The Mystery of the Sheepfold

Notes from Bible Study with Pastor Perry Stone

John 10:1-14

Jesus stresses that He is "the door of the sheep," the "good shepherd"

Back then, the shepherd acts as the door (because hinges didn't exist back then), and for the shepherd to make sure that the sheep stay within the pen, he would sleep in front of the opening)

Matthew 23:32-33

- Jesus will separate the goats from sheep (Goats don't listen to the voice of the shepherd, whereas the sheep does)

- Sheep and goat, as long as they are small in number, they are easy to handle. But once they get too big, the goats just don't listen and cause havoc. Similarly, when churches are small, there is no contention. When the churches get big, there are members that start acting like goats. That is, they test the shepherd. They don't listen, and they stir up contention.

- Sheep can't be penned in forever; they have to get out to get fresh water and food. Similarly, Christians, therefore, cannot be penned in by denominations. Christians need to share fellowship with all Christians. Christians may not share similar opinions, but we share the same core values (Jesus Christ is our savior; we are to love God first and to love one another second) and should therefore learn and grow together.

Psalm 23:1-4

Jesus MAKES us lie down in the green pasture (i.e., Jesus leads us out to get "fresh water," just like a good shepherd leads his sheep out for fresh food and water.)

Psalms 119:105

John 16:13

John 10:3-4

Sheep is afraid of the dark; as long as there is light, sheep is comfortable; when there is darkness, fear and chaos comes in; however, as long as the sheep can hear the shepherd's voice, there will be comfort. Similarly, Jesus is the shepherd, and we are the sheep (as opposed to the goats).

Psalm 23:5

"Get the fly eggs off your head"

Shepherds would take an oil-based mixture to rub it on sheep where the flies laid their eggs. The eggs would hatch and cause infection, making the sheep miserable. By rubbing the mixture on the wound, the shepherd comforts the symptoms and also kills the fly eggs. Following Jesus, we will have our sins wiped, and He will comfort us. Like sheep, we do not know the path. Like sheep, we need a good shepherd to guide and lead us. And that good shepherd is Jesus.