I could not help but hear the echos of Psalms 23 as I read this chapter of John. King David had written that song long before Jesus said these words, but feeling is the same. A feeling of Love and Deep Caring! But also a feeling of Security and Awesome Strength.
It is not very clear how long a time passed between the end of Chapter 9 and the beginning of Chapter 10. We know that Jesus is still in Jerusalem as He speaks to those who come to Him. He is still unhindered by the Jewish leadership even though they surely have not given up their hatred towards Him. Although verse 22 mentions the Feast of Dedication that took place roughly 2 months after the Feast of Tabernacles celebrated in chapter 9, it's not clear whether the first 21 verses of the chapter are during that time as well or were said earlier. But, regardless of the timing, the message of Jesus is very clear and comforting to His followers.
This chapter is full of references to sheep and the Shepherd. Jesus makes it clear that He is the Good Shepherd and that those who believe He is the Son of God are His sheep. His sheep know Him and respond to His words. They come to Him and are cared for by Him. He lays down His Life for His sheep to save them. And then He takes up His life again to lead them into Eternal Life (life more abundant). He also lets it be known that no one can take these sheep away from Him. God the Father Himself protects them and no one can take them out of the Father's Hand! Once we decide to follow the Good Shepherd our salvation is assured. In Matthew 18 and Luke 15, Jesus assures us that even if we stray away, Jesus will come and find us and bring us back rejoicing!
What a comfort these words must have given to the people who heard them then! And what a comfort they bring to us now as we read them. I love the fact that Jesus makes sure that those who read His words later would realize that the words are for them as well. In verse 16 He talks about His "other sheep". "Them also must I bring" He says. Jesus also goes on to say "And there shall be one fold and one shepherd". So we have been given this assurance too: that no matter what divisions there are here on earth, divisions according to doctrine or nationality or worldly situation, we are considered one flock by Jesus and His Father. What a wonderful promise of unity that will be ours as Christians one day!
The Lord is My Shepherd and I shall not want... Whether we are pasturing in peace and comfort by the Still Waters or having to walk through the dark Valleys of sadness and hardship, we know that He is watching over us. He leads and guides and protects us through it all as a Shepherd does His sheep. And if we happen to go astray and lose our way, then He comes looking for us to save us from whatever situation we have gotten ourselves into, just as a Shepherd disentangles a sheep from the briars at the edge of a cliff. This is the comfort that everyone has once they accept Jesus as the Lord of their lives and the Savior of their souls.
With His nail scarred hands outstretched to us, Jesus says "I am the Good Shepherd..."