Jesus is the good shepherd who has come to give us life by laying down his own.

The words ‘the good shepherd’ are very well known because schools and churches often use these words as part of their name. This passage, however, tells us clearly, from Jesus himself, the wonderful meaning of these words. Jesus sheep follow him because they ‘hear’ his voice. They know who he is and what he has done for them.

Jesus is also the ‘door’ or ‘gate’. It is in and through him that we enter into the new life as his disciples. Entering through him means that we are saved from the just eternal punishment which our sins deserve. We find ‘pasture’ for our souls in the constant reminder that we have been forgiven. This leads to a newness of life in continual enjoyment of what he has done for us.

We are further told that ‘the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep’. There is a wealth of meaning in these words for believers. These words are a reminder that the ransom price for sin has been paid for us, once for all time, by a substitute who was innocent. How do we become part of his flock? … simply by trusting in what he has accomplished for us, as a completely free gift, on the cross.