The Sheepfold 

John 10:1-4 KJV 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

In the beginning of John 10 Jesus makes these statements about the door and the shepherd. Then He says this later in the chapter. 

John 10:9-11 KJV 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

So Jesus tells the parable then identifies Himself as the door and the shepherd. He says something in verse 9 that’s puzzling. He says, 

“By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Why would we go out of the sheepfold once we’re in the sheepfold? 

John 17:15-16 KJV 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

This is where we get the phrase that we must be in the world, but not of the world. Then Jesus says this. 

John 17:20 KJV Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.

This is why we have to be in the world. We are to spread the Word of God that others may believe and become part of the sheepfold. 

What about the part of John 10:9 about finding pasture or as some translations say find food. Jesus even says in verse 4 He brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (John 10:4 NHEB). Why would Jesus lead us out of the sheepfold to find food? Let’s look at the next verses for understanding. 

John 4:32-34 KJV 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. 33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Jesus said that His meat or food is to do the will of God. What is and isn’t the will of God? This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:40 KJV).

The Lord is…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9 KJV). 

Reaching for the lost. That’s the will of God. This is what Jesus was doing when the disciples approached Him at the well. He was reaching for the lost. Reaching a lost soul can feed your soul.

This is what we should do. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV). Remain in God’s love as you look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, which brings eternal life. Show mercy to those who have doubts. Save others by snatching them from the fire. To others, show mercy with fear, hating even the clothes stained by their sinful lives (Jude 1:21-23 ISV). Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2 KJV). Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins (James 5:20 KJV). 

Simply put, live for God and reach the lost. Follow the great Shepherd Jesus and try to add more souls to the sheepfold. 

Matthew 10:16 KJV Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.