John 10 - Africa Study Bible

The Good Shepherd • John 10:1-12

Sheep depend totally on their shepherd. They respond to his voice or even his flute melodies. Good shepherds know the needs of each sheep. They also protect the sheep from robbers or wild animals. Here, Jesus was talking to Pharisees. They had just expelled from the synagogue a man Jesus healed (John 9:20-34). Jesus said that this healed man was one of his sheep, using the words for God’s people in the Old Testament. In the same way, Jesus is our Shepherd. Also, the Old Testament frequently refers to God as a Good Shepherd. The false leaders, by contrast, are like the false shepherds of Ezekiel 34:2-10. Jesus said that because they sneak over the wall of the sheepfold, they are not true shepherds and must surely be thieves and robbers (John 10:1).

Dishonest leaders were a problem not only in ancient times. Even today some pastors, Sunday school teachers, and other church leaders take advantage of their positions. For example, one leader told the women of his church that they would be blessed only if they slept with him. Another minister told people to leave their salaries with him so he could pray over the money and bless it. (Not surprisingly, he soon disappeared, and so did the money.) Sometimes such misbehaviour reflects poor teaching, and sometimes it is simple greed. Faithful workers need to point people to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, not to themselves. Avoid anyone who teaches in ways that contradict the teachings of Jesus. We should stay away from bad shepherds.

A shepherd is someone who takes care of livestock, be it sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys, horses, or camels. The livestock could belong to the shepherd or to another person. In traditional Basotho culture, every major ritual requires a cow. Cattle are used for paying a bride price, ploughing, and transporting heavy household items. The hide was even used to wrap a corpse for burial before coffins were used.

The Basotho have more than a thousand uses for a cow. Cattle are so important that they say, Khomo molimo o nko e metsi, meaning, “a cow, a god with a wet nose.” The phrase “wet nose” compares a cow to an unattended infant. Because cattle are so important, a shepherd who looks after cattle is distinct from shepherds who look after other animals. A shepherd of cattle manages the most important estate for any family.

In Lesotho, as was the case in Israel, shepherds walk in front of their flocks. Each cow is called by its name. A cow that has a good attitude towards the shepherd is rewarded by being ornamented with bells of various sizes fastened by a belt around its neck. This practice is very costly. A good Mosotho shepherd can lead a train of cattle along a narrow grass strip between fields planted with corn and prevent them from grazing in the cornfield by calling each cow’s name.

In a similar way, Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Jesus knows all true Christians by name and he gently calls to us to point the right way when we are about to stray. It is through encountering the Holy Spirit in worship and prayer that we learn to identify Christ’s voice. Let us listen for his call and carefully follow his guidance in our lives. We can trust our Good Shepherd as we travel along life’s path.

Fear No More • John 10:9

We all have the basic need for security and safety. Many of our homes, compounds, and villages have gates. Visitors enter through the gate, and once inside, they are safe under our protection.

But what about eternal safety? What spiritual master do we belong to? While some believe that many gates (religions) open into heaven, Jesus declared that he is the only gate that leads to heaven. No other gates lead to God. No one gets into the presence of God except through Jesus.

Just as our gates provide us entrance into the security of a compound, Jesus is the gate who provides entrance to God’s Kingdom. Those who have accepted him as Lord and Saviour have come into his home. Now they are under his protection as they continue to grow more like him. As they walk with Christ, they no longer need to fear spiritual powers, curses, witches, demons, and malicious spirits.

If you struggle with fear after you have entered God’s Kingdom through Jesus, fear no more. The salvation Jesus offers is for both our present and our future. Safety and security are yours now and into eternity. You are his precious one. Your Saviour, Owner, and Protector is Jesus himself. Unlike the gates of our compounds, which can be breached by robbers, Jesus said that no one can snatch us from his hand (John 10:28). In him, we have eternal safety.

Accepting Jesus for Who He Is • John 10:22-33

Following Jesus was very difficult for the people of his time. Jesus had performed miracles showing that he was the Son of God. Still, many found it hard to accept that fact.

In Exodus 20:3, the first of the Ten Commandments clearly says that there is only one God and his people should bow to no other. So when Jesus claimed to be God, many did not know what to believe. They refused to accept his deity because of their own interpretation of the Law. They would not recognise him as the Messiah promised by their own prophets. Although the miracles Jesus performed showed that he was God, many—especially his enemies—refused to believe. Instead, they picked up stones to kill him.

Many people and religions still refuse to accept Jesus. It is not because they doubt his power and miracles but because their traditions or religions do not allow them to believe that he is the Son of God. We need to help our neighbours, friends, and relatives see the love and compassion of Jesus before we help them to see that Jesus is God. Like the people of Jesus’ day, they do not know what to think of Jesus’ claims. Pray that they can see who Jesus truly is. Pray that they will see him as not just a great prophet but also as the Son of God.