Scripture to Read: John 10:1–2
Jesus often taught using different illustrations and parables, and sometimes, His disciples and others who may have been listening understood what Jesus was saying. Other times, though, the illustration was too hard to understand. Remember in John 9 how horribly the religious leaders treated the healed blind man and his parents. Jesus wanted His followers to know the difference between His shepherds and those who were not His. Jesus taught the disciples about the door that His shepherds must go through to enter into the sheepfold. Jesus wanted them to understand that anyone who planned to lead His sheep must enter the sheepfold through that one door. Jesus said in John 10:1–2, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.” We must understand that in biblical times, political and spiritual leaders were often called shepherds (Isaiah 56:11, Jeremiah 3:15). Jesus was teaching His disciples that just because some were called shepherds, it did not mean they were His shepherds. Jesus said that those who were not His were thieves and robbers. Most religious leaders in Jesus’ day got their position through personal and political connections, formal education, and, of course, corruption. But those true shepherds enter by the door, for they are called by God. There are still false shepherds today, which is why we must study and know God’s Truth to discern lies from Truth.
Challenge & Application
• Why was Jesus teaching His followers about the different shepherds, and how is that important to us today?
• In light of today’s devotion, why is reading, studying, and memorizing God’s Word important?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!