We regret the oversight that kept v9 (included above) from being included in the SJT SOLITUDE SCRIPTURE SCHEDULE.

In verses 1-18 of John 10, Jesus gives (and draws conclusions from) an extensive Shepherd/Sheep “figure of speech” (v6) which he alludes to again in vs26-30. Imagine a fenced in area with a door (or gate) with countless sheep inside the pen or “sheepfold” (v1). Inside the pen, in the muck and mire, the sheep are protected from animal predators, but unable to get to the food (grass) that is outside the pen. And not only are there animal predators outside the pen, but there are also human “thieves and robbers” (v1) who would try to climb over the fence looking to steal and kill and destroy sheep. Opposite a thief, “the shepherd of the sheep” (v2) enters by the door since the “gatekeeper” knows him (v3). The Shepherd enters the pen and calls his sheep. Any of his sheep in the pen happily follow him, knowing his voice (v4). But any sheep in the sheepfold who do not belong to the calling shepherd, do not follow his voice, consider him a stranger, and run away (v5). Sheep, with their shepherd, go in and out and find pasture. But outside the pen, wolves try to snatch the sheep. And while a hired hand would flee, caring nothing for the sheep (v12), the good shepherd owns the sheep, loves the sheep, and lays down his life for the sheep. So, all sheep who enjoy the protection and rest that comes from the pen…and enjoy the freedom and food outside the pen (while being protected from wolves), have life and have it abundantly.

Not only does Jesus say, “I am thegood shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep,” he also, in v7, v9, and our Passage for Meditation, says, “I am the door (or gate).” One might have predicted that Jesus would call himself the “gatekeeper” who opens and closes the gate for the sheep who belong in the sheepfold, but by calling himself the door, Jesus emphasizes his ability to let his sheep enter by (or through) him (into God’s fold).

While it may be true that Satan endeavors to steal and kill and destroy, Jesus is likely referencing human leaders (who were influenced by Satan) when he speaks of the thief (v10). In v8, Jesus says there were multiple thieves and robbers before him, most likely alluding to multiple messianic figures who came before him and tried to lead God’s people astray. Keep in mind that the shepherding metaphor appears in other places in the Bible, repeatedly teaching that true shepherds sacrifice themselves to bring great blessing to the sheep (God’s people) while false shepherds advance and serve themselves with little regard for (and great expense to) the sheep. It is more likely that Jesus, in this extended metaphor, intended for us to understand Satan (and those spirits aligned with him) as the wolves who, like lions (1 Peter 5:8), stealthily seek to devour sheep