The Good Shepherd

John 10:1-15

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the doorbut climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he whoenters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. Thesheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 Whenhe has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, forthey know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, forthey do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used withthem, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen tothem. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and outand find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came thatthey may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The goodshepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not ashepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheepand flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is ahired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know myown and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; andI lay down my life for the sheep.

(ESV)