March 09, 2026 | Be Connected
Jesus the Good Shepherd
Scripture: John 10:1-21(NIV)
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
19 The Jews who heard these words were again divided. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”
21 But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Devotional
John 10 is just an extension of John 9. Same setting. Same people. Same encounter. In John 9, some Pharisees said there was no way that Jesus is from God, while others wondered if a sinner could heal a man born blind.
Jesus untangles the knotted debate. He stretches a tight rope between good and evil. Those swaying in the middle were challenged to choose which side they would walk to. Take a look.
Jesus is the gatekeeper. He opens the way to the sheep, who listen to His voice and follow Him.
But Satan is the wall climber. He slips in like an uninvited stranger, and the sheep just run away from him.
Jesus the gate. He opens the way to God’s security and salvation, providing green pastures to God’s sheep.
But Satan is the back door. He sneaks in as a thief and robber, with a goal to steal, kill, and destroy God’s sheep.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He literally lays down His life to protect His flock.
But Satan is the hired hand. He abandons and runs away from God’s sheep, because he doesn’t care about them at all.
After Jesus’ clear contrast here in John 10, the detractors doubled down, saying Jesus is demon-possessed and raving mad. But His uncertain wonderers pondered whether a demon can open the eyes of the blind.
Nobody is convinced, except those who oppose Jesus.
