23-0813a - Detailed Summary

The speaker notes that these readings set the stage for a discussion on Jesus’s identity as the great "I am," focusing on his statements in John chapter 10 about being the shepherd.

The speaker provides context on the role of shepherds in biblical times, highlighting that in an agrarian society, shepherding was a common occupation. Historical figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Abel, Moses, David, and Amos are cited as shepherds, emphasizing the familiarity of the shepherd metaphor in biblical narratives. The speaker explains how shepherds knew their sheep intimately, akin to how God knows and leads His people. This section also touches on biblical references where God and leaders are likened to shepherds, with specific mention of Numbers 27:17, where Moses prays for a leader like Joshua to shepherd God’s people, and 2 Samuel 5:2, where David is anointed to shepherd Israel. The speaker further elaborates with

Continuing from John chapter 10, the speaker discusses Jesus’s confrontation with false shepherds, notably the scribes and Pharisees, whom Jesus criticizes for not genuinely caring for the flock. The text from Ezekiel 34 is brought up to contrast false shepherds with the true shepherd God promises, who will search for, gather, and care for His sheep. The speaker then reads from John 10:11-21, where Jesus declares Himself the "good shepherd" who lays down His life for the sheep, contrasting Himself with the hired hand who abandons the sheep at the sight of danger. This passage also includes Jesus’s statement about having other sheep not of this fold, signifying His mission to bring unity to all believers under one shepherd. The reading concludes with the mixed reactions from the Jews, some accusing Jesus of being demon-possessed, while others defend Him based on his miracles, like healing the blind man from chapter 9.

The speaker suggests that Jesus’s declaration as the "good shepherd" links him directly to Psalm 23, one of the most recognized passages in the Bible. Here, Jesus is identified not only as the shepherd but also as Yahweh, the same divine figure that appeared to Moses in the burning bush, presenting Himself as Elohim, El Shaddai, and ultimately, "I AM WHO I AM" or Yahweh, as outlined in Exodus. This connection underscores Jesus’s divinity and His role as the shepherd spoken of in both Old and New Testaments.

The speaker delves into the historical and theological implications of the word "good" when applied to Jesus as the shepherd. Using Noah Webster’s 1928 dictionary, which includes scriptural references, the speaker explains that "good" in this context signifies moral excellence, validity, completeness, and perfection. This definition contrasts sharply with contemporary interpretations of "good" as merely "nice" or "likable," highlighting Jesus’s moral and spiritual perfection as the "good shepherd."

The speaker emphasizes Jesus’s ultimate act of love and commitment by laying down His life for His sheep, contrasting this with the behavior of a hired hand who flees danger. This sacrificial love is linked to biblical verses from John 15:13 and John 3:16, illustrating the depth of Jesus’s care and His voluntary act of salvation for humanity.

The speaker connects Old Testament prophecies from Micah and Zechariah about a shepherd ruler coming from Bethlehem with their fulfillment in the New Testament, particularly in Matthew, where Jesus is described as the governor who shepherds Israel. This segment also discusses how Jesus fits these prophecies by laying down His life, thus fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy about striking the shepherd leading to the scattering of the sheep.

The sermon concludes with references from Hebrews and 1 Peter, emphasizing that Jesus, through His death and resurrection, not only fulfilled the role of the good shepherd but also provided atonement for sins. The speaker underscores that Jesus’s actions on the cross and His resurrection demonstrate His authority and commitment to His role as shepherd, inviting listeners to accept Jesus as the shepherd of their lives.