John • #3 & #4 of 7 "I AM" Statements

Along with the 7 signs that John emphasizes in the Gospel of John, he also presents 7 "I AM" statements, that also give us a window into the character of Jesus.

Each of these statements are uttered by Jesus Himself, and each also tells us specifically of something we need to know about Him.

For a review of the names of God, and the significance of His name "I AM", click here... NAMES

• Here is a list of all 7 of the I AM statements. They are...

► I AM #1 • I AM the Bread of Life - Jesus ELIMINATES HUNGER → John 6:26-58

► I AM #2 • I AM the Light of the World - Jesus ELIMINATES DARKNESS → John 8:12-9:5

► I AM #3 • I AM the Door of the Sheep - Jesus ELIMINATES DEATH & DESTRUCTION → John 10:1-10

► I AM #4 • I AM the Good Shepherd - Jesus KNOWS US → John 10:11-19

► I AM #5 • I AM the Resurrection and the Life - Jesus is the SOURCE OF ETERNAL LIFE → John 11:24-27

► I AM #6 • I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life - Jesus is THE WAY TO THE FATHER → John 14:1-6

► I AM #7 • I AM the True Vine - Because of Jesus WE WILL BEAR FRUIT → John 15:1-11

• Today I am going to cover both I AM #3 and #4. They follow one immediately after the other and are so intertwined that it seems best to look at these two facets of Jesus character in one sitting. Both of these "I AM" statements reflect attributes of a shepherd's work, both protecting and leading the sheep.

• Jesus is currently in Jerusalem. This event takes place after the healing of the man born blind. See notes on that here... MAN BORN BLIND. He is teaching them things the people are having a hard time understanding.

• I AM #3 • I AM the Door of the Sheep - Jesus ELIMINATES DEATH & DESTRUCTION

John 10:1-10 → 1“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. 2But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.

• Jesus begins this section by talking about a sheepfold. The picture I've included is just an example of what a sheepfold could look like. It could have been made from just about anything laying around. Rocks, in this case, or even branches from trees. Whatever was handy at the time. But the design would be pretty much the same every time. A walled structure, tall enough that the sheep couldn't get over, with a small door, only wide enough for one sheep to enter at a time. The idea was that the shepherd would put the sheep in the sheepfold and then place his own body, if he was alone, in the opening, or it would be manned by someone else familiar to the shepherd. Someone he would trust to protect the sheep.

3To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

• There are two primary ways sheep are moved. They are either driven from the rear, like cattle, or they are led from the front. I don't know if they still lead from the front today, but the idea was that the shepherd was so familiar with his sheep, even giving them names, and they with him, that they would follow the distinctive sound of his voice. So even if two flocks became intertwined, each flock would instinctively follow the appropriate shepherd.

6This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.

• The people Jesus is teaching are having trouble understanding what He is saying. I'm sure they don't have any issue with WHAT He is saying about sheep, but more likely with WHY.

7So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

• So now Jesus lays it out for them plainly. You are like sheep. If you enter into my sheepfold, if you become my sheep, then I Myself will sit in the opening to protect you. Thieves try to get around the door by going over the wall, and their aim is to destroy you. But I AM protecting you and seek to give you life, and that abundantly. This is pointing both toward an abundant life here and now, as well as in heaven. He's not talking about wealth, but rather about fullness, in the sense of a life spent always giving the best.

• I AM #4 • I AM the Good Shepherd - Jesus KNOWS US

John 10:11-19 → 11“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.

• Jesus talks about how a good shepherd, the one who owns the sheep, is willing to die to protect his sheep. In contrast, the hired hand sees the danger coming and takes off, leaving the sheep to fend for themselves, which they can't do, as they have no power to do so.

14I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

• Jesus again calls Himself "the good shepherd". It probably should have been "the great shepherd" or "the best shepherd" because from the standpoint of His sheep being humans, there is no one who measures up to Jesus and the commitment He has for us.

• Jesus also talks about the fellowship we can have with Him, which is the same as He has with the Father. He knows us, and loves us, to the point of being willing to sacrifice Himself for us.

16I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.

• This "other sheep" business can seem confusing. But if you remember that Jesus' primary audience is Israel, He's preparing them for the concept that He is going to incorporate Gentiles into His flock, and that we will all worship Him together.

17For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

• Jesus is foretelling everyone of the high cost of our salvation. The Son must lay down His life in order to save the flock - US! But He also is foretelling of His resurrection, and that He has the authority AND the power to do so.

19A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words.

• The division being described in verses 20 and 21. Some thinking He's either demon possessed or insane or both. Others thinking there might be something in what He's saying, as He had the power to heal the blind man.

• When we think of Jesus in this capacity, as a shepherd, it might be hard for us, at least for those of us who have never had any experience on a farm, to understand all of this. But suffice it to say, Jesus wants to protect us. He already has done what was necessary to keep us safe, in what He did for us on the cross. Our part, like the sheep, is to listen to HIs voice, and follow Him.

Photo • courtesy of FreeBibleimages.org

“Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995

by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org”