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Search on passages as Genesis 1, Lk 11:2-3 or keywords as Pray, Jesus or Golden Rule.

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Thematic Selections from the Bible

The sheep, the gate and the shepherd shown in American Standard Version

The sheep, the gate and the shepherd

In response to a question posed asking how one would know if Jesus was truly the Messiah, Jesus called his followers his sheep, and he the shepherd. He expressed that his sheep would know his voice, and would not willingly trust another shepherd. Jesus also called himself the gate to the sheep. This posed an image of Jesus guarding the door to the pen, protecting his sheep from the evil wolves preying outside the pen, as well as the thieves and robbers that might come in the middle of the night. In so doing, Jesus put himself in between his beloved sheep and the dangers of the world.

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Throughout the passage, Jesus constantly emphasizes that he is the good shepherd. A good shepherd would not only watch over his sheep, but would also feed, water, groom, shear, birth, lead and take responsibility for them. To be a good shepherd was no easy task! He would have to stay close to his precious sheep in the day, and sleep with them to protect them at night. Such was the closeness of the relationship between sheep and the shepherd, that his sheep would recognize and respond immediately to the shepherd’s voice!

Through this parable, Jesus also expressed that he would be the bridge between the world and Heaven, and that he would lay down his life of his own accord, with the authority to both lay it down and take it up again.

John 10:1-5

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

John 10:7-18

Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.

He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth :

because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me,

even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.

Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father.

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