“Other Sheep I Have” – Part eight

“I Known by my own” (10:14). Jesus’ stress is on knowing from personal experience. He has promised to be with those who are his (see Matt. 28:20; 2 Tim. 2:19.) Our Lord knows our minds; he remembers our frames and he suits his help and grace to our eternal well-being. The time is coming when we will hear either, “You only have I known” or “depart from me I never knew you” (see Amos 3:2 and Matt. 7:23.)

We know him as the Son of Man and the Son of God through our exposure to the Word. We become convicted of sin through a knowledge and understanding of our nature as seen in the light of that word. As we continue to search the scriptures, to “be washed in the water of the word,” we become convinced of the righteousness of God in Christ. Through the word, we have looked upon him and know we have handled the word of life. We have eaten his flesh and we have drunk of his blood, that is, we have believed on him and come to him. Wanting to be like him, we know we must develop into his likeness now.

“Other sheep I have”

The Majority Text renders verse 16 in a stylized fashion, but it may also be correct. It has, “they will become one flock,” rather than, “there will be one flock.” One phrasing describes a process; the other, the result.

At one time, the Jews were the sheep of God. When the time came for the “good shepherd” to be slain, the sheep were scattered. But this did not spell the end of the sheep. When the “good shepherd” returned from the dead, he came calling for his sheep; many were regathered into the fold. The call was extended beyond the hills of Judea, and many more sheep came. They came from other countries, and they too were allowed into the “flock.” The call continues to go forth, and more sheep come.

There may have been two folds, but the two folds have become one flock. At the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, there will be one Kingdom, which is the ultimate destination of the one flock. The reward for both is to be the same.

Through Jesus Christ, the one shepherd, that unity of Jew and Gentile will be achieved. Through Christ, it does not matter whether we are “Jew or Gentile, bond or free, male or female.” Through him, we may all be made one. Today, there are many around us who do not know the Truth. We cannot allow ourselves to be selfish and guard what we have to the exclusion of others. Rather, we must share what we have so others may have the same hope.

“I lay it down of myself”

In the Daily Study Bible Series, William Barclay translates verses 17 and 18 as, “The reason why my Father loves me is that I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own free will. I have full authority to lay it down, and I have full authority to take it again. I have received this injunction from my Father.”

The complete work of Jesus Christ is emphasized in laying down his life in order that he may take “it” up again. One step may not be considered apart from the other. “My life” becomes “it.” Jesus saw his whole life as an act of obedience to God. It did not matter if it required his own death; he knew he would be raised from death to life. To accomplish that end, he must obey the Father’s will. Any who want to be His son, must be willing to do the same in some fashion. Nothing in life worth anything may be obtained apart from a cost.

For Jesus to enjoy eternal life, it became necessary for him to face death, confidently, certain that he would overcome. To possess the glory, he had to walk the glory road; to have the crown, he must first face the cross. Isaiah described the scene as that of a “sheep led to the slaughter.” But in the case of Jesus Christ, he was not led like some dumb animal to a horrible death. He directed his life to that end. “To that end was I born.” He knew what was to happen, but that knowledge did not mean he faced the end without some trepidation. Yet in the face of real concern, Jesus laid down his life because he chose to do so in conformity to the will of his Father.

“I have power to lay it down.” The word rendered “power” may be better translated “right.” While Barclay may have it translated correctly, “authority” seems to strain the translation. Perhaps it may be rendered “ability.” “I am able to lay down my life and I am able to receive it back again.” This was accomplished by having conformed to his Father’s will throughout his entire life.

Verse 17 may also be rendered, “By this doth the love of my Father appear, that I lay down my life only to receive it again.” The love flowing from the Father to His Son does not exclude a love called forth by the accomplishment of the work of redemption. Previously, Jesus had said he knew he would “fall into the ground like a grain of wheat, in order to bear much fruit.” The entire process of redemption was under consideration. The Father appointed Jesus to die. He appointed the means and the method and the circumstances. Jesus was raised from the dead because in his life he had conquered sin. He faced every trial that could be faced but he never succumbed to his nature.

Verse 18 presents an interesting end to the parable. The sense of, “This command I received from my Father,” may also be restructured as, “My Father has commanded me, ‘This is what you shall do.” Having accomplished all that was asked of him, the sheep become his, forever.