Ezekiel Kimosop Supporter

What can we learn about discipleship from what Jesus says about sheep and shepherds (John 10:1-21)? John 10:1-21 What are some insights on sheep?
John 10:1-42

John 10:1-6, NKJV, says “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them."

Jesus used this exhortation to assert His divine authority as the legitimate and true shepherd of His covenant people - those who have submit to His saving grace. Jesus suffered and was crucified. He died and rose again to redeem the sheep of His pasture. He is their true Shepherd. His divine offices of Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, High Priest, and Prophet are exclusive to Him. A pretender to these offices is rightly described as "a thief and a robber" (vv.1) and a stranger from whom the sheep would flee (v.5).

The essence of our covenant relationship with Jesus Christ is anchored on His mission as God incarnate who came to redeem sinful men and deliver them from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. These saints are exclusively Christ's. 

Colossians 1:13-14 says of Christ: "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (NKJV). Christ alone has the power to redeem sinful men to Himself and to God. No other divine agent was vested with this mandate. 

The redeemed of Christ can therefore discern the voice of Christ through His written word in the sealed cannon of Scripture and by the leading of the Holy Spirit who dwells in them (John 14:17). This is the foundational essence of Christian discipleship. 

Every follower of Jesus Christ is connected with Him under a covenant relationship that binds them to Christ and to God. A true disciple of Jesus will follow Christ and submit to His exhortations, admonitions, and edification as they grow in their knowledge of Christ. Their maturity in Christ is affirmed when they are adequately equipped and will not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:13-14). Christ is the Rock on which His church is anchored. He is a secure fortress against the tempests of the sea. 

Jesus is warning His disciples in John 10:1-21 that they should look to Jesus for their leading, edification, and their assurance of eternal life. They should shun and reject false teachers who attempt to assert their authority on the church but have no footing in Christ. Discipleship is therefore about knowing who Christ is and daily following Him in our journey of faith. We should daily discern His still small voice from the din and clutter of this passing evil world. 

It took prophetic diligence and fortitude for Elijah to achieve this feat when he heard the voice of God at Mt. Horeb. 1 Kings 19:11-13 says "Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (NKJV).

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