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The Good Shepherd
What makes Jesus the Good Shepherd?
In John 10:1-21, Jesus calls Himself “the good shepherd” who lays down His life for the sheep. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks one of the most beloved pictures of Christ — spoken, surprisingly, in the middle of conflict.
Jesus is not speaking in a peaceful pasture but to hostile religious leaders who had just thrown out a man He healed. Against their failure, Jesus presents Himself as the true Shepherd who both feeds and protects His flock — and who, unlike a hired hand, willingly dies for the sheep. He also speaks of “other sheep” not of this fold: the Gentiles He would gather. Dr. Holt notes that the sheep know their Shepherd’s voice and follow Him, and closes with C.S. Lewis’s famous point that Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord.
Questions this study answers:
1. What does a shepherd do? A shepherd both feeds and protects the flock. Jesus does both perfectly, unlike the failed leaders of Israel.
2. Who are the “other sheep” not of this fold? The Gentiles — people of every nation whom Jesus would also gather into one flock under one Shepherd.
3. What does it mean to be Jesus’ sheep? It means knowing His voice and following Him, and being kept safe by a Shepherd who laid down His life for you.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” — John 10:11 (NKJV)
Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.
Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the John Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.
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By Dr. Toby Holt | New Geneva Theological SeminaryWhat makes Jesus the Good Shepherd?
In John 10:1-21, Jesus calls Himself “the good shepherd” who lays down His life for the sheep. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks one of the most beloved pictures of Christ — spoken, surprisingly, in the middle of conflict.
Jesus is not speaking in a peaceful pasture but to hostile religious leaders who had just thrown out a man He healed. Against their failure, Jesus presents Himself as the true Shepherd who both feeds and protects His flock — and who, unlike a hired hand, willingly dies for the sheep. He also speaks of “other sheep” not of this fold: the Gentiles He would gather. Dr. Holt notes that the sheep know their Shepherd’s voice and follow Him, and closes with C.S. Lewis’s famous point that Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord.
Questions this study answers:
1. What does a shepherd do? A shepherd both feeds and protects the flock. Jesus does both perfectly, unlike the failed leaders of Israel.
2. Who are the “other sheep” not of this fold? The Gentiles — people of every nation whom Jesus would also gather into one flock under one Shepherd.
3. What does it mean to be Jesus’ sheep? It means knowing His voice and following Him, and being kept safe by a Shepherd who laid down His life for you.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” — John 10:11 (NKJV)
Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.
Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the John Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.