Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is
called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. (John 5:2 NAU)
The Sheep Gate is legendary. This is the gate through
which the shepherds of old would bring their various flocks inside the city walls
at night for protection from wild animals and thieves. In parts of the world,
shepherds still follow this practice today.
As the shepherds and their flocks approach the city
gates, there appears to be one gigantic, confusing mass of sheep. But as the
shepherds begin to call out in each distinctive voice to their particular
sheep, the sheep begin to follow their own shepherd.
John 10 is our favorite story of Jesus as the Great
Shepherd leading, watching over, and protecting His flock—even with His own life.
David, the author of Psalm 23, himself a shepherd, and the
son of a shepherd, later to be known as the “Shepherd King” of Israel, stated
explicitly, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” To whom did he refer? He referred to
Jehovah, the Lord God of Israel.
His statement was confirmed by Jesus the Christ. When He was
God incarnate amongst men, He declared emphatically, “I am the good Shepherd.”
But who was this Christ? Our view of Him is often too small—too cramped—too
provincial—too human. And because it is, we feel
unwilling to allow Him to have authority or control—much less outright
ownership of our lives. —W.
Phillip Keller, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (Minneapolis, Minnesota:
World Wide Publications, 1970), 15-16.
"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the
sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a
robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. (John
10:1-5 NIV)
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