Other Sheep

Day 138: John 10:1-21

"And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd." - John 10:16 ESV

Every human being on earth was skillfully crafted by God and was made in His image. This means that all people are to be treated with dignity and respect, even those living lifestyles that are in opposition to biblical teaching. Just because they are "other sheep" currently does not mean that they will not someday enter through the "gate" and be saved.

Jesus is the trusted Shepherd. He proved this by His sacrificial death and powerful resurrection. He has set Himself apart from the fake shepherds.

Our passage for today makes us wonder who Jesus is targeting with his strong language. Many believe it is yet another way of Jesus' deconstruction of the Pharisees' religious system. They were frauds, and it wasn't even close. They were not going to protect the sheep when it came down to it.

We need to know today that Jesus is always motivated by protective love.

What a great message to bring to the "other sheep" we are working to reach. One Shepherd protects our one flock, and there is no one else that will fight for us like Him.

Eugene Peterson did a great job paraphrasing verse 10 of our reading to say that "A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of."