By Robert Schwartz
“When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.” John 10:4 (NASB)
Have you ever been put out? Are you part of the “out” crowd in school or work or even ministry? Or perhaps you are “in” and life is good. You partaking of the “American holy trinity of wealth, pleasure, and comfort1” and it is well with your soul. Whether we are in or out Jesus has good news for us.
John 10 is the familiar story of the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. He may be good, but if you read verse 4 closely he does not sound like he is a kind shepherd. Vines dictionary provides alternate translations for this verb “put forth” (ekballo) such as “DRIVE, EXPEL, LEAVE, PLUCK, PULL, PUT, SEND, TAKE, THRUST.” The good shepherd will thrust out his sheep from the sheepfold. How can this be good? How can this be kind?
Jesus gives two reasons why it is both good and kind for Him to put us out of the sheep pen: 1) We will starve to death if we stay in, and 2) We will thrive if we follow the Shepherd out.
Many of us are content to stay in the pen where we have gates and fences to protect us. Yet the sheep who refuses to follow the shepherd out into the world for fear of the wolves will starve to death. The world is not a nice place and bad things happen out there. It is better to stay in my little bubble where I am comfortable surrounded by people like me. Yet this sense of comfort and protection is an illusion. It is the sheep pen where the thieves break in. They will steal and kill and destroy. We will be left with nothing and come to nothing.
So what is the alternative that Jesus offers? He calls us out of the sheep pen into the world, for it is here that we were created to live, not only to survive, but to thrive. Jesus leads out His sheep to find pasture. It is in this dangerous world outside the sheep pen, filled with wolves, that we thrive under the provision and protection of the Good Shepherd. Jesus gives us a choice – Thieves or Wolves. Your money or your life. We must choose. We are on our own against the thieves. He promises to handle the wolves.
I find myself lingering in the pen for fear of crossing over the threshold to a life of faith and obedience to the Good Shepherd. Yet Jesus reminds me that I am built for the open range, that though I am a weak sheep, and the dangers real, He will be with me. To remain in the pen is to die a slow death. The Shepherds’ voice will fade in the distance and I will no longer hear Him.
O Father, you lead me on and call me forth. Grow my heart to trust in Thy Great Shepherd who leads me to green pastures and holds me in His hand.
