, the sheep are safe because of their shepherd's ownership (vv. 11-15). Jesus, as owner, calls Himself the "Good Shepherd" who gives His life for the sheep. As the "Great Shepherd" He was to be brought from the dead (Heb. 13:20), and as the "Chief Shepherd" he will someday return in glory to reward the faithful undershepherds (1 Pet. 5:4). The sheep need no longer fear being deserted by hireling ("contract") shepherds whose sole motivation was earning money. Since the Good Shepherd knows His sheep by name, the Father, who knows the Son, the Son can safely lay down His life for the sheep.

•This latter aspect rests the security of the sheep in the power of the Father (vv. 17-18). Jesus then revealed the intimate communication between the Father and Son. Jesus had the power to lay down His life and take it up again, attributes possessed only by God. Later He asserted the double security of the believer who abides in the hand of the Son (v. 28) whose hand is wrapped in the hand of the Father (v. 29). Further, He abides in us, and greater is the One within us than the evil one in the world (1 John 4:4).