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The Door, The Thief, and The Good Shepherd

I am the door…I am the good shepherd

Lesson Ten
John 10:1-41

Background:

Timestamp – (10:22) After the Feast of Tabernacles (Tishri – Sept-Oct), near or during the eight-
day Temple Dedication in the month of Kislev (December). The dedication celebration, known
as Hanukah, is a tribute to the Jewish family of the Maccabean clan when they defeated the
Seleucid King (Persian), in 167 B.C., after he invaded Jerusalem. Matthias Maccabee, a Jewish
priest and his five sons cleansed the temple after it was defiled and spoiled by the Persians.
Restoring the temple altar required firing the oil in the menorah lamp. Only a day’s portion of
oil could be found, and it would take eight days to make new oil. The single portion of oil
supernaturally lasted eight days and a celebration to rededicate the temple was established on
the eighth day.

Parable Themes – This chapter is parabolic, using metaphors associated with common objects
or occupations to explain characteristics of the Son of God (God actively present on earth). When read
the content is parallel to an orientation for new disciples provoked by the truth to believe Jesus
was the Christ despite the threats assailed against them. The imagery used to diagram the
relationship between the new followers and their new leader is intended to bond them
together as a symbiotic (continuous interaction between two different living organisms) unit as illustrated
in the bond between Shepherd and Sheep.

One object and one occupation are chosen to explain the role of their new leader. The object
selected is a door a symbol for entry and exit and for establishing a threshold. The occupation
selected depicts the new leader as a shepherd demonstrating His authority to oversee a
population of living creatures and the ability to care for them.
The new followers are depicted as sheep mindful of the corresponding characteristics
associated with the livestock that are also directed toward them.
The parabolic metaphors include a description of the adversary labeled as a thief and robber,
prepared to disrupt the relationship between the followers and leader.
The Pharisees were witnesses of the oral orientation and heard statements that would draw
the new Jewish followers away from the influence of religious elders and their questionable,
misrepresentations of truth.

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