Although I have never tended sheep, I think that the concept in the verse below makes sense, even coming from a “non-herding” background. After all, when you get home, you probably unlock the door to your house or apartment and go inside. If someone tries to get into your dwelling (and the doors are locked), they’re likely to break in some other way.
“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.
John 10:1 NIV
Some years ago, my family and I locked ourselves out of the house, so we had to call a locksmith. After he picked the lock to the door from our garage to our house in seconds, we were impressed, and suggested that the lock wouldn’t provide much deterrence to thieves who could also pick locks. The locksmith said no, most thieves would just break a window!
If you belong somewhere, you come in the normal way:
- In many cases, your key unlocks the door
- Or, maybe your keycard unlocks the entryway at work
- At the gym, you might show a card or ID to be allowed to use the equipment
- At some apartments, the doorman lets you in
On the other hand, if you don’t belong somewhere, you typically don’t even come in the main door, but try to sneak in some other way, whether through a window, over a fence, inside the loading dock, or – at least, in the movies – breaking through a wall after you’ve dug a tunnel up to the basement.
It sounds like a sheep fold was the same way in Jesus’ day. The next few verses after the one above (John 10:2-4) describe what it looks like for someone who belongs with the sheep. Their shepherd is not only recognized by the gatekeeper, but the sheep know him as well.
Doing some online research, I found the following in a blog about raising farm animals:
“Sheep are instinctively conditioned to recognize and trust the voice and scent of their shepherd. As they are social animals, they naturally form a bond with one particular person who cares for and protects them, leading to the sheep obeying and following only their shepherd.”
[“Why Do Sheep Only Obey their Shepherd?”]
I like that this article points out that the sheep have learned to trust a shepherd. It’s not like they merely “imprinted” on the first voice that they hear (like baby birds imprinting on the first face they see, even if it doesn’t have a beak), but rather the result of a trust that has been built up.
Conversely, as we learn in verse 5, just as a robber can be identified by trying to get in the wrong way, the flock of sheep’s behavior also identifies when someone who is not their shepherd tries to lead them.
If you have a relationship with the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, I’d like you to think of yourself as one of His sheep, as I review some “Key Takeaways” from the farm animal blogger that I mentioned previously:
- “Sheep are social animals that form close bonds with other members of their flock.”
- “The special relationship between a shepherd and their flock is built on mutual trust and respect.”
- “To earn the trust of their flock, a shepherd must spend time with them and provide consistent care.”
- “A good shepherd must be a strong and reliable leader while also being gentle and patient.”
- “The sheep follow their shepherd willingly because they believe he or she will keep them safe and provide for their needs.”
- “The relationship between a shepherd and their sheep teaches us about the importance of trust, leadership, and establishing strong relationships built on mutual respect.”
Does that sound about right for our relationship with the Good Shepherd?
From Sunday School lesson prepared for January 14, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, January 14, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – John, by Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause. © 1998 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 