Beth Eden Baptist Church
11121 S. Loomis
Chicago, Illinois 60643
(773) 233-6953
Rev. Dr. Craig M. Jenkins, Pastor
bethedenbaptistchurch.org
Sunday School Lesson
The Good Shepherd
John 10:7-18
Lesson: 11 May 13, 2012
The man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way is a thief and a robber. The common sheepfold in first-century Palestine consisted of a walled area uncovered at the top with only one entrance. The sheep were thus protected inside.
Any person with a legitimate reason could simply walk through the gate. Only someone who was not supposed to be there would try to enter some other way. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. “Shepherd” is used here of Christ (see v. 16), as well as elsewhere in the New Testament (1 Peter 2:25; Hebrews 13:20). The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. The picture suggests a large sheepfold where several small flocks might be kept at the same time. The fold represents the church, the sheep are the disciples, and Christ is pictured both as the door and the shepherd.
Then he has brought out all of his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. Sheep will not follow a stranger and will, in fact, run away from him because they do not recognize his voice. They will not follow the shepherd of another flock, or anyone else who might attempt to lead them astray. They know the voice of their real shepherd, and will follow only him.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. Just as there was one door into the sheep pen, so there is one way into Heaven (John 14:6; 3:16). Those who enter by the one door find security, liberty, and nurture. While the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus came that people may enjoy the fullness of life. The Good Shepherd makes it possible for the sheep who follow him to “keep on having” eternal life (10:28). In dying for them, the shepherd gives them abundant life.
Based on Christian Standard Writings
Submitted by Donna Reed
Next Week's Lesson: May 20, 2012 "The Resurrection and the Life" John 11:17-27
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