John 10:1-21 (Amplified Bible)
1I ASSURE you, most solemnly I tell you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way (elsewhere, from some other quarter) is a thief and a robber.
2But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.
4When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call.
6Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about.
7So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep.
8All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them.
9I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.
10The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
11I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.
12But the hired servant (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the flock].
13Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not himself concerned about the sheep [cares nothing for them].
14I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me--
15Even as [truly as] the Father knows Me and I also know the Father--and I am giving My [very own] life and laying it down on behalf of the sheep.
16And I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring and impel those also; and they will listen to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be [they will become] one flock under one Shepherd.
17For this [reason] the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life--to take it back again.
18No one takes it away from Me. On the contrary, I lay it down voluntarily. [I put it from Myself.] I am authorized and have power to lay it down (to resign it) and I am authorized and have power to take it back again. These are the instructions (orders) which I have received [as My charge] from My Father.
19Then a fresh division of opinion arose among the Jews because of His saying these things.
20And many of them said, He has a demon and He is mad (insane--He raves, He rambles). Why do you listen to Him?
21Others argued, These are not the thoughts and the language of one possessed. Can a demon-possessed person open blind eyes?
Are you listening to the voice of The Shepherd? Are you letting the thief rob you of your abundant life?
Jesus said that the sheep will flee from someone who is not the shepherd. The Scriptures warn us to be on guard against the enemy who roams about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Are you on guard against the enemy?
We cannot be on guard and recognize the Shepherd’s voice if we are not spending time in prayer and Bible Study. When we are spending time in prayer and Bible Study, we will know immediately when the alluring voice is not the Shepherd and we will be able to flee from the enemy.
The Good Shepherd has already given His life for you – his sheep. Stay close to Him. Be still and know that He is God. Spend time learning and letting Him guide you to green pastures. He loves you more than you can ever fathom.
John 3:16 (HCSB)
16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
