30th July 2026

In John 10 Jesus presents himself to his disciples as a good and faithful shepherd who selflessly and sacrificially cares for his flock, encouraging, guiding and protecting them so that they might have fullness of life. The apostle John, who, at the time of writing his Gospel, was an elderly man, had spent most of his adult life in Jesus’ service, inspiring the individual faith of many, and dutifully shepherding the congregations which the Father, through the ministry of the Spirit, had delivered into his charge. When he recounts that Jesus describes himself as ‘the Good Shepherd’ (v.14), John is aware, through his own painful experience (1 John 2:18-23; 1 John 4:1-3), that not all who enter the sheepfold, to which Jesus refers, are true shepherds, some are nothing but thieves and robbers (John 10:1).

It is true that our little, woolly, ovine friends often get a bad press, and ‘sheepish’ or ‘sheeplike’ are not labels most people would want to have attached to them. However, the fact is that sheep are highly intelligent, gregariously social creatures, capable of forming emotional bonds with humans and with fellow flock members. Sheep can remember individual voices and recognise facial characteristics, and they are capable of experiencing a range of emotions such as happiness, sadness, contentment and fear. But, for all their God-given capacities for leading healthy, joyful lives, sheep are nevertheless extremely vulnerable.

What ensures the safety and wellbeing of a sheep flock, more than anything else, is the character and sheer devotion of the shepherd. The sheep trust his leadership, and they know his voice (John 10:4). For us, the chief lesson arising from Jesus’ use of this shepherding imagery, should be clear. Following the Lord Jesus Christ, and listening for his own distinctive voice, is still the identifying mark of a Spirit-led Christian. Jesus’ sheep not only know him as their one true shepherd, but they also are known by him. For the safely guarded, gathered flock, and for each unique and treasured one, he willingly lays down his life (vv.14-15).

What a great privilege it is to be part of the new fold that Jesus has called us into, for there are others, currently lost in an alien pen (v.16), who are yet called to enter in by the one true door, which door is the Good Shepherd himself (v.7). This shepherd we can confidently follow as he directs us to safe pastures, even though we may face difficulties and dangers on the way (Psalm 23:4). He leads us, ultimately, to the heavenly paddock, to the plentiful place of life in abundance (John 10:9-10). On the Lord Jesus Christ, and on his grace alone, is all our hope founded; on him, and him alone, does all our happiness and wellbeing depend, as do the heavenly glories which await us.

Many people are aware of what the Christian church teaches, some may even know the finer points of the core doctrines of the faith, but the personally transforming message of the gospel can remain hidden from them, for it is in the Spirit-unfolded message of the gospel that the voice of Jesus, the true Shepherd of the sheep, is gracefully and welcomingly heard. His sheep hear him in truth-filled, life-giving words, and will pursue no other shepherd, and obey no other voice (vv.4-5). Why? Because, in Christ, the Father chose them (v.29), Christ himself died for them (v.11), and the Spirit of the risen Christ guides them (John 16:13).

Local congregation:
Grace Communion Peterborough
Farcet Village Hall
Main Street
Farcet
Peterborough
PE7 3AN

Meeting time:
Sunday 11.00 am

Local congregational contact:
Richard Dempsey
Email:  richard.dempsey@btinternet.com
Local church website: GRACE COMMUNION CHURCH PETERBOROUGH – Landing Page

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church